Hi folks, I was wondering where most people were doing there open water swimming in Massachusetts?
I had a sad experience today - I went to Lake Cochituate, with an escort (we rented a kayak), and about 100 meters into the swim, we had a lifeguard from a nearby beach telling me I couldn't swim in the lake, outside of the buoy area (which was no more than 2ft deep and absolutely tiny. So I swam back and forth a couple times, while my friend kayaked around the beautiful lake for a little while. That's quite a waste a very nice lake I think.
Are other lakes in Massachusetts similar to this? Are there lakes with Kayak rental available that actually let swimmers in the lake?
Hi John,
Happy to help.
There are some great places out here, and even some relatively close to you. Westfield, etc.
In Westfield, there's the Hampton Ponds State Park. Haven't been there, because it's a bit far for me. But it's a good option for something closer to you?
I swim in Belchertown often, at Belchertown Beach. Mostly, I go there because it's close to my house, and slightly larger than Puffer's Pond, the local Amherst swimming hole. It's been pretty warm this summer but since I'm a cold gal generally, I like that. To swim there, you have to park at their lot, but there's a way to enter the water without going through their defined swim area.
Normally, I'd also swim in the Connecticut River but this year, it's been unsafe. Too high, and with too much debris.
Lake Wyola is also an option. There are boats there so it's important to swim along the perimeter. And you will, again, have to enter from outside the park area, unless, like me, you tell the lifeguards that you are about to swim "out of bounds" and that you hope they look away. :)
Crystal Lake, in Connecticut, is about 40 minutes South of you. Never been there, but a friend loves it.
My favorite place is in Vermont, at Harriman Reservoir. It would be a schlep for you, but if you want a beautiful swim in a lovely place, that's the thing to do. So nice. I just did a 3-hour swim there a few weeks ago and my husband and I were the only people there the entire time.
I know there are other places I am not thinking of right now! I will do some more thinking and let you know. Hope this helps a little!
Sydne
Hi John,
Happy to help.
There are some great places out here, and even some relatively close to you. Westfield, etc.
In Westfield, there's the Hampton Ponds State Park. Haven't been there, because it's a bit far for me. But it's a good option for something closer to you?
I swim in Belchertown often, at Belchertown Beach. Mostly, I go there because it's close to my house, and slightly larger than Puffer's Pond, the local Amherst swimming hole. It's been pretty warm this summer but since I'm a cold gal generally, I like that. To swim there, you have to park at their lot, but there's a way to enter the water without going through their defined swim area.
Normally, I'd also swim in the Connecticut River but this year, it's been unsafe. Too high, and with too much debris.
Lake Wyola is also an option. There are boats there so it's important to swim along the perimeter. And you will, again, have to enter from outside the park area, unless, like me, you tell the lifeguards that you are about to swim "out of bounds" and that you hope they look away. :)
Crystal Lake, in Connecticut, is about 40 minutes South of you. Never been there, but a friend loves it.
My favorite place is in Vermont, at Harriman Reservoir. It would be a schlep for you, but if you want a beautiful swim in a lovely place, that's the thing to do. So nice. I just did a 3-hour swim there a few weeks ago and my husband and I were the only people there the entire time.
I know there are other places I am not thinking of right now! I will do some more thinking and let you know. Hope this helps a little!
Sydne
