You’ve seen the movie. Everyone has. That iconic shot of the loons cutting through the morning mist while Henry Fonda grumbles about being an "old poop" is basically burned into the collective memory of anyone who loves New England. But if you try to punch "Golden Pond" into your GPS, you're gonna have a bad time.
Honestly, the most common thing people get wrong is assuming Golden Pond is a real place you can find on a map. It isn't. Not exactly. While the story feels like it's rooted in a specific coordinate, the truth is a bit of a geographical cocktail.
The short answer: Squam Lake, New Hampshire
If you want to stand where the Thayers stood, you need to head to Squam Lake in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Specifically, the movie was filmed in and around the town of Holderness.
It’s the state’s second-largest lake, tucked just south of the White Mountains. Unlike its big brother, Lake Winnipesaukee, which is all about jet skis and massive crowds, Squam is quiet. It’s moody. It’s got that "don't talk to me, I'm reading a book on the porch" energy that the film captured so perfectly.
The Maine connection you didn't know about
Here’s where it gets kinda tricky. Ernest Thompson, the guy who wrote the play, didn't grow up on Squam Lake. He actually spent his summers on Great Pond, which is part of the Belgrade Lakes in Maine.
When he was writing the script, he was thinking about Maine. But when Hollywood showed up with their cameras and a massive budget in 1980, they decided Squam Lake looked more like "Golden Pond" than the actual place that inspired it. So, while the soul of the story is in Maine, the visuals are 100% New Hampshire.
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Why everyone asks where is golden pond
People aren't just looking for a filming location; they're looking for a feeling. The 1981 film won a pile of Oscars because it felt authentic. That wasn't a studio set. When Katharine Hepburn dove into the water to save Norman and Billy after they crashed the boat, she really dove into that water.
And it was cold.
The production team actually had to wear wetsuits under their clothes because they filmed into the late summer and early fall. Hepburn, being the absolute legend she was, reportedly refused the wetsuit because she wanted it to look real.
Finding the house
The Thayer cottage is a real house on the shores of Squam. It was a private residence leased from a New York physician. If you go looking for it today, you can see it from the water, but don't expect a museum. It’s still a private home.
Kinda cool side note: the production crew actually built a second story onto the house for the movie. Usually, when filming ends, the crew tears everything down and puts the house back to normal. But the owner liked the addition so much he told them to leave it. If you boat past it today, you're looking at the exact silhouette from the movie.
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Where to find the real filming spots
If you're making the pilgrimage, you aren't just restricted to staring at a house from a distance. The area is littered with "I know that spot" moments.
- Holderness Harbor: This is where many of the boat scenes originated. You can still rent a boat here, though I wouldn't recommend trying to recreate the "Nightmare at Purgatory Cove" crash unless you want a very expensive repair bill.
- The Science Center: The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness actually runs "On Golden Pond" boat tours. They take you out, show you the islands, and point out the exact coves where they filmed. It's the easiest way to see it without getting lost.
- Lake Winnipesaukee: Wait, what? Yeah, a few shots were actually done on the neighboring (and much larger) Lake Winnipesaukee. Specifically, some of the scenes where Billy is driving the boat solo were shot there because the water was deeper and safer for high-speed stunts.
The loons are the real stars
You can't talk about where is golden pond without talking about the birds. The loon calls in that movie are basically the soundtrack of the film.
Squam Lake is one of the premier spots in the Northeast for loon nesting. If you visit in June or July, you'll hear them. It’s haunting. It’s beautiful. It’s also a big reason why the lake is so protected. There are strict speed limits for boats and massive efforts by the Squam Lakes Association to keep the water clear.
The water is remarkably clean. Like, "you can see the bottom at 20 feet" clean.
Making the trip: Practical tips
If you're actually going to head up there, don't just expect a movie set. It’s a real community.
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- Don't call it Golden Pond. The locals are nice, but they know it’s Squam Lake. If you ask for directions to Golden Pond, they’ll know you’re a tourist immediately (which is fine, but still).
- Stay in Holderness. There’s a place called the Manor on Golden Pond. It’s a fancy inn that overlooks the lake. It wasn't in the movie, but it definitely leans into the name.
- Check out "Walter's Basin." There’s a restaurant in town named after the giant trout Norman and Billy were obsessed with catching. The food is actually good, and the view of the channel is great.
- Bring a map. As the locals say, Squam is "treacherous." It’s full of hidden rocks just below the surface—the kind that eat propellers for breakfast. If you rent a boat, pay attention to the markers.
Is it worth the hype?
Honestly? Yeah.
A lot of movie locations are disappointing when you see them in person. They look smaller, or they're surrounded by strip malls. Squam Lake isn't like that. Because of the heavy conservation work, it looks almost exactly like it did in 1980. The trees are taller, sure, but the vibe is identical.
It’s one of the few places where the "Old New England" aesthetic hasn't been paved over by a Starbucks.
If you're looking for that specific brand of peace—the kind that makes you want to wear a tattered cardigan and contemplate your life choices—this is the spot.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Book a tour: Contact the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center for their "On Golden Pond" cruise to see the filming locations from the water.
- Hike West Rattlesnake Mountain: It’s a short, relatively easy hike that gives you a bird's-eye view of the entire lake system. It’s the best way to see the layout of the islands.
- Check the season: Visit in late September if you want the "Golden" look. The foliage turns the entire shoreline orange and yellow, mirroring the lighting of the film's climax.
- Rent a kayak: If you want to see the loons up close (but not too close—keep your distance), paddling the coves near the Science Center is your best bet.