Details of Quabbin Reservoir
Overview of Quabbin Reservoir
Hours for Quabbin Reservoir
General Hours of Operation
General restrictions allow visitors through designated gates and areas one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset. However, this does not apply to vehicle access.
Vehicle Access
Vehicles must exit the park at the posted time. The time is posted at mid and east entrances, at the Quabbin Tower, Enfield Lookout, Hanks Meadow, and Goodnough. This time changes throughout the year. As of November 2, 2020, hours are 6:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Quabbin Visitor Center
The Quabbin Visitor Center is CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19.
Parking at Quabbin Reservoir
Parking in Quabbin Park and at gates around the Quabbin Reservoir is free.
There is limited parking available at the main entrance to Quabbin Park. To avoid overcrowding, consider entering Quabbin Park through the Middle or Eastern entrances and parking at Goodnough Dike, Hank's Meadow, or Quabbin Tower. Click here for the DCR Quabbin Park Access Map.
A reminder to not bring your dog to Quabbin Reservoir, which is the source drinking water supply for 3 million people. Dogs are not allowed in Quabbin Park or on any other part of DCR's Quabbin Reservoir lands; dogs are also not allowed in parked cars. Click here for more information about where dogs are allowed on DCR properties.
Help DCR limit crowds and slow the spread of COVID-19 by respecting staff and parking signs in Quabbin Park, around the Reservoir, and on local roads.
Fishing Update
The 2020 Quabbin Fishing Season is now closed. The 2021 Quabbin Fishing Season is tentatively scheduled to open on Saturday April 17, 2021.
Hunting Update
The 2020 Hunting Season is now closed. Please click here for information about hunting in the Quabbin Reservoir watershed.
Activities at Quabbin Reservoir

Scenic Views

Fishing

Educational programs
All Activities at Quabbin Reservoir
- Running and walking
- Fishing
- Boating (motorized)
- Boating (non-motorized)
- Biking
- Cross-country skiing
- Hunting
- Snowshoeing
Facilities at Quabbin Reservoir
- Visitor Center - CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Education programs
- Picnic areas - CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Restrooms - CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Observation tower - CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Boat rentals - CLOSED until further notice to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
The shoreline fishing season at Quabbin Reservoir is now open. Please practice social distancing and avoid crowds.
Restrictions at Quabbin Reservoir
All activities have restrictions to protect the water supply. State regulations prohibit anything that could pollute the water.
- No dogs
- No swimming
- No grills/stoves/fires of any kind
- No alcoholic beverages
- No camping
- No drones
- No horses
- Entry and exit through designated gates or areas only
- Hunting is limited to the annual Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt
- Cross-country skiing and biking only in designated routes
- Groups of 25 people or more require a permit.
Boating
- Boats used only for fishing; there must be fishing tackle in the boat
- Boats can only be launched from designated boat launch areas
- All private motorized boats must have a Quabbin Boat Seal
- Boat and motor rentals are currently not available to prevent the spread of COVID-19
- No private non-motorized boats; rentals are available from DCR at Boat Launch Areas 2 and 3 - All canoe and kayak rentals are are currently not available to prevent the spread of COVID-19
More info for Quabbin Reservoir
Learn about the Quabbin Park Cemetery
Learn about fishing and boating on Quabbin Reservoir
Quabbin Brochures
- Quabbin Park Brochure
- Quabbin Park Visitor Center Loop Trail Brochure
- Quabbin Park Middle Gate to Observation Tower Trail Brochure
- Quabbin Reservoir Dog Brochure
- Quabbin Reservoir Bicycle Brochure
Interactive 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.
Please see the Instructions for Using the Quabbin Reservoir Public Access Road and Trail Interactive Map for information about the mobile app.
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
- Women of the Valley
- Rabbit Run Railroad
- Quabbin Park Cemetery
- Bald Eagles
- Three Views of Enfield
Additional Resources
- Quabbin Reservoir Watershed System Public Access Summary
- DCR Watershed Management programs
- Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA)
- History of the DCR/MWRA Water Supply (MWRA website)
- Quabbin Reservoir Historic Photograph Collection Digital Access Project (video presentation)
Water Quality and Quantity Information
- DCR Annual Water Quality Reports
- MWRA Monthly Water Quality Reports
- Reservoir Elevation and Water Quantity Demand
Any questions please call the Quabbin Visitors Center at (413) 323-7221