Otter Brook Lake (Keene and Roxbury, N.H.), New England District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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Otter Brook Lake, Keene and Roxbury, N.H.

ATTENTION PARK VISITORS

Starting May 27th, we will be adjusting open hours. By reducing the available days open, we aim to align our operations with historic visitation trends, which have shown lower attendance on Mondays and Tuesdays. This adjustment allows us to allocate resources more efficiently.

The new operating hours for Otter Brook and Surry Mountain Lakes are as follows:

Wednesday through Sunday:

Opening time: 8:00 AM

Closing time: 8:00 PM

Mondays and Tuesdays will be designated as walk-in access only days. Please note that during these days, the park office and certain amenities may not be available; however, visitors are welcome to enjoy the parks and utilize the available facilities.

Otter Brook and Surry Mountain Lakes provide a range of recreational activities, including shelter reservations for various functions, swimming, fishing, and additional offerings specific to Otter Brook Lake, such as disc golf and leashed pet access. These amenities will continue to be available during the revised operating hours.

We encourage all park-goers to plan their visits, accordingly, keeping in mind the updated operating hours.

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Recreation Facilities/Activities

Otter Brook Lake offers many recreational opportunities that everyone can enjoy. It offers a picnic area with 90 tables and 55 fireplace grills; swimming on a 400-foot-long beach; a boat ramp; boating for canoes, rowboats, sailboats, and motorboats (no wake); and sanitary facilities. During the winter, visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

Hunting and fishing are permitted in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations. For more information on hunting or fishing, you can contact the New Hampshire Division of Fish and Game. Otter Brook, both upstream and downstream of the lake, is stocked by the state with brook and rainbow trout, and the lake supports chain pickerel, yellow perch, and bass. There is in-season hunting and/or trapping for deer, beaver, muskrat, fisher, and wild turkey.

If you are planning a family reunion, wedding reception, or business outing, don't forget the shelters at Otter Brook Lake. These shelters may be reserved for a fee, and they make a great place to hold any function. Electricity is available at the shelters and bathrooms with flush toilets are located nearby.

Reservations and Fees

Shelter Reservation Fees:

Pine Shelter - 30' X 44' large covered shelter which accommodates roughly 100 adults, and includes electricity. $85/day.
Elm Shelter - 22' X 38' covered shelter which accommodates roughly 60 adults, and includes electricity. $65/day.
Alder Shelter - 16' X 20' covered shelter which accommodates roughly 16 adults. $30/day.

To make a reservation please go to www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 and search or ask for Otter Brook Lake Beach.

Special Events:

These fees vary, depending on the event. Please call the office at 603-352-4130

Interpretive Programs

Visitors are welcome to walk into the park and utilize the area. Fall and winter are a wonderful time of year to take a walk through the park and when we have enough snow, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing as well as snowmobiling are a great way to get out and enjoy the park. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity enjoyed in the park. If you are interested in interpretive programs and would like a park ranger to present a program, we are available for both on and off site presentations. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a program please call.

Natural Resources

More then half of Otter Brook Lake's 458 acres, are forested with white pine, hemlock, maple, beech, birch, and oak. The open areas are a mix of old fields, wetlands, shrub areas, and the 90 acre lake itself. These varied habitats provide for a diversity of both resident and migratory wildlife. Deer, fox, raccoons, beavers, and turkeys make their home at Otter Brook Lake year round. Waterfowl, such as canada geese, black ducks and mallards use the area to rest and feed along their migratory journey.

Natural resources are an important component to the management of Otter Brook Lake. Park rangers use an assortment of forestry techniques to improve or conserve different habitat types. Woodcock habitat improvements have been conducted as well as managing a deer yard on the property. Apple trees are planted and pruned for food production for deer, turkeys, grouse, and various other bird species. Park rangers have also studied vernal pools and other unique habitat types and have conducted amphibian surveys to ensure biodiversity and maintain a healthy ecosystem.

- Updated: 5/30/2023

Know Before You Go

No park entrance fee
Carry in, carry out all trash
Leashed pets are allowed in designated areas
Motorboats are allowed (No Wake)
No lifeguard - Swim at your own risk
Park Hours: 8 A.M. to 8 P.M.
No metal detecting or removing artifacts from federal property
All unmanned aircraft as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including drones, are prohibited on designated Corps land in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulations 36 CFR 327.4b. Drones and remote controlled aircraft are authorized for licensed club members in designated areas. Call the Project Office (802) 886-2775 for more information.
No commercial activities, sales, or solicitation of business on USACE land.
Shelter reservations and or group events that bring in hired food trucks or vendors, large event tents (greater than 12’x12’), bounce houses, and any other atypical items are required to apply for a special use permit by calling the main office at 802-886-2775. Please inquire if you are unsure.