Timeless Chocorua

In 1968, summer and year-round residents of Chocorua and Tamworth, New Hampshire, formed two nonprofit land trusts, which later merged to form the Chocorua Lake Conservancy (CLC), to protect the land, water, and wildlife in the Chocorua Lake Basin from encroaching development.In an effort of remarkable creativity, foresight, and consensus-building, the CLC founders persuaded virtually all of the landowners of the Basin to restrict the future development of their properties through...
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In 1968, summer and year-round residents of Chocorua and Tamworth, New Hampshire, formed two nonprofit land trusts, which later merged to form the Chocorua Lake Conservancy (CLC), to protect the land, water, and wildlife in the Chocorua Lake Basin from encroaching development.In an effort of remarkable creativity, foresight, and consensus-building, the CLC founders persuaded virtually all of the landowners of the Basin to restrict the future development of their properties through perpetual conservation covenants. Despite quickly increasing development pressures in the area, they succeeded in forever protecting the Chocorua Lake Basin from development.For the past 50 years, thousands of annual visitors have enjoyed the results of the CLC's work -- a nearly complete network of conservation agreements by and among Basin landowners. This network of protection of an entire watershed is highly unusual, if not unique. Today, you will not see any billboards, motels, or other commercial activity along Route 16, the state highway that runs through Chocorua Village and the Basin. No motor boats are allowed on Chocorua Lake, which keeps the water exceptionally clean and free of milfoil. No structures are visible on or near the lake. The cedar railings on the Narrows Bridge remain as beautiful as ever. And local residents and visitors have access to a clean lake, sandy beaches, picnic areas, and beautiful walking trails.Everyone also has access to the most photographed landscape in New Hampshire from the "View Lot" on the hill at the southern end of the lake, which the CLC protected in 2018. This iconic view -- looking from the historic barn and field down to the Little Lake, the Narrows Bridge, Chocorua Lake, and Mount Chocorua -- was chosen by in 2013 to represent New Hampshire on its second "America the Beautiful" quarter.About the Chocorua Lake Conservancy: The CLC is a volunteer-led, nonprofit land trust founded in 1968 to protect the scenic and natural resources of the Chocorua Lake Basin and surrounding area. The CLC is committed to providing convenient and attractive public access to Chocorua Lake and trails on conservation lands for visitors and local residents.