What a sweet little swimming spot! I last went to Dean Pond when I was a wee one, and seem to…read moreremember a sad little swimming area, no facilities and a non-existent beach (think "muck" between your toes and slimy little pond plants!). So...I really didn't have high expectations for this outing, but the pond is less than 15 minutes from my parents' house, so....off we went. Clearly, things have changed! The beach is now well defined AND nice and sandy (no muck....and good quality "sand castle sand" to boot!). My son and I had a great time playing, swimming and generally goofing around. The entry fee (parking) is $5, but that buys you a nice picnic area, changing facilities, real bathrooms, and nicely cared for grounds with plenty of room for sitting under the giant pines or eating a picnic meal. We went mid-week, and while there was a bus-load of campers, they were gone by 1pm, and we practically had the place to ourselves. This will definitely be a "must-go" place for us whenever we visit the grandparents!

It used to be a nice place for a lunch but it needs work. Time has left it behind and it is a…read moredreary place. It is unfortunate that it has been so forgotten. Money needs to be allocated towards restoring this place so that it can be something the community can be proud of. Some trails where a few people walk dogs but not much else going on there.

This is one of my absolute favorite places to hike! The trail around the main pond is very easy and…read morea very short hike. There are also a few places that have picnic table sites for you to grill at! I always notice people fishing, and I see people in the water with their inflatables. There are a few other trails to hike, which I highly recommend! The birding here is also fantastic. This place is magical!! Bring the pups! .... One last thought, just be aware that service is very patchy here!

Gorgeous lake and nature trails in a scenic, quiet, rural area. Nature-filled beauty! Picnic tables…read moreare great and often busy on holidays/weekends. I love this serene, beautiful place!

We camped at the group site here this past weekend (6/21-23). I would definitely recommend camping…read morehere with a large group, though it does book up quickly. The group site can accommodate up to 15 people. We had 12 and were MORE than comfortable. The site was large enough for all 6 of our tents and a canopy and could have accommodated more. There was plenty of grass and mulch to set up on, as well as ample space for parking, 2 fire pits, 2 picnic tables and an extra large grill, making it easy to cook for a big group. It was also far enough from other campsites to avoid bothering them, which we were concerned about with 12 young adults. It was located very close to the ranger station which had toilets but no showers. I never checked out the showers because we only stayed 2 nights but the bathrooms we used were clean and well kept. A few bugs in them late at night but that can't really be helped. The mosquitos were present but not as bad as some of the reviews I read suggested. Between the fire, a repelling device and bug spray we were not getting eaten alive. My friend did find one tick but caught it before it burrowed luckily. Just make sure you're checking for ticks each night. Some of the group went hiking which they said was lovely with pretty views. We checked out the beach which was a short walk from the group site. It was mainly set up for kids with a shallow roped off area, though there would have been nothing stopping you from climbing under the rope if you wanted to go for more of a swim. The water was still very cold that early in the season so I didn't get past my ankles. People were also fishing and launching kayaks near the beach. The park was pretty busy the whole weekend, so definitely not a secluded backwoods vibe, which was fine by me since I haven't camped much. I also appreciated the close proximity to Walmart which was useful for getting ice when we ran out. There is also a liquor store a short drive from the campsite, though officially alcohol is not allowed. All in all I would definitely come back here and reserve the group site again. It was an awesome trip for our larger group of friends.

Terrible place for a hike. Poor mapping. A lot of paved roads as "trails". Steer clear.read more

Beautiful clear lake and no visible sign of weed populations. However, the Lake is a heavily…read morepopulated with numerous cottages & newer, oversized McMansion style Lake Compounds. With that comes loud and fast aquatic toys. The Lake Association (or MASS DEP) regulate the flow pattern of water craft to a counter-clockwise direction, only. Arm powered water craft (i.e. canoes, kayaks, SUPs) have some leeway to go clockwise, BUT you have to stay close to the shore, especially if going against the grain. All in all, this is a nice lake to paddle, power boat, and fish. I'd recommend off season such as spring and fall if you want a more tranquil experience.

Do you have availability in august! Two adults maybe three for a night....flexible....clean good…read morebed....aug 7 -15..between those dates for 3/4 nights or week! Thank you Dayle two oldies .

Spending the day with the familia at the lake. Barely anyone here today (yay) and our choice of…read morepicnic table and grill. The beach is always well maintained by onsite seasonal workers and raked nightly. The grills are emptied nightly and the grassy areas well maintained and mowed. The do have ports potties but no indoor bathrooms or changing areas so come dressed with bathing suits on or hold a blanket around you old school style lol This beach does not have lifeguards but they do offer free life jackets in varying sizes. Free entry and parking is available with a few handicap spots. Carry in, carry out

Slow for turtles! well-maintained swimming spot beach and picnic tables; outhouse; nice grassy…read moreareas and picnic tables. Siog rec. hours are 10 AM to 6 PM Friday Saturday Sunday. There is ample parking and the water is clean but merky on the bottom, lots of wildlife saw ducks geese and a bald eagle here! Adjacent small beach on the opposite side you can access from a different side street, closed when rain or storm forecasted. Also has some wood trail access as well. Occasionally lifeguards? Maintenance staff onsite told me to leave early when a storm came in. Floats paddle boards etc allowed

What a special day at Quabbin Reservoir! I've always been fascinated by the history of the towns…read morethat were flooded to create the reservoir, so getting to see it in person was something special and our friends told us the history while we drove around and saw different spots along the way. The views were absolutely beautiful, and we may have gotten a little too excited when we spotted the turkeys. The best part was sharing the day with friends we met on a cruise 24 years ago. Beautiful scenery, fascinating history, wildlife, and longtime friends... it doesn't get much better than that.

The Quabbin Reservoir Visitor Center is well worth a visit. The history and evolution of the…read morereservoir including indigenous wildlife are explained in detail. Very friendly and helpful staff. Ample free parking, too. The Reservoir is astounding.

Convenient place to kayak and close to other favorite paddle destinations. Hamilton Reservoir has…read morea State boat launch, so expect some power boats and fishing vessels. Launching a kayak or canoe can be a little awkward from the edge of the boat ramp given possible boat traffic. Speaking of which, spring time is the best time to throw a line. Yes, even from a kayak. Through the summer months the "fishes" like to hide, at least from my novice hook and line. The Reservoir is bi-sected by a road causeway and essentially no a passage from side-to-side, unless you're willing to portage across the roadway. Despite, we found this to be a fairly relaxing loop to kayak and rubber neck at the cottages and high times along it's shores. Also, if you time your journey correctly, the Tree House Brewery is only the short distance away. If fresh brewed isn't your cup of tea, then I would suggest the Traveler Food & Books Restaurant which is even closer by along I-84.

I've been boating on this lake for 13 years, and yes--I can pronounce its full name, one of the…read morelongest place names in the world: Chargoggagoggmanchauggagaugchaubunagungamaugg. It's quite a mouthful! Purportedly the largest natural lake in Massachusetts, it's only about three miles long and one mile wide, which perhaps says more about Massachusetts lakes than it does this one. Still, it's a terrific local destination. The lake has a couple of marinas, three waterfront restaurants accessible by boat, a town beach with restrooms and a snack bar, and the popular Indian Ranch entertainment venue, which also includes an RV campground and the newer and quite good Samuel Slater's Restaurant. The lake offers something for almost everyone: fishing, swimming, boating, tubing, water skiing (there's even a water ski club), kayaking, and enough open water for all of those activities to coexist somewhat comfortably. Weekdays are wonderfully peaceful, making it easy to find a quiet cove or enjoy a leisurely cruise. Summer weekends, however, are another story. When the weather is hot, the lake becomes a very busy place. There are at least three eagle nests on the lake and one gas station. Unfortunately the gas station is currently closed. Dock space is in high demand, with waiting lists at the marinas. Development around the shoreline has steadily increased over the years. While a few natural stretches remain, nearly every buildable lot has been developed, and many of the original seasonal cottages have been replaced by sprawling year-round waterfront homes. I'm very fortunate to have this lake just a few minutes from home--and even more fortunate that I can usually enjoy it during the week, when the crowds are at work.

I really really love the lake it is so cool i go. Sking and I am very excited to get back there to…read morego swing sking and tubing their

A short hike brings you to a beautiful waterfall surrounded by large boulders perfect for…read moresunbathing. The area is posted "no swimming", but there were people in the water. It is also posted "no picnicking". The Willimantic River is not known for it's purity, so bathe at your own risk. Although the hike is short and easy, it is rocky and tree roots are staggered throughout. If you're careful you could probably get away with flip flops. There is also a

Beautiful!!! This little spot is amazing. The water is so beautiful. Definitely be mindful of the…read moreweather.

It was pouring down rain but the walk was still pittoresque. The flat terrain was perfect for a wet…read moreday

I love walking in here. The trails are easy to navigate and I love seeing the herons, ducks,…read morebeavers, and turtles. You can easily spend an hour in the refuge. It's a great place to walk and clear your head.