Best of Western Mass: Swimming Spots Where You Can Cool Off

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Puffer's Pond is a perennial favorite for UMass Amherst students in need of some aquatic recreation

In the summer and early fall, temperatures can be quite high in the Amherst area. Fortunately, there are a few great places to cool off if you like lakes, ponds, and waterfalls. Most of these places are about a 20-30 minute drive from campus, with the exception of Amherst’s beloved Puffer’s Pond. 

Lake Wyola 

Take a 25 minute drive from Amherst to Shutesbury, MA, and you’ll find Lake Wyola State Park. The lake is great for swimming, as the water is clear and quiet. There is also a designated swimming lane for those looking to get in some aquatic exercise. When I visited it was a beautiful day and the water in late June was a perfect temperature for swimming. There are lifeguards on duty, and they conduct daily water safety checks to ensure that it is always safe for swimmers. The beach itself is also a fairly good size, and has plenty of room to spread out if you are looking to soak up the sun on a clear day. 

Chapel Brook Falls

During my exploration for spots to swim in the area, I discovered Chapel Brook Falls in Ashfield, MA — which turned out to be my favorite destination. The waterfall is nestled at the bottom of Pony Mountain, and makes for a perfect post-hike swim. When I first arrived I decided to hike to the summit, which only took about 15 minutes, and then later I cooled off in Chapel Brook. The water flows over three different bedrock ledges and was quite powerful at the time, so be sure to exercise caution if you visit. Again, the water was not too cold but it certainly was a beautiful piece of nature. You can rarely find such an extensive waterfall in Western Massachusetts so I highly suggest making the 35-minute drive. 

P.S. If you are a rock climber there are 100-foot rock faces equipped with bolts! 

Puffer’s Pond

Located in North Amherst, this pond is quite popular amongst Amherst residents, as it is the only open body of water in town. On a hot day, you will find plenty of people floating around, swimming, and enjoying the beach. When I visited Puffer’s Pond there were several people in floats enjoying the day and a few people were fishing. 

I happened to spot a fairly large turtle swimming through the water, so if you visit be sure to look out for our aquatic friends! 

Arcadia Lake 

Located in Belchertown just off Route 9 is Arcadia Lake, which is a great spot to cool off and hangout on the beach. You do have to pay an entry fee of $8 (cash only) if you are not a resident, but that allows you access to the charcoal grills, picnic tables, restrooms, changing stalls, and outdoor showers. Another perk is that you can rent pedal boats for a small fee to take around the lake and enjoy a beautiful day. 

Musante Beach

This beach is a great place to escape the hot summer and fall days. It is located just outside of Northampton, in Leeds, and is $7 for an entry pass. Swimmers are able to relax on the sandy beach and enjoy the refreshing water. As with any body of water, the water is tested weekly to ensure safe swimming conditions, so check their website before making the trek to Leeds. 

While it’s still hot out be sure to check these spots out! Having local lakes, ponds, and waterfalls is a gift we are lucky to have! But if you are feeling up for an even bigger adventure, you can head up to the Berkshires and enjoy the famous Otis Reservoir which spans 1,200 acres. The drive is an hour and 12 minutes from campus, so make a day of it and let us know if you do make the journey.