Finding a place to swim in Central Mass that isn’t a pool can seem challenging these days. Also not knowing if the space is great for young families or not is another headache that deters many families from swimming at local ponds and lakes. But don’t you worry because we rounded up some great local outdoor swimming spots all over Central Mass for you and your families to enjoy this summer!
South Central Mass
Pout Pond (Uxbridge)
This is a small pond that is well taken care of with fresh sand donated, perfect for building sandcastles. The rate is $3/per person for a Day Pass ($12 family cap) or you can buy a season pass for $40 (Uxbridge residents) or $65 for non-residents.
Wallum Lake at Douglas State Forest (Douglas)
Enjoy a day of swimming in the Douglas State Forest. The area offers spots of shade or sun, depending on your preference. There are also walking trails that you can do from the swimming area. Daily parking fees are charged via the YODEL app from May 24 through October 13 at $9 (MA resident) and $30 (non-MA resident). MA Resident annual parking pass is $60.
Carbuncle Pond (Oxford)
This is not only a beach for swimming but also a splash pad. It is owned and operated by the Town of Oxford. Daily Passes for admittance can be obtained on-site upon arrival.
Lake Singletary (Sutton)
Marion’s Camp, located at Lake Singletary, is located at the end of Tuttle Road and is now open year-round. There is no swimming during swim lessons. Season passes for both Sutton Residents ($25) and Non-Residents ($50) can be purchased online. Daily pass fees can only be purchased at the beach for $5.00 per person.
Mendon Town Beach (Mendon)
The beach opens on June 23rd, 2025. Their hours are 7 days a week from 11am-7pm. CLOSED on the 4th of July. Stay up-to-date with updates and weather-related closings on their Facebook page. The free parking lot is across the street, next to a decent-sized park and sports fields. Admission is $3 per person (Mendon Residents) and $5 per person (Non-Residents). Children 2 & Under and Adults 60+ are FREE! Season passes are $75 for residents and $150 for non-residents. They accept cash & credit cards.
Memorial Beach (Webster)
This is a town-owned public beach located right on Webster Lake. It offers a swimming area and a playground close by. They offer both daily and sticker passes for both residents and non-residents. They can be purchased online or in person at the beach in season. They also offer FREE entrance for the Disabled and Active Duty Military with ID (see website for more details).
Buffumville Lake Park (Charlton)
Buffumville Park is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and it is Friday-Tuesday (see website for more updates on hours) from mid-May through mid-September. There is a daily fee of $5 or an annual pass of $40 that can be paid onsite at the automated fee machine.
Silver Lake Beach (Bellingham)
This is a small beach with a playground and a splash pad in the same area. Lifeguards are on duty from late June through Labor Day. Only porta-potties are available for restrooms. Fishing is also allowed. Seasonal passes are required and can be purchased online for $10 (Bellingham residents) and $60 (non-residents).
North Central Mass
Sandy Pond (Ayer)
Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty. Sandy Pond Beach is free to residents. Non-residents may use Sandy Pond Beach for a daily fee of $8.00 ($5.00 for children), but parking is limited to residents who have a Sandy Pond Beach parking sticker.
Mirror Lake (Devens)
Mirror Lake offers an enjoyable and relaxing environment for both individuals and families. In 2025, the beach is open from June 21 to August 31, 7 days/week from 10am-7pm. You can swim, sunbathe, and paddle during the open season. They also offer rentals including kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and paddle boats. Daily fees during the weekday are $8 per adult (age 12 and over) and $6 per child, and during the weekend, $10 per adult and $7 per child. They also offer season passes $70/single, $120/for 4-person pass, $180 for 5-person pass, or $240 for 6-8 person pass. Keep in mind that they only accept cash and checks here.
Central Mass
Coes Pond Beach (Worcester)
John J. Binienda Memorial Beach (formerly Coes Pond Beach) includes a bathhouse, a swimming area, and a sandy beach. It is a perfect place for families. You can also rent kayaks, paddle boats, and paddle boards. Parking is free.
Regatta Point (Worcester)
The Regatta Point area is a part of the Quinsigamond State Park. It offers swimming, sailing, picnicking, and fishing. There is a daily fee charged year-round $8 (MA Residents) and $30 (Non-MA Residents).
Indian Lake Beach (Worcester)
Indian Lake Beach is on the eastern side of Indian Lake, and it is a small public beach. It’s located within a residential neighborhood at 34 Sherburne Avenue, Worcester.
Silver Lake Beach (Grafton)
This sandy beach offers picnic tables and grills, an outdoor shower, fishing, boating, and lots of swimming. They offer day passes to Grafton residents ONLY (family season passes for Grafton residents are $45), but you can purchase a non-resident family season pass for $75.
Kiwanis Beach (Upton)
This small beach offers swimming, summer concerts, and children’s programming all summer long. It is also staffed by lifeguards. The daily rate fee is $15 (Upton Residents) and $25 (Non-Residents). They offer a season pass at $60 (Upton Residents) and $125 (Non-Residents).
East of Central Mass
Hopkinton State Park (Hopkinton)
This state park has two seasonal swimming beaches staffed seasonally by lifeguards and a variety of sunny and shaded picnic areas to enjoy with your family. Parking fee is $8 for MA residents and $30 for non-MA residents.
Ashland State Park (Ashland)
During the summer months, this year-round park offers hiking, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, and boating. The parking lot fills to capacity quickly, so make sure to plan to arrive early. The parking fee is $8 for MA residents and $30 for non-MA residents. P
Lake Cochituate (Natick)
Lake Cochituate has three linked ponds at Cochituate State Park. It not only offers spots for swimming but also boating, sailing, hiking, and fishing. There are picnic areas, grills, and restrooms. The parking fee is $8 for MA residents and $30 for non-MA residents.
NARA Park (Acton)
Nathaniel Allen Recreation Area has a sandy beach leading up to the lake, large umbrellas for shade, and a playground and walking trails located directly next to the beach. Daily entry fee is $6 per person for ages 2 & up, with a cap of $24 per household up to 6 members (Acton Resident), and $8 per person for ages 11 & under, $10 for ages 12 & up, with a cap of $45 per household up to 6 members (Non-Residents).
Walden Pond (Concord)
The main beach is closed for the 2025 season due to the construction of a new, universally accessible bathhouse. Red Cross Beach at Walden Pond will remain open, though it will not have lifeguards on duty. Check out other DCR locations this summer.
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