Who in their right mind pays a fee to use public land. Parking is one thing, but to seriously…read morecharge people to use a boat launch is beyond disappointing and I will not spend any money to do so. Your swimming/beach area isn't even open (and hasn't been in several years), so what are you doing with this money? You offer absolutely nothing and a boat launch should be free. Honestly pathetic.

This review is for the fishing aspect of Lake McDonough. The water in this lake is extremely clear…read moreand there are steep drop-offs, so naturally, the fishing can be very difficult. Also, the place seems to have a lot of bass in the 1# to 1.5# range. They can be fun to catch, but it would be nice to get some larger ones once in a while. Never caught a trout here, or seen one follow my lure, for that matter. On the positive side, the launch is great, your boat will come off easy. $6 to launch and another $6 to park. Lake is never crowded with boat traffic, no water skiers or jet skiers, which is also good. Very scenic too, just wish the fishing was better, because I only live 4 miles from here. FYI, alcohol is not allowed, they will search your cooler. Gate opens at 8am on weekends, 10am on weekdays (which I find a tad late being a fisherman, but it is what it is).

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 .

The nicest sandy beach that I've found in the general area. Safe roped off area for the kids,…read morelifeguards in season and 2 floating docks. Clean, peaceful and accessible without a fee. How I would love a home on this little lake. No cell service, only wifi. Boat launch, porta potty but no other facilities or food.

Cute little beach in the heart of Monterey that never really gets crowded. I assume this is because…read moremany of the residents of Monterey actually have lake front property and don't really need to go here. Great spot if you have kids and they like sandcastles. Plus...having a lifeguard means you can finally read that trashy summer novel that you keep in your beach bag.

"Who wants to brave those bronze beauties Lying in the sun…read moreWith their long soft hair falling Flying as they run And head out to Fire Lake" (Bob Seger) Hard as we tried to find one, we couldn't find a trail anywhere. We found the lake, a few beaches, a few lifeguard chairs, and the boat launch, but no trail. I even asked the lifeguards where the trail was, and they all looked at me like I was speaking Martian. Anyway, the lake is gorgeous and the small beaches are super cute

Short trail that loops around, great for doggies and getting exercise quickly around the lake.read more

Wethersfield Cove is an inlet which connects to the Connecticut River. There were warehouses built…read morein the 1600s, to store goods such as food and lumber to be sent out to trade with places like the West Indies; products traded in return were rum, molasses, and sugar. The Cove Warehouse Museum still stands today and is open seasonally to the public. There is the heritage trail that runs through it, a boat ramp, rocky beach, picnic tables, porta potty, and a huge parking lot. As far as beach goes, I wouldn't advise swimming in it because of a huge sewage leak back in the 1990s. It is a beautiful spot to walk, picnic, and just enjoy the vista. I'm sure it's fun to go boating on it too. Overall, a nice little neighborhood park with tons of history.

This little hidden spot is a gem if you're looking to get away from the busy life. It is peaceful,…read morewith manicured grass, a little stream of the Connecticut River, and some geese staying cool in the water. It is super easy to access, just an easy drive down the road from Old Wethersfield and past the dreaded DMV. You can bring your lunch here and have it on the bench. Be sure to dispose of your litter in the trash can. There was a very kind older gentleman who was working to pick up the litter of the ground, he said "it gives me something to do". There's no reason for this, as there's a substantial amount of trash cans. This is a nice place to go on a boat ride down the Connecticut River, and to try to catch some fish. The Wethersfield Cove is a beautiful place to rest your mind and your eyes.

On memory alone this place scores a 5! Yes it is somewhat dirty with tons of goose crap. But I…read morebasically spent years 2-16 coming here all the time. The little play area of the park was so cool when I was 2-5. Then it was the lake I loved swimming in and where I learned how to swim (6-8). My mom would always yell to me not to go past my waist but I did any way. The trick is to go in almost to the waist and dive forward and go under and then swim back to waist length depth. She never knew, or, she probably did and figured she would let me think I was being clever. A little older I remember throwing my ninja turtle(s) into the "deep end" and trying to find them. So yah, if anyone finds him send me a message. When I was a little older I jumped off the docks and eventually, rode my bike off of it too (dumb "tweens"). There were always the basketball courts though those are in sad shape and when I was younger, the scary older boys looked imposing. Around the same time my friend and I would ride our bikes* to Rogers lake and/or kayak. Finally, from about 14-16 or 17 or so, I did crew and those are my last memories. I think I purposely flipped my boat deep in the water the last time I ever went on the lake. *Watch your bikes. Don't do what I did and "hide" it by some bush near the lake. Some good for nothing low life scum stole my Grey Gary Fisher bike and I never got it back, obviously (cops don't care). I wish karma strikes this loser back in whatever way is deemed appropriate by those who dole it out (perhaps some low life can steal his/her childs bike). Other than bike stealing low life losers, I suspect it was someone with the first name E, this is a safe place.

My wife and I visited today for the very first time and it was amazing...the nude area at the…read moreledges was so relaxing and was worth the 2 hr travel to get there and we will most definitely be frequenting there more this season...Hope to see you there

A wonderful, secluded beach tucked away in southern Vermont. You can stay on the main portion of…read morethe beach where they have grass, grills, and facilities; or, take a hike down the well-worn trail, deeper into the woods, and find surf, sand, and the eponymous rock ledges where you can sun yourself like a cat.

The boat launch is a little awkward to use if you don't have a boat trailer, but entirely…read morefunctional. It is a wide ramp, with enough theoretical room for at least three vehicles abreast, at a time. However, the parking area is a few hundred feet away, back up the road. The Lake itself is very nice. The water is pretty clean (likely thanks to ongoing cleanup efforts). I just hope that there aren't any herbicides in the water I should be worried about. I haven't used the beach, here.

Fed by Aborn Brook, located at the south end Crystal Lake is replaced about once every year…read more The entire shore is lined by residential property with only one public beach located on Sandy Beach Road (Rt. 140) Off of Route 30 in Ellington, the State operates a boat launch on the west shore of the lake. However there is no public boat docking. There are also no restaurant or sanitary facilities located on the lake to the public. Occasionally ice cream trucks roll through for the little ones. If you're looking to kayak, paddle-board, relax and go tubing -- and you aren't a resident or local, I recommend finding street parking or walking over to the lake. Be careful, as some residents can be very picky about the parking situation The beach is open to the public from June 16-August 17. If you decide to park in the small beach lot, residents pay $5 and non-residents pay $10

It is a sunny day today. After breakfast, I took a nice walk with my family down to this beautiful…read morelake trail. This is a very local hidden gem. You will not be able to find it unless you get a local as the tour guide. The best way to go down to diesel lake, is to go down to the lake streets all the way to the end of the lake street. Then turn right go into the fourth Street. In the corner of Lake Street and fourth Street you will see the entrance of the lake. It's a good trail to just walk around the lake or do some jogging in the morning if you are in the neighborhood.

My husband and I had the pleasure of going on a canoe tour with Hillary and her daughter, Ariana…read more Though Hillary is in charge of the tour and business, her daughter was the one who gave more of the tour to my husband and I while Hillary went ahead with the other visitors. We took a beautiful afternoon tour along the Housatonic River our first day at the Berkshires for the week and what a great start it was. We got to learn and see how the beavers create their dams and mud piles, as well as see turtles that were hanging out on the tree limbs along our way. Hillary was also gracious enough to provide cold bottled waters and while apples to snack on, which was a nice pick me up! Though the tour was only supposed to be 2hrs it went a little over about 45min and we didn't feel rushed at all as the current was sort of strong and since my husband and I had shared a canoe, we had to coordinate quite a bit - especially going back to shore. Overall I would recommend this tour to my family and friends and really appreciate the kindness and bubbly attitude these two ladies had I share. Thank you!

Hilary was awesome and knows the river like the back of her hand. We asked for 4 personal kyacks…read more She also has multi-kyaks and canoes. Gave us waterproof packs for our phones and valuables, cold water bottles, and apples (which are great snack on the river). You can tailor the tour for the length you prefer, and Hilary gives you basics and tips for rowing. This is a long historic slow flowing river and perfect for our first kyack tour. Lots of interesting habitats, flowering plant life, and animals (fish, painted turtles basking, beavers on shore). Went in July and no mosquitos or blackflies. I would like to go back for the evening tour to observe the beaver families in action.