Beaches - Fresh Water
Fresh water beaches in MA parks & mountains are clean and beautiful
Enjoy clear and clean freshwater lakes and spring-fed ponds at town beaches, state parks, forests, and recreation areas. Swim, sunbathe, and paddle and you’ll find boat and handicap accessible ramps, life guards, restrooms, changing rooms, showers, and concession stands. The beaches, some with sandy shorelines, offer swim rafts, jump off towers, year-round camping, nature trials and fishing. Picnic areas may have tables and grills. There are playgrounds, courts for basketball, softball, volleyball, and tennis and places just right for families with small children and elderly adults.
Our picks
Greenfield, MA
Green River Swimming and Recreation Area
Nash's Mill Road, directions to Green River Swimming and Recreation AreaThis swimming and recreation area is west of Greenfield and adjacent to Murphy Park. It can be reached by bicycle along the Riverside Community Path. Recreation includes an in stream swimming pool with sand beach, a toddler play area, ball fields, concessions and picnic areas. There are grassy areas and shaded areas. The picnic area on the north side of the Green River can be reached by a pedestrian bridge. The north side does not have a beach, but concrete stairs extend to the water. There are about three dozen picnic tables. Parking is available in a gravel parking lot.
Fees: family, $65-$95; individual, $40-$55; seniors, $30-$40
North Adams, MA
Windsor Lake
Intersection of Bradley Street and Kemp Avenue, directions to Windsor Lake 413-662-3000Very beautiful lake managed by the city of North Adams. (Local people call it Fish Pond.) Nice, beach, clear water, lots of opportunity for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Life guards. Picnic areas within easy view of the lake. The city hosts free summer concerts every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. A private campground is located on the lake shore.
Orange, MA
Lake Mattawa
Lake Mattawa Road, directions to Lake Mattawa 978-544-2254This very clear, spring-fed lake is popular for its small swimming beach, trout fishing, and ice fishing. Fish found in this lake include rainbow and brown trout (the state stocks the lake each spring, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, bluegill, yellow perch, golden shiner, white sucker, and brown bullhead. Two paved ramps from Lake Mattawa Road provide boat access to the water. Motorboats may use no higher than 10 hp engines. No parking for admission fees.
Shutesbury, MA
Lake Wyola State Park
94 Lakeview Road, directions to Lake Wyola State Park 413-367-0317This state park has a 130-acre lake with clear waters. The lake has picnic sites with charcoal grills and lifeguards watch swimmers. The eastern end of the lake has a public boat ramp. The lake offers excellent fishing for bass and trout. The parking lot, boardwalk and restrooms are accessible to wheelchairs. Ball fields are available for play. Also the park has a volleyball court, a horseshoe pit, and a nature trail.
Wilbraham, MA
Spec Pond
Old Boston Post Road (Route 20), directions to Spec PondFriendly environment; life guards on duty; concession stand; swim rafts for advanced swimmers; fresh, clean water tested weekly; bathrooms. Admission charged; see website.
Brimfield, MA
Brimfield State Forest
86 Dearth Hill Road, directions to Brimfield State Forest 413-267-9687This state forest has a cozy and refreshing 100 linear feet of calm beach, with picnic facilities for that post-swim hunger.
Charlemont, MA
Mohawk Trail State Forest
175 Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2), directions to Mohawk Trail State Forest 413-339-5504Swim in the designated pool area during the warm months, and cool off after a hike on any of many forest trails. - Trail Map (PDF)
Goshen, MA
D.A.R. State Forest
78 Cape Street - MA Route 112, directions to D.A.R. State Forest 413-268-7098Go for a refreshing dip in the Upper and Lower Highland Lakes, or at the unguarded campers-only beach.
Westfield, MA
Hampton Ponds State Park
1048 North Road, directions to Hampton Ponds State Park 413-532-3985Lots of fresh-water swimming opportunities at this popular park, packed with people doing water sports.
Wendell, MA
Wendell State Forest
392 Montague Road, directions to Wendell State Forest 413-659-379710-acre Ruggles Pond has clear, cool water for day swimming.
Feeding Hills, MA
Robinson State Park
428 North Street, directions to Robinson State Park 413-786-2877Swim in Robinson Pond, with picnic sites, parking, and restrooms located nearby. - Trail Map (PDF)
Ashland, MA
Ashland State Park
162 West Union Street, directions to Ashland State Park 508 881-4092Ashland State Park is located on the large Ashland Reservoir. The park offers fresh water swimming, picnicking, boating, fishing, bicycling and hiking. The park has a boat ramp. There is wheelchair access to the beach, bathhouse, picnic and hiking trails. There are no life guards.
Parking: Available mid-May to Labor Day, $8 daily for MA vehicles and $30 daily for out-of-state vehicles. - Trail Map (PDF).
Clarksburg, MA
Clarksburg State Park
1199 Middle Road, directions to Clarksburg State Park 413-664-8345Unguarded swimming is available at Mauserts Pond. Pets are permitted on leash. - Trail Map (PDF)
Chicopee, MA
Chicopee Memorial State Park
570 Burnett Road, directions to Chicopee Memorial State Park 413-594-9416Chicopee State Park, previously called the Cooley Brook Reservoir, has a 25-acre pond for swimming and fishing. Beach is wheelchair accessible. Picnic grounds and restrooms also are available. The park has trails for walking and bicycling. The park is open daily, 8 a.m-4 pm. During busy weekends and some holidays, the parking lot may be filled and therefore temporarily closed until more parking is available. For information on parking lot closures and openings, consult Twitter at @MassDCR. - Trail Map (PDF)
Worcester, MA
Bell Pond
238 Belmont Street, directions to Bell PondCity-run beach; life guards on duty noon to 7 p.m.; free parking; bathrooms
This pond is located within the city's Bell Hill Park, and it is popular among Worcester residents. Along with other city of Worcester beaches, it is typically open for general public access the first week of July through the mid-August. Bathrooms; lifeguards on duty during public hours. Free parking. Open year-round.
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m.
Douglas, MA
Douglas State Forest
107 Wallum Lake Road, directions to Douglas State Forest 508-476-7872This state forest includes Wallum Lake, which has a swimming beach, picnic area, boat ramp, and many other outdoor activities. The park is popular and can reach capacity during high season in summer. - Trail Map (PDF)
Hopkinton, MA
Hopkinton State Park
164 Cedar Street, directions to Hopkinton State Park 508-435-4303This park on the Hopkinton Reservoir has two swimming beaches staffed by life guards May through Labor Day and stocked fishing. On busy summer days, parking lot may fill up, requiring closing of the park for limited periods of time. For closure updates, follow the park on Twitter at @MassDCR. - Trail Map (PDF)
Worcester, MA
Coes Pond Beach
200 Mill Street, directions to Coes Pond BeachThe Coes Reservoir (commonly referred to as Coes Pond) property includes the Coes Beach and bathhouse, Coes Knife Dam, Columbus Park, the former Fenton Parcel and the former Knights of Columbus.The Major Taylor Bike Trail passes Coes Pond. Beach is operated by the City of Worcester. This is a fresh water beach with bathrooms. Life guards are on duty during public hours. Free parking. Open year round.
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m.
Leominster, MA
Leominster State Forest
90 Fitchburg Road - Route 31, directions to Leominster State Forest 508-874-2303Leominster State Forest has two ponds. Crow Hill Pond has a swimming beach, a changing house, two picnic areas with tables and grills. Lifeguards are on duty from mid-June until Labor Day. This pond also is stocked with trout. The other pond is Paradise Pond. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, parking fees are charged in the paved parking lots. This property also is used for hiking, mountain biking, and cross country skiing. - Trail Map (PDF)
Worcester, MA
Shore Park Beach
111 Shore Drive, directions to Shore Park BeachThis is one of two sandy beaches operated by the City of Worcester of Indian Lake, which is 193 acres with a mean depth of about 11 feet. The beach has a 200-foot beachfront for swimming, picnic and recreation areas, and food concessions. Life guards on duty during public hours. For access to boat ramps, visit Clason Road Beach, also on Indian Lake but with limited access through a neighborhood. Fishing is popular here, where fishermen can find tiger muskie and northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch, carp, and black crappies.
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m.
Yarmouth, MA
Long Pond (Wings Grove)
Indian Memorial Drive off Station Avenue, directions to Long Pond (Wings Grove) 508-398-2231Open Memorial Day to Labor Day; fresh water beach on inland pond
This small, fresh-water beach on a pond has a playground and a wooded area. Life guards; basketball court; seasonal Porta-John. Operated by the town of Yarmouth.
Fees: Town beach stickers may be purchased by town residents Town Hall. Beach stickers cost $25 a day, $100 a week, or $250 a season.
Yarmouth, MA
Flax Pond
North Main Street, directions to Flax Pond 508-398-2231Memorial Day to Labor Day; fresh water pond, no sandy beach; playing fields; picnic area
Fresh-water pond with pine-needle covered grounds; no sandy beach. This is the recreational area for the town of Yarmouth summer activities program. Recreation area with ball field, volleyball, basketball court, picnic area, bathroom facilities, parking. Lifeguards on duty.
Fees: Town beach stickers may be purchased by town residents at Town Hall. Resident sticker is $35. Non-residence may purchase beach stickers at beach booths. Cost for non-residents is $20 a day, $75 a week, $250 a year.
Brewster, MA
Nickerson State Park
3488 Main Street - Route 6A, directions to Nickerson State Park 508-896-3491Inland park offers lots of camping; fresh water swimming, fishing and paddling; hiking and biking
This is a park in the woods of Cape Cod, and swimming is in fresh-water ponds. - Trail Map (PDF)
Yarmouth, MA
Sandy Pond Beach and Recreation Area
Buck Island Road, directions to Sandy Pond Beach and Recreation Area 508-398-2231Open Memorial Day to Labor Day; fresh water pond; parking fee
This beach, on a freshwater pond, offers tennis courts, a basketball court, a softball field, and other playing fields, picnic area, playground, restrooms. Lifeguards and gate attendants on duty 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Operated by the town of Yarmouth.
Fees: Town beach stickers may be purchased by town residents at Town Hall, 1146 Route 28, South Yarmouth, and at the Chamber of Commerce, 424 Route 28, West Yarmouth. Beach stickers cost $25 a day, $100 a week, or $250 a season.
Dennis, MA
Scargo Lake Beach
Scargo Hill Road, directions to Scargo Lake Beach 508-760-6159Memorial Day to Labor Day; freshwater pond swimming in the woods
Freshwater swimming surrounded by woods. Life guards; restroom; snack bar; handicap accessible.
Fees: Resident beach stickers, $50 per year; non-residents, $90 weekly and $180 seasonally. Buy stickers at Dennis Town Hall, 485 Main Street.
Eastham, MA
Wiley Park
Herring Brook Road, directions to Wiley ParkThird week of June to Labor Day; inland pond with some salt and fresh water; good for younger kids
This beach, on Great Pond, is great for families with small children. A smaller and a larger pond connect to the Bay by Herring Brook, so some water is salt and some is fresh. Swimmers can jump off platforms out in water. The sand beach area is small and there is shade. Good for small children and elderly adults. Life guards on duty, food for sale, bathrooms and showers, playground, picnic area. Managed by the Town of Eastham.
Fees: Daily, $25; weekly, $100; two-week, $150; seasonal $250
Saugus, MA
Breakheart Reservation – Pearce Lake
177 Forest Street, directions to Breakheart Reservation – Pearce Lake 781-233-0834Swimming is done at Pearce Lake, one of two freshwater lakes in this region.
Florida, MA
Savoy Mountain State Forest
260 Central Shaft Road, directions to Savoy Mountain State Forest 413-663-8469This park has a huge range of recreational opportunities. North and South Ponds both have beaches and swimming, without life guards, is done at the North Pond day use area. North Pond has a boat ramp. Both ponds have nice picnic sites.
East Brimfield, MA
East Brimfield Lake / Holland Pond / Lake Siog / Quinebaug River Recreation Area
Route 20 and East Brimfield Holland Road, directions to East Brimfield Lake / Holland Pond / Lake Siog / Quinebaug River Recreation AreaSwimming in a lake and several ponds at this very large recreation area.
Winchester, MA
Mystic Lakes
Between Route 3 and Mystic Valley Parkway, directions to Mystic Lakes 617-727-5380The Mystic Lakes offer swimming in fresh water at Sandy Beach, just off Mystic Valley Parkway. Sailing programs are offered at the Tufts University Boathouse. Upper Mystic Lake is for non-motorized boats (canoes, kayaks), only. Lower Mystic Lake is for power boats.
Milton, MA
Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area
840 Hillside Street, directions to Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area 617-698-1802Supervised swimming beach at this spring-fed kettle pond. Concession pavilion and Visitor’s Center open seasonally. Restrooms, telephones, and a first-aid station at the bathhouse on the beach. Lifeguards from late June through Labor Day. Handicapped ramp leads to the water.
Natick, MA
Cochituate State Park
43 Commonwealth Road, directions to Cochituate State Park 508-653-9641Picnicking and swimming are allowed only on the middle section of this long, segmented lake.
Hours (Summer): 8am - 8pm, bathrooms locked at 7pm.
Parking Fees (May-October): $8 for MA Residents; $30 for Out-of-State Residents
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