These 12 swimming holes in Massachusetts are pure magic

Massachusetts is home to some of the most exquisite swimming holes. From turquoise lakeside pools, hidden in majestic forests, to serene rivers tucked away between mountain peaks – opt for one of these top 10 swimming spots and take a dip into nature’s backyard!

Best Swimming Holes in Massachusetts

Ashland State Park

• Address: 156 W Union St, Ashland, MA 01721, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (811)
• Phone: +1 508-881-4092
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Top 12 Most Popular Swimming Holes in Massachusetts

Mystic Lakes State Park

• Address: 481 Mystic Valley Pkwy, Medford, MA 02155, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (746)
• Phone: +1 617-727-5380
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

  Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

  Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

  Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

  Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

  Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

  Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Reviews:
  Popular free spot for swimming, picnicking, and playing. There is parking, but it can fill up quickly on a hot day. Playground for kids, open grassy area, wooded area, small sand beach (Shannon Beach) are all available for use; however, the beach is currently undergoing work to build a new bathhouse, so there’s less space than usual. No plumbing at this time, though there are some portajohns. Swimming is pleasant, and there is a roped-off shallow swimming area by the beach, but no lifeguard, so open-water swimming is at your own risk. You can paddleboard or canoe as well. Although people could be a little better about cleaning up after themselves sometimes, it’s reasonably well kept. Lake may be closed for swimming due to bacteria levels the day after a heavy rain, so check the sign.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Laurie Brunner (4 months ago)

  Just a 20 min drive from Cambridge, so peaceful. Went for an afternoon stroll, hardly 3/4 people were there. Quiet, serene ambience. If you are done with the day, come here..the greens and smooth water of the lake are sure to take your worries and stress away.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By ARUSHA ACHARYYA (8 months ago)

  So many different kinds of birds. We recently saw an osprey grab a fish out of the water and eat it up in a tree! There is a bald eagle who nests nearby also! Its a great for photographers!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Arthur Johnson (7 months ago)

  Another great park in the Medford Malden Arlington

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Patrick Oleskey (5 months ago)

  decent path around a pretty lakes. The traffic on nearby road is a little fast and loud, which makes it slightly less peaceful. There was an eagle in a tree so that was pretty cool to see.

  ✭✭✭ By Bill C (a month ago)

Chicopee Memorial State Park

• Address: 570 Burnett Rd, Chicopee, MA 01020, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.3 (529)
• Phone: +1 413-594-9416
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

  Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

  Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

  Thursday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

  Friday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

  Saturday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

  Sunday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
• Reviews:
  My first time going and I wished I have gone sooner. Beautiful area with lots of areas to picnic and BBQ. Very clean and safe. Water was cold and clean and safe to swim. Plenty of lifeguards and very clean restrooms. A must place to go for the summer and best of all pet friendly.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Elaine Farrer (5 months ago)

  Park is nice we’ll kept and plenty of things to do. Water closes at 5:30 so keep that in mind.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By lola perez (5 months ago)

  Swimming, fishing, walking, and picnicking. Beautiful clean park has it all.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Gilberto Otero (2 months ago)

  Wonderful area if you just want to have some solidarity solidarity or if you’re there with family. We saw some people fishing as we enjoyed walking the path I can the path with our kids. Highly recommend!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By NIC NAI (2 months ago)

  Great place to walk, enjoy the outdoors and get some fresh air.
  Our dog loved it

  ✭✭✭✭ By Lynn C (a year ago)

Shannon Beach

• Address: Mystic River Path, Winchester, MA 01890, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.3 (521)
• Phone: +1 617-727-5380
• Website: Link
• Reviews:
  Under construction and a real mess. Beach was closed due to high bacterial levels. It needs a lot of work right now. Also there’s been violence there as well as two drownings during the summer of 22.

  There’s a reasonable amount of parking, but no electric car charging facilities.

  ✭ By Justin O’Connor (4 months ago)

  The beach “could” be nice. It really could be if :

  If It was not crowded like hell because of a memorial day
  If It was not in the middle of a construction (not finished for memorial day, it lasted 6 months…) so more than half of the beach is out of access
  If It was not after going at Walden pond, seeing that the parking lot is full ( 9.30 am…).. And going to Sandy pond ( seeing that there is no public access to the lake)… With 4 kids and a picnic in my car

  Question for Massachusetts people ( I have lived here for the last 3 years): how is it possible that in a territory where you have so many lakes/ponds, there is absolutely no way to swim or to enjoy a lake view while sitting on a towel with a picnic during hor days? I don’t even talk about Gloucester beaches…..I don’t understand.

  ✭✭ By Guillemette Masse (7 months ago)

  One of my favorite places of all time for taking longer walks and relax by the water.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Wise Guide (8 months ago)

  Great swimming! 1 suggestion would be to remove some trees between water and picnic tables area so parents can see kids better when in water. I mean how hard can it be they already have construction going to make place better anyway! I will be back Shannon Beach! Thank you!

  ✭✭✭✭ By Jen M (4 months ago)

  Great place to hangout with family and friends. There is a nice beach (constructing currently) and sidewalks around the lake is good to walk and jog. Large parking space is good too.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By T S (3 months ago)

Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area

• Address: 840 Hillside St, Milton, MA 02186, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (503)
• Phone: +1 617-698-1802
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Reviews:
  Great family day out. Safe swimming within a shallow cordoned off bathing area. Just behind the shoreline there was lots of space for picnics and barbecues amid a picturesque tree lined backdrop. Lifeguards were present and super helpful. Matt and Kevin gave us loads of great advice about the local area. We really appreciated it, thank you.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Scott Lenik (5 months ago)

  This is a fun park with lots of clear trails and lots of different terrains. There is the beach and the forested area and pond for fishing and lots of grass for sports and tables for picnics. Great spot.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Topher Ellis (4 months ago)

  Moderate hike to buck hill was beautiful. Quiet well marked trails. Great views from the top of the hill. Boston skyline views. Ocean views. Windy and cold today.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Christopher Newman (a year ago)

  Great views. Nice place to fish. Great little kid play zone.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Brian Shaw (2 months ago)

  We enjoyed the pond after blue hills reservation hike.. awesome place

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By BHARTI TWINS (3 months ago)

Puffers Pond

• Address: Amherst, MA 01002, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (445)

Hampton Ponds State Park

• Address: 1048 N Rd, Westfield, MA 01085, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.3 (359)

Trap Falls

• Address: 599 Main St, West Townsend, MA 01474, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (300)

Arlington Reservoir

• Address: 210 Lowell St, Arlington, MA 02474, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (234)

Green River Swimming and Recreation Area

• Address: 1 Nash’s Mill Rd, Greenfield, MA 01301, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (202)

Umpachene Falls Park

• Address: Umpachene Falls Rd, Southfield, MA 01259, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (150)

Wendell State Forest

• Address: 392 Montague Rd, Wendell, MA 01379, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (144)

Lake Wyola State Park

• Address: 94 Lakeview Rd, Shutesbury, MA 01072, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (122)

That’s it for our list of the best swimming holes in Massachusetts! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers. And don’t forget to check out some of the other posts on our blog for more travel inspiration. Happy beachcombing!