Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a wildlife and nature education destination in Holderness, New Hampshire, centered on the ecosystems of the Lakes Region. Its live animal exhibits feature native species in outdoor habitats connected by walking trails, creating a visit that feels more like exploring a nature preserve than moving through a conventional zoo. The center’s setting among forests and near Squam Lake adds to that emphasis on regional wildlife and natural landscapes.

The exhibit trail provides opportunities to see animals such as black bears, mountain lions, river otters, bobcats, and birds of prey, while interpretive displays explain the habitats and natural processes surrounding them. The center also offers guided programs, nature cruises, and other educational experiences that extend beyond the main trail. Its combination of wildlife exhibits, wooded walking routes, and regional natural history makes it particularly suited to travelers who want to experience New Hampshire wildlife within its broader ecological setting rather than visit a traditional zoo.