Quabbin Reservoir Watershed Education Programs

The Quabbin Interpretive Services program operates the Quabbin Visitor Center, offering education programs, teacher workshops, and  general information about DCR's water supply resources. Three full time staff members are available to assist with visitor information and services. An automated telephone system - [phone] - provides 24 hour access to current information on fishing, hunting, programs, rules and regulations, and public access. You can also reach the Visitor Center by email at [e-mail].

Out of an abundance of caution due to the spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has announced the temporary closure of the Quabbin Visitor Center effective Saturday, March 14, 2020. Additionally, during the temporary closure all associated events at these locations are cancelled.

The Quabbin Visitor Center

Quabbin Administration Building and Visitor Center

Out of an abundance of caution due to the spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, the Quabbin Visitor Center is closed. During the temporary closure all associated events at this location are cancelled.

The Quabbin Visitor Center is located on the first floor of the DCR Quabbin Administration Building in Belchertown and is open seven days a week on a year-round basis except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and the weekend between Christmas and New Years. Regular Visitor Center hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays, 9:00 am to 5 pm  on weekends.

The Center features:

• Exhibits
• Brochures
• Books
• Videos about Quabbin management and history

Inside the Quabbin Visitor Center

Maps, books, trail guides and related materials are available for purchase through Visitor Center staff. Vital Records for the disincorporated towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott are available on microfiche for genealogical research; please call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Click here to read the Downstream Newsletter: The Quabbin Visitor Center.

Quabbin Visitor Center
485 Ware Road (Route 9)
Belchertown, MA 01007
[phone]
[e-mail]

Additional Resources

Quabbin Park Brochure

Quabbin Reservoir Dog Brochure

Quabbin Park Visitor Center Loop Trail Brochure

Quabbin Park Middle Gate to Observation Tower Trail Brochure

Quabbin Park Rain Garden Brochure

Quabbin School Programs

Education programs are offered for school groups at the Quabbin Visitor Center on a variety of topics from Quabbin history to the bald eagle restoration program. Programs are offered on a first come-first serve basis. Prior arrangements are required for group programs. These arrangements can be made by calling the Visitor Center - [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

Groups interested in just visiting the Visitor Center without a pre-arranged education program are encouraged to notify the Center prior to their visit. Please use the Group Access to Quabbin Park Request Form. You will not be charged for the permit, but the application should be submitted two weeks before the visit date.

Classroom programs and field trips are also offered to schools and groups in the watershed area and to communities which receive water from Quabbin. Topics range from water quality, water awareness, watersheds, natural history and Quabbin area history.

• Educational Information Overview  
• Quabbin Park Information for Schools  
• Dana Common Information for Schools  
• Gate 35 Information for Schools  

Additional Resources

Quabbin Park and Reservoir Programs for Schools and Community Groups

Teacher Workshops

The Quabbin Interpretive staff offers teacher workshops on:

• Water Quality Testing
• Watersheds
• Project WET
• Project WILD
• Project Learning Tree
• Quabbin History
• Other topics

Videos - Virtual Field Trips and Other Quabbin Events

Click here for additional videos about the DCR Watershed system.

Self-guided Tours, Interactive Trail Map, and Other Activities To Do On Your Own

Self-guided Trail Guides

Suggested Hikes for Quabbin Reservoir

Be a History Detective at Quabbin Reservoir! This is a DCR Tip-Trip Itinerary.  Discover three unique areas in the Quabbin Reservation that spotlight what life was like before four towns were removed to build the reservoir.  

Quabbin Park Visitor Center Loop Trail Brochure

Quabbin Park Middle Gate to Observation Tower Trail Brochure

A variety of non-staffed educational opportunities exist for groups visiting Quabbin including the Forest Stewardship Trail, eagle watching at Enfield Lookout, and 22 miles of walking routes with a descriptive guide (available for purchase at the Visitor Center). 

Interactive Trail Map

The Division of Water Supply Protection has developed an interactive map with detailed information about public access roads and trails around the Quabbin Reservoir.  There are two ways to access this map: one is an online program that is accessible from your desktop computer or mobile device’s web browser; the other is through an App you can download directly to your mobile device and use in the field.  The mobile device App is recommended for use in the field.

Click here to directly access the on-line Quabbin Reservoir Public Access Road and Trail Interactive Map. 

Please see the Instructions for Using the Quabbin Reservoir Public Access Road and Trail Interactive Map for information about the mobile app.

Other Activities

DCR staff is also available to consult with teachers planning Quabbin or water related programs in their school, or for those interested in a group visit to Quabbin. If you are interested, you can contact the Interpretive Services at [phone].

Kiosk Posters

Posters with information about various sites, facilities, and history are posted on kiosks around the Quabbin Reservoir watershed and in the Quabbin Visitors Center.

• Drinking Water System History
• Watershed Protection
• Reservoir Elevation
• Drought
• The Lost Valley
• Rabbit Run Railroad
• Women of the Valley
• Quabbin Park Cemetery
• Bald Eagles
• Three Views of Enfield

 

Quabbin Reservoir Historic Photograph Collection Digital Access Project

DCR's Archive program has made thousands of historic photos available that document the construction of the DCR/MWRA water supply system.  The following is a presentation on ​Quabbin Reservoir Historic Photograph Collection Digital Access Project.