Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

The Best Nature Center in New England. It has dozens of local animals in spacious, natural enclosures along a 1 mile wooded nature trail. The animals have been previously injured and are unable to survive in the wild. It has numerous interactive activities and exhibits that accompany each animal which is a wonderful educational way for children to learn.

This was such a great place to visit on a nice day. Being that these are outdoor exhibits and walking between them is necessary, a nice day is recommended.
The exhibits were well done and the kids loved seeing the animals. We will definitely be back again.

My 3 year old enjoyed it but could only walk around once. He did love all the interactive stuff that made you feel like you are in the animal’s home. I think it’s a little expensive but not too bad. I really liked just walking the trials and I love that it’s not just all about the animals.

Love this place. A beautiful setting, interesting exhibits (for both kids & adults) and just a nice place to spend a few relaxing hours walking around. AND… they mailed my lost debit card back to me.

Amazing place. So quiet and peaceful. The people there were wonderful. The animal exhibits were clean and well visualized. I really enjoyed my experience. If you love nature walks, love animals, and hate crouded zoos, this place is perfect. The center was well taken care of, and very cleanm It was also fun for the kids. Lots of stuff for kids to do alone and with their parents. I cant wait to go back.

One of the best children’s zoo Montessori base education centers.

I’ve been through this area so many times and never knew this place existed.
While this place is definitely geared towards kids, these two adults enjoyed it as well. The animals that are kept here are ones that would normally be found in New Hampshire’s habitat. You will see mountain lions, black bears, quite a few raptors and bobcats just to name a few.
In addition to the animal exhibit trail there are also hiking trails as well as the adjacent Kirkwood gardens to explore.
It’s definitely worth a stop.

Much like Wolf Hollow in Ispwich I came here with my mom, who is a fellow nature lover, but can’t do much hiking. It’s usually zoos and sanctuaries if she’s going to get to see stuff other than what’s in her backyard.
This place was very cool. It has lots of native NH species including foxes, deer, bobcats, black bears and a mountain lion (yes, I say they are NH native despite what the state says, people up North know better about mountain lions and wolves). All the animals here are rescued from either being abandoned my a mother or hit by a car. I like knowing they didn’t just trap and enclose these animals and that they would basically be dead otherwise if they weren’t here.
They have the modernized plexiglass enclosures which lots of places have put in over the old school zoo chain link. It allows you to get much closer and as a photo guy I love that aspect. We went in the winter and they offer snowshoes, or you can go it on your own, but beware slips and falls if you do.
The staff was friendly and knew their stuff. You could tell they really care about the animals. The only drawback was that they lead you on a tour throughout the exhibit rather than let you roam it freely, which means you get a limited amount of time at each enclosure. Taking photos, I have to wait for the kids and other people to get out of the way, and though they didn’t make you feel pressured, you know you have to move along. I also would not recommend going in the winter .
It’s a really cool place not to far from home and would be a great place to bring the young’ns (or Moms) if they like animals.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is the perfect place to get close to nature and wildlife! Filled with education and staff who are extremely knowledgable; it truly is perfect place to go for those who love to walk in beautiful gardens, nature trails and see wildlife at its best!

Our family really enjoyed the science center. So much to see, learn, and do! Highly suggest you go. Make sure you allow plenty of time to read all the info, go see some talks about the animals, and hang out at the different exhibits to observe the animals and learn all about them!
All the animals found here are native to the area and were saved, but unable to return the wild for one reason or another. This isn’t a sad zoo, but a great educational and conservation place!

A pleasant ¾ mile walk through the woods with several displays and animal enclosures sprinkled along the path. The emphasis is on local animals with red fox, puma, skunk, otter, whitetail deer, black bear and bobcat among the animals on display in attractive humane enclosures. There are also several buildings with interactive displays and some animal demonstrations throughout the day.

We live in Meredith and had never been to the Science Center. maybe because on nice days we seem to be on the lake. We decided to go as we hosted cousins with 2 children, 12 and 9. The time was well spent and the park was much larger than I had anticipated. It was educational and fun and had a great combination of real birds and animals, guided educational content and self guided education. We could have easily stayed longer than the 90 minutes we ‘needed to kill’.
All kinds of birds, animals, frogs, plants and a geological display, all native to NH. All birds and animals have been rescued and brought to the Center to live out their days, they would not survived in the wild. The staff was friendly, very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the Center and nature in general.
The down side is the price: $ 80 for 4 adults and 2 kids. I happily paid recognizing their being there depends on private donations and gate receipts.
I will go back every year. If you are up at the lakes region with young children take them to the Science Center. It’s worth it and they will remember and want to go back.

Absolutely gorgeous! It’s a nature walk that brings you up close to the wildlife indigenous to this area. You get amazing shots of all of the animals. Highly recommend if you have children. A lot for them to explore and enjoy.

My two boys (ages 3 ½ and 6) and I visited the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in late October. It was a crisp and cool Saturday morning, and we had the place nearly all to ourselves. I wasn’t expecting much beyond a few caged native New Hampshire wildlife and a good walk. Instead, we were totally blown away.
First, the nature center is organized in such as way that it really is a walk through the woods. Paths and boardwalks wind their way through the compound, preserving the natural environment as much as possible. The animal displays themselves are first-​rate. The enclosures are well designed to allow for both easy viewing and a sense of the animal’s natural environment. The displays also include both information and activities for the kids. My boys enjoyed seeing the big cats, the deer, the raptors, and most of all the bears!
Because it was a little cold we didn’t have a chance the hike the trails, but when we go back in the spring we will take a picnic lunch and make a day of our visit.