The Baker River runs the length of Warren on its way south toward Plymouth, and snowmelt from Mt Moosilauke keeps it cold and clear well into July. A string of natural swimming holes forms where the current slows around granite ledges — deep enough to jump from the rocks above, shallow enough at the edges for younger children to wade. There are no designated swimming areas with lifeguards; you find a pull-off on Route 25, scramble down to the water, and have it more or less to yourself on weekdays. The best spots are between the fish hatchery and the village center. Water levels vary considerably — after heavy rain the river runs fast and murky, so pick a warm stretch after a dry spell.