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We came up to do have a nice family getaway, to hike Mt Major and do the zip line at Gunstock.
We ended up liking the place so much we didn't get out and about as much as we thought/planned.
Saturday we just enjoyed the screened room on the back and played some cards as well as some of the board games that are provided.
Our plans for Sunday were foiled by mother nature but I had my morning coffee by the lake and got some great pictures and videos as the storm rolled in, racing it back to the house and getting just a few drops on me as I hit the front step.
Monday we hiked Mt Major and a word to the wise, if you want a nice hike with the occasional, easily navigated obstacle then I suggest the Blue trail all the way up. If you want to sweat, drink a lot of water and quite literally climb your way up then take the Orange - Boulder Loop Trail. It was a very fun climb but a tough one at times. Maybe it was our pace but we came down the Blue and found it to be much easier.
This was one of the best family weekend getaways we've had in awhile. Thank you for providing the perfect setting for it. Abby (Our dog) loved the lake and would stay there all day if we let her.
If we make plans to come back to the area then we will certainly be putting this as our first choice to stay at.
Thanks Sue!! and Art!!
My husband and I have been coming to Crystal Acres for over 45 years. That was before hot running water and showers. Our kids now bring their kids. We all love the porch with the view of the lake and the mountains in the background. We keep busy swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, and/or just vegging. We do try to incorporate one new adventure each year. It is a wonderful place to spend your family vacation.
My extended family has been coming to Crystal Acres for a long, long time and we love it. I've called dibs on the Brown Camp because I love the porch. We can sit out in the morning and see the lake. We stay up late playing cards. We can fit lots of people in the cabin & still feel like we have our own space. The whole campus is fun. We usually have a few good shuffleboard competitions and lots of silly swimming games. We paddle around in all the different kinds of boats. Some evenings, we drive to Weirs Beach to the Drivein Movies. If you like swimming, biking and/or running, you'll find great places for all three. If you like sitting by the water reading, you'll find a peaceful place for that. Looking forward to coming back again.
8/2012
My family and I had a great time except for a creepy spider outside the porch. We had a competition that we had to swim to the raft two times a day. We suggest that families hike Mt. Major.
(Anisley, age 7)
8/10-17/2012
Had a great week at Crystal Acres in the Brown Camp with our daughter and her family. Our 7 yr. old grandson summed it up when he said, ” I love this place.” 2 of our grandchildren had never been to a lake and loved diving off the raft. They tried out all the boats and piers and one day hiked Mt. Major. The grandparents enjoyed Wolfboro, Meredith and visits to the Loon Center, Castle in the Clouds and a ride on the Mt. Washington Cruise Ship.Crystal Lake is a special place and we hope to return.
P.S. We loved the charm of the Brown Camp. Our favorite room was the front porch!
S&D from Manchester, CT
Cottages:
V. The Villa
BC. The Brown Camp
S. The Shanty
Buildings and landmarks:
A. Lakefront, beach, piers and swimming raft
B. Owners cottage
C. Lawn area with picnic tables, beach chairs
D. Storage barn
E. The Bunkhouse
F. Shuffleboard Court and outdoor fire pit
G. Barn and firewood storage
SA. Sue and Art’s House
The Brown Camp: Cottage Accommodation and Amenities
| Property Type: | Cottage | Housekeeping cottage. Guests provide own meals and maintain a clean cottage during stay. Checkout cleaning service included in rent. Towels and linens not provided and are available to rent. |
| Size: | approx. 800 sq. ft. | 1 story |
| Suitability: | Families and children welcome | |
| Groups | ||
| Pets welcome | $150 extra for each, please inform us at time of reservation | |
| Not wheelchair accessible | ||
| Non-smoking only | ||
| Cottage features: | ||
| Kitchen: | Full kitchen | Oven, 4-burner stove, dishes, eating and cooking utensils, refrigerator, freezer, coffee maker, microwave, toaster, paper towels |
| Dining: | Dining Area | Seating for 6 people |
| Living Room | Comfortable seating area | Couch/futon, 2 chairs, TV and fireplace with free firewood |
| Bathroom: | 1 Bathroom | Toilet, shower, complementary basket with guest sized shampoo, conditioner, hand soap and body lotion, toilet paper provided |
| Bedrooms: | 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 7 | Bedroom 1 has 1 queen bed Bedroom 2 has 1 twin bed Bedroom 3 has 2 twin/single beds, twins will be converted to King on request |
| Entertainment: | Games, Books, Radio in the cottage. | |
| Internet | Free wireless internet | |
| Heating | 2 Rannai heaters, Fireplace | |
| General items in cottage: | Maps and information about local attractions, alarm clock, | |
| Screen Porch / Veranda | Furnished front porch/veranda | |
| Outside: | Outdoor Grill Gas | |
| Yard | ||
| Outdoor seating with provided lawn furniture | ||
| Parking: | 3 cars | |
| Crystal Acres features shared by all guests: | Lake | Crystal Lake is 441 acres and extremely clean. The water is tested 3 times a year with high clarity ratings. |
| Beach | We have 200 feet of natural beach front. Our cottages are 150' to 250' away from the lake but it is a very short walk down the driveway and across the lawn to the beach. | |
| Waterfront | Waterfront area includes beach, piers and swimming raft. There is yard space adjacent to waterfront for setting up lawn games. There are no streets to cross. | |
| Mountain view | View the whole Belknap Mountain Range from the beach and waterfront. | |
| Rural setting | Crystal Acres is on a treed lot with a mixture of sun and shade. There are no streets to cross to use all our facilities and it's a wonderfully safe environment for children. There is lots of play space. A parent should always be at the beach with them since there is no lifeguard. | |
| Yard and play areas | Picnic tables, outdoor fire pit, shuffleboard, yard games | |
| Nearby attractions and amenities: | The Village of Gilmanton Iron Works | The quaint village of Gilmanton Iron Works includes a store, post office, church, library, fire station and lots of history. Just 5 minutes away by car. Full size grocery stores are 20-30 minutes away by car. |
| Attraction & Activities: | Antiquing, bird watching, boating, cinemas, duty free shops, live theater, outlet shopping, photography, playground, restaurants, scenic drives, sight seeing, theme parks, walking, water parks | |
| Local Services & Businesses: | Groceries, medical services, laundromat, hospital, massage therapist, ATM/bank, fitness center, library, coin laundry, churches & synagogues | |
| Sports & Adventure Activities: | Cycling, fishing, fly fishing, freshwater fishing, golf, golf privileges optional, hiking, hunting big game, mountain climbing, mountaineering, pier fishing, roller blading, swimming |
The Brown Camp
The Brown Camp has 3 bedrooms, a spacious living room and porch with space for eating and lounging. This cottage is called The Brown Camp since my father attended Brown University. I know it seems strange since all of our cottages are brown. Just a coincidence.
- Sleeps 7
- 3 bedrooms
- Screened porches
- Fireplace with free firewood
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Full bath with shower stall
- Internet TV and gas heat
- Pets welcome ($150 additional)
Rates:
Summer $1495/week, Fall $214/night
Plus 9% state rental tax and $75 cleaning fee
$250 refundable security deposit