While it’s true that Gunstock Mountain Resort, with its many attributes, doesn’t offer a lakefront setting for camping, there’s a postcard-perfect, sandy beach on Lake Winnipesaukee just seven minutes away. That’s the amount of time designated by Google Maps to drive the 3.3-mile distance along the fastest route from your Gunstock campsite to Ellacoya State Park.

Ellacoya State Park, like Gunstock, is located in Gilford, N.H. The 600-foot, crescent-shaped, sandy beach and shady picnic area on the southwest shore of New Hampshire’s largest lake is a great place to spend time with family and friends for a full day of swimming and picnicking. The views of the Sandwich and Ossipee mountains across the lake are a bonus for beachgoers. There’s also a snack bar and playground, plus picnic tables and some grills for any picnic lunches that require cooking. Don’t forget the charcoal and lighter fluid!

Ellacoya State Park gets its name from Native American lore that tells how Lake Winnipesaukee was named. The most popular translation of the Abenaki word, Winnipesaukee, describes it as meaning “smile of the great spirit.”

According to local legend, Ahanton, a tribal sachem, had a daughter named Ellacoya, whose loveliness was so renowned that Kona, the young chief of a rival tribe, journeyed across the lake to meet the legendary beauty. His appearance coincided with an expedition that resulted in the absence of Ellacoya’s father. Kona and Ellacoya became enamored with each other and began a courtship that was disrupted by Ahanton’s return. The sachem was not pleased with the situation and, as he was preparing to attack the intruder, Ellacoya intervened, professing her love for Kona.

Ahanton’s anger abated, and he eventually allowed the couple to wed. After a three-day celebration, members of the tribe accompanied Ellacoya and Kona halfway across the lake on their journey to Kona’s tribe. Gray storm clouds filled the sky that day, but as the escorting tribe members were about to turn back, leaving the young lovers to continue onward to their destination and into their new lives together, the sun burst through the clouds. The golden sunlight sparkled on the water all around the canoe carrying Ellacoya and Kona. Ahanton declared it a good omen, saying it was the smile of the great spirit. 

A day at Ellacoya State Park should be part of every Gunstock Campground guest’s itinerary, and a great reason to extend your stay to include a weekday or two. With any luck, you’ll witness the sunlight sparkling on the water and experience the smile of the great spirit for yourself.

Parking at Ellacoya is limited (especially on nice weekends and holidays). Visitors can make a reservation before arriving at the park as walk-in spaces are available for visitors on a first come first served basis. Reservations can be made up to 30 days prior to arrival. Visit Ellacoya State Park for more information.