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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.

32 listings

  • Greenfield, MA

    Green River Swimming and Recreation Area

    This 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

    Nash's Mill Road
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  • North Adams, MA

    Windsor Lake

    Very 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.

    Intersection of Bradley Street and Kemp Avenue 413-662-3000
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  • Orange, MA

    Lake Mattawa

    This 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.

    Lake Mattawa Road 978-544-2254
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  • Shutesbury, MA

    Lake Wyola State Park

    This 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.

    94 Lakeview Road 413-367-0317
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  • Wilbraham, MA

    Spec Pond

    Friendly environment; life guards on duty; concession stand; swim rafts for advanced swimmers; fresh, clean water tested weekly; bathrooms. Admission charged; see website.

    Old Boston Post Road (Route 20)
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  • Ashland, MA

    Ashland State Park

    Ashland 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).

    162 West Union Street 508 881-4092
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  • Chicopee, MA

    Chicopee Memorial State Park

    Chicopee 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)

    570 Burnett Road 413-594-9416
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  • Worcester, MA

    Bell Pond

    City-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.

    238 Belmont Street

  • Hopkinton, MA

    Hopkinton State Park

    This 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)

    164 Cedar Street 508-435-4303
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  • Worcester, MA

    Coes Pond Beach

    The 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.

    200 Mill Street
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  • Leominster, MA

    Leominster State Forest

    Leominster 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)

    90 Fitchburg Road - Route 31 508-874-2303
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  • Worcester, MA

    Shore Park Beach

    This 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.

    111 Shore Drive
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  • Yarmouth, MA

    Long Pond (Wings Grove)

    Open 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.

    Indian Memorial Drive off Station Avenue 508-398-2231
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  • Yarmouth, MA

    Flax Pond

    Memorial 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.

    North Main Street 508-398-2231
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  • Yarmouth, MA

    Sandy Pond Beach and Recreation Area

    Open 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.

    Buck Island Road 508-398-2231
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  • Dennis, MA

    Scargo Lake Beach

    Memorial 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.

    Scargo Hill Road 508-760-6159
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  • Eastham, MA

    Wiley Park

    Third 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

    Herring Brook Road
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  • Florida, MA

    Savoy Mountain State Forest

    This 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.

    260 Central Shaft Road 413-663-8469
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  • Winchester, MA

    Mystic Lakes

    The 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.

    Between Route 3 and Mystic Valley Parkway 617-727-5380
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  • Milton, MA

    Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area

    Supervised 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.

    840 Hillside Street 617-698-1802
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  • Natick, MA

    Cochituate State Park

    Picnicking 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

    43 Commonwealth Road 508-653-9641
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