WEARE

About Swimming on the Piscataquog River Near Weare, NH

Tucked away in the rolling hills of south-central New Hampshire, a series of informal swimming holes along the Piscataquog River offers something increasingly rare: genuine solitude in a beautiful natural setting. This is not a groomed beach with a parking attendant and a snack bar. This is a river the way rivers used to be — unhurried, unsupervised, and entirely your own.

The Setting and Landscape

Getting here is half the charm. You'll navigate roughly a mile of unpaved dirt road, the kind that slows you down just enough to shift your mood before you ever reach the water. Dense vegetation lines the banks, creating a canopy of green in summer and an explosion of amber, crimson, and gold come September and October. Natural rapids tumble between smooth, sun-warmed rock formations that invite you to stretch out and dry off between swims. The river corridor feels genuinely wild, with birdsong filling the air and the kind of quiet that makes you realize how loud your everyday life actually is. Wildlife sightings — herons, turtles, the occasional white-tailed deer — are a real possibility, especially if you arrive early in the morning.

The Swimming Experience

The Piscataquog River rewards those willing to explore. Water depth varies considerably from spot to spot, so you can wade in shallow riffles or seek out deeper pools where the current slows and the water collects. The river runs cool and clear, the kind of refreshing that feels restorative rather than just cold. Smooth rock ledges create natural platforms for jumping or simply sitting with your feet dangling in the current. Because this is an unofficial, unsanctioned site, there are no lifeguards or safety staff on duty — swimming here calls for good judgment, awareness of your surroundings, and a sober respect for moving water. Families with strong swimmers and solo adventurers alike make the trip, often finding they have a favorite stretch entirely to themselves. As evening falls on warm summer nights, the starlit sky overhead gives the spot a timeless, almost otherworldly quality.

Plan Your Visit

There is no fee to access this stretch of the river, though facilities are not available on-site. For restrooms, picnic areas, and other amenities, nearby Clough State Park is your best resource — plan to stop there before or after your swim. The best swimming season runs from June through August, when air and water temperatures align for a genuinely comfortable experience. Fall visits from September into October trade warm water for spectacular foliage and near-total solitude. The access road is unpaved but does not require a four-wheel-drive vehicle under normal conditions; use your judgment after heavy rain. The swimming holes are accessed via the Hopkinton-Everett Recreation Area and are situated conveniently between the towns of Weare, Dunbarton, and Concord, making it easy to combine a river afternoon with a meal or an overnight stay in the region. Pack in everything you need, pack out everything you bring, and leave this quiet corner of the Piscataquog exactly as you found it.