Trails are Open
Daily from 9:30am to 5:00pm, last trail admission at 3:30pm
May 1 to November 1
For 60 years, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has been a favorite destination, bringing joy, connection, and wonder to generations of visitors through the Live Animal Exhibit Trail, natural science education programs, guided Squam Lake Cruises and the vibrant charm of Kirkwood Gardens. The Science Center is Certified Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity. Plan at least two and a half hours to walk the Live Animal Exhibit Trail.
Cost: Trail rates for 2026 are $30 for adults; $28 for seniors (age 65+); $24 for youth (ages 3-15); free for children 2 and under and Science Center members. Tickets and information are available at www.nhnature.org
Discover Squam Guided Lake Cruise
Daily, 11:00am to 12:30pm, 1:00 to 2:30pm
Friday through Tuesday, 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Until Monday, October 12
Learn about the natural history of Squam Lake, look for majestic Bald Eagles, and listen for the haunting call of Common Loons. Hear about the people who have lived on its rocky shores surrounded by scenic mountains for over 5,000 years. Cruise on this beautiful lake where On Golden Pond was filmed more than 40 years ago.
All Squam Lake Cruises are 90 minutes in length on canopied pontoon boats. Binoculars are available for viewing or bring your own. Cruises depart on Route 113 across from the Science Center. Squam Lake Cruises are not recommended for children under age 5.
Cost: $36 adult; $34 senior (age 65+); $32 youth (ages up to 15), Members discount: $4 per person
Advance reservations required by purchasing tickets at nhnature.org.
Cruise With A Naturalist
Wednesdays and Thursdays
Until Friday, September 17
3:00 to 4:30pm
Learn about the rich natural history of Squam Lake with an experienced naturalist. See Common Loons and Bald Eagles and view their nesting sites when possible. Watch for other wildlife too. You never know what you might see amid Squam’s mountain ranges, charming islands, and quit coves. Each route is chosen to maximize wildlife observations, so you can discover something different on every trip.
All Squam Lake Cruises are 90 minutes in length on canopied pontoon boats. Binoculars are available for viewing or bring your own. Cruises depart on Route 113 across from the Science Center. Squam Lake Cruises are not recommended for children under 5.
Cost: $36 adult; $34 senior (age 65+); $32 youth (ages up to 15), Members discount: $4 per person
Advance reservations required by purchasing tickets at nhnature.org.
The Science of Saw-whet Owls
Wednesday, September 2
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Ages 12 and Up
Small, secretive, and nocturnal, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is one of the most elusive — and most adorable — owls in North America. Each fall, the Harris Center for Conservation Education bands saw-whets in the Monadnock Region as part of Project Owlnet, an international research effort to better understand population trends and migration patterns for this climate-vulnerable species. Join Harris Center Science Director Brett Amy Thelen for an overview of the Harris Center’s saw-whet migration monitoring project, and to learn more about this bird of prey. Cost: No charge to attend. Advance registration required at nhnature.org!
Bioblitz Wrap-up Celebration & Ice Cream Social
Friday, September 4
5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
All Ages
During the month of August, we invited visitors to help us catalog as many organisms as we could find on our 200-acre campus using the iNaturalist platform. Join us for our wrap-up celebration and ice cream social as we share our collective results, award standout contributions (such as most species or taxa observed), highlight any unexpected finds, and honor 60 years of discovery, conservation, and connection to the natural world at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.
Cost: No charge to attend. Advance registration is required.
Hawk Watch
Saturdays, September 5–September 26
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
All Ages
Join us on Saturdays during September to count migrating raptors as they pass over Squam Lakes Natural Science Center on their journey south. Our data will be submitted to the Hawk Migration Association’s North American raptor migration database to help advance scientific knowledge about raptor populations and migration, and to inform raptor conservation efforts.
Kids’ activities will help budding ornithologists learn to identify raptors in a fun way!
Drop-in to learn hawk identification tips and try your hand at identifying hawks in flight. Stay for a few minutes or bring a chair and your binoculars and spend a few hours!
Cost: Included in trail admission. Last entry at 3:30 pm.
Raptor Migration Celebration
Saturday, September 19
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
All Ages
Fall is a season of transition, and many animals are on the move to wintering grounds. Join us to celebrate the amazing journeys our migrating raptors take each year. See live raptors up close and in flight with Birds of Prey presentations by the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 1:00 pm. Learn about where our raptor species go each winter, how long it takes them to get there, and why they bother to return. Help us collect valuable data about hawk populations by participating in our Hawk Watch – the more eyes on the sky the better!
Cost: Included with trail admission. Last admission at 3:30 p.m.
Donor & Member Recognition
Saturday, September 26
9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All Ages
Donor & Member Recognition Day is a gratitude celebration to honor the generosity and support of our community.
Donors, members and up to 3 guests can enjoy complimentary trail admission.
10:00 am to 11:30 am enjoy fresh cider & cider belly donuts 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm enjoy a light refreshment and build your own snack bar.
Members and Donors will also get double member discounts in the Howling Coyote Gift Shop.
Registration is required at nhnature.org.
------
About Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
The mission of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is to advance understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire’s natural world. Through spectacular live animal exhibits, natural science education programs, guided Squam Lake Cruises, public gardens, and a nature-based Montessori early learning center, the Science Center has educated audiences of all ages since 1966 about the importance of our natural world. The Science Center is Sensory Inclusive Certified by KultureCity. Located on Route 113 in Holderness, it’s an easy drive from exit 24 off I-93, and public trails are open daily from May 1 through November 1 with programming throughout the year. For further information about the Science Center, call 603-968-7194 or visit www.nhnature.org.
