Little Squam Lake - 408 acres

Often described as Squam Lake’s quieter, more intimate counterpart, Little Squam Lake offers a refined and deeply residential lake experience in the towns of Holderness and Ashland. Connected to Squam Lake by a narrow channel yet distinctly its own body of water, Little Squam retains the same conservation-minded character while feeling more secluded, more personal, and notably calmer.

Little Squam Lake is modest in size and naturally protected from through traffic. Recreation here leans toward swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and quiet power boating. Activity levels remain low, even in peak summer, and the absence of marinas or commercial shoreline helps preserve still water and a low-noise environment. The lake feels intentionally lived in rather than visited.

Real estate around Little Squam Lake is extremely limited. Homes are primarily single-family properties, many on generous lots with wooded buffers and private frontage. You will find a mix of legacy seasonal cottages and carefully updated year-round residences, often held within families for generations. Turnover is rare, and ownership is typically long-term and purposeful rather than transactional.

What defines Little Squam is continuity. It shares Squam Lake’s values of stewardship and restraint, but delivers them in a more intimate, less exposed setting.

FAQs About Little Squam Lake (Holderness & Ashland, NH)

What makes Little Squam Lake special?

Little Squam offers the environmental integrity and quiet culture of Squam Lake in a smaller, more sheltered format. Buyers are drawn to its calm water, low density, and understated sense of permanence.

What types of homes are found on Little Squam Lake?

Homes are primarily single-family residences, many modest in scale and well integrated into the landscape. There is a mix of seasonal camps and fully winterized homes, with new construction being rare and closely scrutinized.

Is Little Squam Lake suitable for year-round living?

Yes, in select locations. Some homes are used year-round, particularly those with reliable road access and modern systems. Buyers should evaluate heating, insulation, and access carefully on a property-by-property basis.

How does Little Squam Lake compare to Squam Lake?

Little Squam is generally quieter and more sheltered than Squam Lake. While Squam offers broader open water and more visible activity, Little Squam feels more residential and intimate, with fewer boats and less exposure.

How does Little Squam Lake compare to Lake Winnipesaukee?

Compared to Lake Winnipesaukee, Little Squam is far calmer and more conservation-focused. It trades marinas, crowds, and scale for still water, privacy, and a slower pace of lake life.

Is Little Squam Lake a good real estate investment?

From a long-term, lifestyle-driven perspective, yes. Inventory is extremely limited, demand is steady among buyers seeking quiet-lake living, and value retention tends to be strong due to scarcity and stewardship. This is not a short-term rental market, but a legacy-ownership lake.

How accessible is Little Squam Lake?

Little Squam Lake is approximately:

• 10 minutes from Plymouth
• About 35 minutes from the Lakes Region’s central amenities
• Roughly 2 hours from Boston

It offers seclusion without isolation.

Little Squam Lake is about stillness, continuity, and intention. It is a place where the water is calm, the shoreline is protected, and ownership feels personal rather than performative.

If you are comparing Little Squam Lake to Squam Lake or weighing whether a quieter, more intimate lake aligns with your long-term vision, I’m always happy to offer thoughtful, discreet guidance grounded in real waterfront experience.