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The Shanty, Rustic, natural sand beach, Crystal clear water! Pet Friendly

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Property grounds
A rustic cabin with a brick chimney, large windows, and a porch area with two white plastic chairs.
Wicker chairs with cushions, a small wooden table, and a bookshelf with books.
A kitchen with a sink, a coffee maker, and a clock on the wall.
A wooden dock extending into a calm lake with mist over the water, surrounded by forested hills.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Top rated beach location
    Discover paradise at this top rated beach location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Crystal Lake Park
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Explore the area

View in a map
Gilmanton, NH
  • Place, Crystal Lake Park
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Suncook River
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook
    ‪37 min drive‬
  • Airport, Concord, NH (CON-Concord Municipal)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Shanty, Rustic, natural sand beach, Crystal clear water! Pet Friendly

The "Shanty" sits nestled in the woods, with a short walk across the lawn to 200’ of beach on Crystal Lake with a gorgeous view of the Belknap Mountain range – best view and beach on the lake! Great fishing and Swimming!
Woodsy summer cottage with a small but newly renovated kitchen. Rents from Saturday to Saturday. Living room with smart TV (bring your netflix password!) Dinning room table inside plus second table on the screened porch! Sleeps 6 total (hard limit).
Bedroom #1: double bed.
Bedroom #2: two twins or a king
Living room: Futon for up to 2
Gas grill provided. Screened porch with chairs for reading and a full table for semi-outdoor dinning.

Aptly named, Crystal Lake has clean, clear water. Our location has a naturally sandy beach (no rocks, and you can see to the bottom!) great for families and swimming, fishing, boating. We have 3 piers and a large swim raft which is deep enough to dive from. We provide kayaks, canoes, paddleboat, rowboats, and life preservers for your use. This is a great place for lounging on the beach while watching your kids swim, floating in a tube with a drink, fishing, or exploring the area in a kayak. Picnic tables and large yard for yard games- bring your favorites along! Shuffleboard court available. Quiet roads for biking/jogging with beautiful views. Owner on property if you need assistance.

For Family Reunions- this is one of 3 cottages on site (inquire for available dates). Beach is private for use only by our renters. 200 linear feet of waterfront.

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sunset from the dock
Gilmanton vacation cottage rental with 200 ft. water frontage on Crystal Lake,
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  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Laundry room
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (47 reviews)
Gilmanton vacation cottage rental with 200 ft. water frontage on Crystal Lake,

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
All dogs leashed.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Check out is by 10AM.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No more than 2 dogs are allowed for your cottage and dogs must be leased unless another agreement is made with the owner.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4968598
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Gilmanton IW

Located in Gilmanton IW, this cottage is in a rural area and on the beach. Sun Day's Salon & Spa, Inc. and Bolduc Park are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Hampshire Pewter Co. and Stand Up Paddleboard NH. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at New Hampshire International Speedway or New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and mountain climbing nearby.
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Map
Gilmanton, NH

What's nearby

  • Crystal Lake Park - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Suncook River - 5 min drive - 1.3 km
  • New Hampshire International Speedway - 28 min drive - 30.3 km
  • Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook - 37 min drive - 42.3 km
  • Gunstock Mountain Resort - 40 min drive - 43.1 km

Getting around

  • Tilton Station - 28 min drive
  • Laconia, NH (LCI-Laconia Municipal) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bay - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Shibley's At The Pier - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Aroma Joe's - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Rustic Lakeside Cottage, natural sand beach, Crystal clear water! Pet Friendly S pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at Rustic Lakeside Cottage, natural sand beach, Crystal clear water! Pet Friendly S?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Rustic Lakeside Cottage, natural sand beach, Crystal clear water! Pet Friendly S?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rustic Lakeside Cottage, natural sand beach, Crystal clear water! Pet Friendly S?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Rustic Lakeside Cottage, natural sand beach, Crystal clear water! Pet Friendly S located?

Nestled on the beach, this Gilmanton IW cottage is within 1 mi (2 km) of Crystal Lake Park and Suncook River. Lake Manning and Gilmanton Iron Works Library are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 29 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 29 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 29 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 29 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 29 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The lake the view and the hosts was all amazing we booked a week for next year
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jill B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful, relaxing stay.

Wonderful hosts and property. Perfect trip.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great cabin on a peaceful lake
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michelle P.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location on the lake. Very kind and hospitable hosts. Spectacular view of the lake from beach. Such a special location.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Richard E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Clear water quiet small lake camp

This cottage, "Shanty" is a rustic camp on a property with three other cottages and a resident home. There is a pretty sandy beach perfect for swimming and simply enjoying both sunrises and sunsets. The lake has loons and good fishing. Alton Bay is only 17 minutes away if you need a short trip to a restaurant or market.
Early morning peaceful beach
Evening sunset
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jun, 2025
Thanks for your kind words. We enjoyed your stay and seeing you enjoy the beach and lake. Sue
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Audra Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peace at the Lake

Just as described. If what you're looking for is rustic and peaceful, this is it. We didn't need bells and whistles. We needed to escape the busy, and we did here. We were able to easily cook for ourselves, spend quality time playing on a beautiful lake, venture out a little for golf, connect to wifi, and even bring the dog! Hosts were lovely and even had a fire on the beach for us all.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kate D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A perfect week

We had the most amazing week at Crystal Acres! The cabin we stayed in was perfect size for our family and we loved the screened porch. Everything was clean and the kitchen well stocked. The lake is warm and there was so much to do on the property we never left except to grab groceries at one point. We swam every day. The owners are lovely and welcoming. We very much look forward to hopefully returning next summer!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept, 2023
We are so glad you had wonderful time! It was a pleasure getting know you and your family. It was such a great week for all the families at the cottages! We hope you will come stay with us again!
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

relaxing and restorative

Although the weather wasn't as cooperative as it could have been, the week was full of enough relaxation and restoration in recovering from covid. Able to my challenge my strength with multiple hikes and kayaking on the lake, which was very peaceful.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michele M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little piece of heaven

We had a wonderful week at Crystal Acres. We stayed in the Shanty cabin, it was spotless and very comfortable. We were able to bring our dog, which made the week even more enjoyable. The beach front on the lake was perfect and we also enjoyed the use of the kayaks. We took advantage of the fire pit on the beach several nights. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy the idyllic location. We hope to return in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Crystal Lake house

Had an enjoyable stay
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Brian K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful week @ the lake

Sue & her daughter were very welcoming & accommodating to my family. The shanty was fine for us but the lake was truly fantastic. Beautiful mountain views, a swim dock to jump off and all sorts of kayaks & canoes to choose from. We enjoyed the beach, swimming & fishing in the lake & hiking some nearby trails. If you're looking for a peaceful week away Crystal Acres is the place.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location

We enjoyed our stay at Crystal Lake. So peaceful and beautiful. Homeowner was incredibly friendly and welcoming.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Most Amazing Vacation Ever

When we arrived we were greeted with smiles and words of welcome. The hospitality of the owners was over the top. The property is very well maintained and safe for kids and adults. The beach is well groomed, sand toys are provided, water crafts were available and they even had plenty of chairs on the beach. All we had to bring was our clothes, food, and personal items. Full kitchen allowed us to cook for the entire family and saved money. We were so happy with our stay that we booked for next summer. Thank you for an awesome time!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kaitlin P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time!

I was very lucky to stumble on the wonderful secret that is Crystal Acres. It is completely family run by the kindest people, from hosting a bon fire and cocktails on the beach, giving us their wifi password when the wifi in our cabin went out in a storm, to helping us retrieve something we left behind. They were even very accommodating to our 4 month old puppy, who is still being trained (and not always well behaved). The beach by the lake is so nice and you really can get the best of both worlds (beach and mountains, that is) with the sand to lay out in sun and dig your feet in and the incredible view of the mountains on the other side of the lake. There are more than enough canoes and kayaks for everyone with life jackets of all sizes. Usually planning a getaway for my family starts with deciding if we want to hike and boat in the mountains or lounge on the beach. Well, here you can do both to your hearts content!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Melanie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic location!

We had a wonderful week! Weather did not play along but the cottage was cozy and comfortable for us to hang out. Swimming, kayaking and enjoying the lake was beautiful and peaceful. Thank you to the Cloutman family for making our stay so nice. Highly recommended to stay here!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept, 2023
Melanie and her family were wonderful guests to have. They enjoyed it even though the "weather didn't play along" which was wonderful. We hope they return.
Verified review

8/10 Good

John S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and comfortable

Good
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lee G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing Week and Crystal Acres

COVID interrupted our 2020 travel plans, but finding Crystal Acres was a ray of sunshine in a otherwise dreary year. My family (wife, 3 kids 10 and under, and our dog) greatly enjoyed all the property had to offer. We fished, kayaked, built sand castles, played wiffle ball and soccer, and sat by the fire on the beach enjoying the stars. Sue and Art were wonderful hosts. They were very welcoming and offered suggestions for hiking and other activities in the area. The lake is quiet and relaxing, but the property is not far from a multitude of activities for the whole family to enjoy. We had an amazing week at Crystal Acres and are looking forward to making this trip a tradition going forward. -Lee
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept, 2023
These people were a pleasure to have around. The were considerate (cleaning up the beach and toys), friendly and fun. They seemed to have a good time which is what it's all about. We will certainly welcome them back another year.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

DKN M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

This was exactly what we hoped it would be. A cottage experience on the lake, with a great swimming area and access to kayaks, canoes, etc. Only three rentals on the property so it was a great vacation for these times. Hosts were very gracious and really seemed to enjoy seeing their guests have a great experience. Really fantastic family vacation spot. Will definitely consider returning.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept, 2023
This is a cozy cottage that is very popular. It's a 2 bedroom with a fireplace, side porch and eating areas inside, on the porch or outside which people enjoy. We're glad you enjoyed it and hope to see you again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Steven K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Welcome Getaway

The property and surroundings were welcoming and very relaxed. Everyone involved in our stay was pleasant and helpful as needed. The lake area is beautiful and offers a spectacular view at sunset. It was a very nice place to spend the week.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Maryann M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing lake property with beach front

This was my first attempt vacationing at a lake with my family. It was so relaxing to swim and lounge. The water is so clean and there are lots of canoes, kayaks, peddleboat, and floats for you to use. We went hiking at Mt Major which had extraordinary views. With the pandemic we didn’t adventure out too far but did visit a nice brewery. Thank you Sue and Art for a wonderful week. See you next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Karen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great vacation

We had a fantastic time staying at Crystal Lake. Sue and Art answered all our questions promptly. The beach area was clean and so relaxing. The kids had a blast jumping off the floating dock and playing in the water. Would stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

8/10 Good

Caroline C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Getaway

Cozy cottage within walking distance from a lakeside beach with plenty of space to choose either a sunny or shady spot. Also enjoyed the use of the boats. Owners were very friendly and accommodating!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept, 2023
Thanks for the kind words, Caroline. You and Paul were certainly wonderful guests. Sorry we couldn't have ordered better weather. Hope we see you again. Sue and Art
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Karen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

A perfect get away to relax and unwind. Great escape for those looking for peace and quiet with a dog friendly environment. Thank you Sue & Art for sharing your property with us.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jan A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Shanty rental

Sue and Art were great!. When we ran into a few problems, Sue was very gracious and went out of her way to be helpful. The place was very clean and had all the utensils, pots, pans, baking equipment that you could possibly need. The shuffle board and canoes were fun. Very relaxed atmosphere. I would highly recommend staying on their property, Jan and Ken
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept, 2023
Jan and Ken were wonderful guests and fun to have around. Very respectful of the property. I do want to clarify, though, that the problems she mentioned were her own personal issues and not ours. We always want to help regardless.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amanda B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Little Piece Of Heaven It Really Is

Our stay at the Shanty on Crystal acres was wonderful! The family and owners were fantastic and the Shanty was spotless and had all we needed for a nice relaxing ,yet fun vacation! My son Ricky made some new friends and I feel that I have too🙂The views of the lake and mountains are breathtaking and we had kayaks and. Paddle boat and tubes and sand toys available for use 👍One of our favorite places to stay for sure . Sue and Art and her family are fabulous ! We look forward to another stay next summer!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept, 2023
We enjoyed this family very much. My grand kids sure did enjoy Ricky. They were very respectful of the property and left the cottage in wonderful condition. We look forward to seeing them next year.

About the host

Hosted by Darcy Cloutman

Host profile image
My name is Darcy, and my family has owned this property for 5 generations- since 1898! We have enjoyed sharing it with guests for 100 years. My sister, Kristi, and I are both teachers but live at Crystal Acres each summer with our own families, and our parents live there year round. We love watching our guests enjoy the lake and swimming, hiking, fishing, building sandcastles, or just relaxing under the trees just as much as we love doing it ourselves!

Why they chose this property

Crystal Lake is ranked as oligotrophic, with high water clarity- the highest tier for pristine, clear water quality. We are proud to have a natural sand beach. It is quiet and family friendly, with lots of opportunities for both adventure and relaxation! We have a beautiful view of the Belknap Mountain Range, and are often told we have "the best spot on the lake"!

What makes this property unique

Crystal Acres is a place where people feel like they are at their own summer home. Parents often tell us it's the most relaxing vacation they've ever had because there is so much for the kids to do without having to leave. Swimming and playing in the sand is where most people spend their time, but there's also shuffleboard, lawn games, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, etc. There are also board games and books in the cottages for rainy days, and smart TV's where you can use your own streaming accounts. My personal favorite is building a fire in the fire pit on the beach, making smores and watching the sunset, then later the stars... you can see so much more from here than at home!

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