Your Visit

Open meadows, mature forests, and marsh boardwalks connect interactive natural exhibits where native animals reside. Spend a day among black bears, mountain lions, raptors, river otters, bobcats, and more. Spend a day - take a self-guided tour of the animal exhibit trail (plan at least two hours). Explore our hiking trails, relax and learn on a Squam Lake Cruise, enjoy the beauty of Kirkwood Gardens, and shop naturally in the Howling Coyote Gift Shop.

Hours and Admissions

DIRECTIONS

View Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in a larger map

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is located in Holderness, New Hampshire.

From Interstate 93 (North and South)
Take exit 24 (Ashland/Holderness exit)
Follow Route 3 South (approximately 4 miles)
Turn left onto Route 113; our driveway is 200 yards on the left.
Our physical address is: 23 Science Center Road
GPS coordinates 43° 43' 58"N, 71° 35' 21"W or 43.7328°N, 71.5893°W
Approximate travel times by car from: Boston, MA: 2 hours; Manchester, NH: 1 hour

ACCESSIBILITY

The exhibit trail is accessible with an ADA Recreational standard grade of 1 in 12 with difficult spots due to loose gravel.
The majority of the exhibit trail is packed gravel.
Contact us to reserve a four-wheeled motorized scooter (Rascal) or non-motorized wheelchair.
We try to make any and all accommodations for accessibility on Squam Lake Cruises. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs.

PARKING

Parking is free to Science Center visitors during operating hours.
Parking areas at the Science Center are for Science Center visitors ONLY. No overnight parking. No boat trailers. Parking rules are clearly displayed in the parking lots. Parking gates close at 5:30 p.m.

PETS

Many of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center's staff members have pets of our own, and we all understand that our visitors often travel with their four-legged friends. However, because dogs and cats – or birds or rabbits or lizards – are not a good fit with the animals on exhibit at the Science Center, we find it necessary to have a policy for our furry, feathered, scaled visitors and their people. Only certified service animals are allowed on the property of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Please announce any service animals at Admissions when you arrive. Service animals must be leashed while on the property.
It's best if you can leave your pet at home. However, if you must travel with your animal friends please be sure to park in a shady spot, crack the windows for ventilation, and check on them often to ensure they are comfortable. There are many hazards to leaving pets in cars, so please be careful!

PHOTOGRAPHY

We sometimes take photos and videos for educational and promotional purposes. Entry to the Science Center grants permission for our use of these images.

OTHER

The use or possession of firearms, fireworks, explosives, or any type of weapon is prohibited at the Science Center.
The Science Center campus is a smoke-free and tobacco-free property. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and unregulated products will not be permitted at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.
The use of alcohol is prohibited except for private events.
The animal exhibit trail is an unpaved gravel path through forests and meadows. Please wear appropriate footwear.
Motor vehicles, both diesel and gasoline, are the leading source of air pollution in New Hampshire. Air pollution from vehicle exhaust has been linked to asthma and lung cancer and children are more susceptible than adults. To protect the health and well-being of our visitors, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has a no idling policy.

Lynne Kraskouskas, 09/18/18
Great educational facility. Fun and educational for all ages. Very much enjoyed the sub-canopy boardwalk peppered with stations featuring different animals and ecosystems of the surrounding area. There are educational presentations with live animals as well as an otter exhibit. A few times a week, the otters are fed a "fishsicle" and it is amusing to watch them try and get their snacks. Didn't visit gift shop or go for a cruise. That's the great thing about this place, one can come back again and again and have a different experience. Locals or regular visitors to the region can purchase a membership and come and go. There is a nice picnic area and food during the summer season. It was not busy the day we visited, but I could see it being a lot busier. Educational, interesting AND shady.
Howard Nash, 10/08/18
Very well presented exhibit on the wildlife of New Hampshire. Coming from the UK, we had some concerns about the moral question of keeping wild animals in cages. This was set against the very obvious great condition of the animals on display and the effort taken to educate on the natural world - a video or even holograph would not have the same impact. The reason we give it only 4 stars is that not enough effort is made to explain why the animals, particularly the large animals, are kept in relatively small enclosures. Looking at the negative reviews that focus on the moral question, your responses are very encouraging. Perhaps you should cut out the middleman and make more effort at the Centre to explain why the animals are maintained in captivity from a conservation perspective.
Lauren Busby, 10/17/18
We go here once a year and always love it. My son has been going since he was 2 and gets something out of it every year. It's a great little home and we love to learn about the animals.
Cailin Nelson, 08/03/18
Very nice place, clean and informative. Different from other places - lots for kids to learn hands on. I was a little apprehensive due to the cost and not many animals but felt like it was worth every penny. I would recommend packing a lunch and taking advantage of the trails - make a full day out of it.
Jill Cokely, 09/27/18
My family and I had such a great day here. I loved the flower gardens. It's so beautiful and smells amazing! We all enjoyed the exhibits and will return again in the future.