Stinson Lake

Stinson Lake is located in the town of Rumney, New Hampshire in Grafton County, just four miles north of Rumney Village. It is unique, as it is totally surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest, and is one of the town’s most valuable and beautiful recreational areas.

The glacial lake is approximately 342 acres in size with a maximum depth of 77 feet and average depth of 35 feet. It is one of the highest elevation lakes in the state.

The first people who lived in the area arrived almost 11,000 years ago. These Native American people were made up of the following tribes: the Penacook, Winnipesaukee, Pigwacket, Sokoki, Cowasuck, and Ossipee. All spoke related dialects of the Abenaki language and today these people are known collectively as the Abenaki, which is translated as “People of the Dawnland.”

Land was not owned, but used according to custom, season and need. The Abenaki set up villages along rivers and lakes where they had access to water and could hunt and farm. The Native Americans loved the land and were close observers of nature.

In 1752, the area was visited by an expedition group comprised of four men: John and William Stark, Amos Eastman and David Stinson. The men traveled up the Baker River to hunt and explore the territory. They set up camp on a riverbank near what is now known as Stinson Brook.

While camped by the river, the explorers were ambushed by Indians. William Stark escaped, John Stark and Amos Eastman were captured and later ransomed, and the ill-fated David Stinson was killed.

Stinson is commemorated by the mountain, lake and brook which today bear his name. John Stark lived on to become a well known general in the Revolutionary War.

By the middle of the 20th century, the lake was populated with children’s camps and summer cottages for vacationers. More recently, a growing number of full-time residents, along with many part-time residents and tourists, enjoy the beautiful lake and its watershed year-round.

In addition to the lake itself with a public boat launch, there is hunting and fishing, as well as hiking and snowmobile trails.

The boat launch is maintained by NH Fish & Game and is located on Stinson Lake Road at the southwest corner of the lake by the man-made dam.

There is no public beach on the lake. The lake is regularly stocked with trout by NH Fish & Game and is a popular ice-fishing spot.