Close to Squam Lakes and north of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire is a pile of rocks. It just so happens that about 50 thousand years ago a glacier covered New Hampshire, and as it thawed it cracked and loosened the granite on Hawk’s Cliff.

The granite fell as huge blocks falling to the base and creating a bunch of wondrous caverns to explore and climb through – this is Polar Caves Park.

Some of the caves are narrow and steep so take this into account if you’ve small or disabled members in your party. There are now eight caves to explore with names like “The Needles Eye”, and “Bears Den”, and “The Lemon Squeeze.”

Our trip to Polar Caves was last year, and while they usually have audio tours, the time we went all the electrical systems had been “fried” by a recent lightening storm. Hopefully, everything is working in 2006.

The massive size of the some of the glacial rocks is stunning. In the photo above is reputed to be the largest glacial rock in the world – well, it seems big to me, but as they just recently discovered the third largest waterfall in the world in Peru, maybe there’s a bigger glacial rock somewhere waiting to be found.

Until then, you can see the current world champ at Polar Caves!

When you’ve tired of crawling around and confined spaces visit the Covered Bridge, and the open spaces of the nature trails, and the Rock Garden. The trails lead around a Maple Sugar Museum, and the Polar Mining Expedition, where for an extra fee the kids can hunt for precious metals.

We visited Polar Caves on a hot August day but the naturally shaded park and cooling caves made for a hit with the kids and adults alike.

Polar Caves is open mid-May through Mid-October from 9:00am – 5:00pm. Admission fee is $12 – adult, and $9.50 for kids 4-9.

Directions: Take Interstate 93 to Exit 26. This One-way exit will put you on Rte. 25 West (Tenney Mountain Highway). Four miles from the exit you will approach a traffic circle, bear right to stay on Rte. 25. In just 1 mile Polar Caves Park will be located on your left.

You can visit the Polar Caves web site at: http://www.polarcaves.com/

For more ideas for destinations and attractions in the area check out my New Hampshire vacations page by clicking here.

Talk to you next week.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Vacation Online Guide

Related posts:

1. The Polar Express Tickets Now Available – But Hurry!
2. Canobie Lake Park – The 100-Year-Old Theme Park
3. Boston Harbor Islands – A Park within a Park
4. Surfcoaster USA – The Weirs Beach Water Park