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Quabbin Reservoir

Address

100 Winsor Dam Rd., Belchertown , MA 01007
Directions 

Phone

(413) 323-7221

Online

QuabbinVisitor.Center@mass.gov
Download Quabbin Park brochure   Understanding the Quabbin Video  Find walking, biking, fishing, snowmobiling, and other types of access maps  Self-guided opportunities  Download Quabbin Reservoir fishing rules  Find Quabbin access permits  All DCR Water Supply Videos  See real time view of Quabbin Reservoir from MWRA's Quab-Cam 
Historic site
Get Directions to Information 

Details

Overview

Quabbin Reservoir is one of the largest unfiltered water supplies in the United States. Along with the Wachusett Reservoir and Ware River, it is the source of high quality water for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority water supply system. The 412 billion gallon reservoir covers 39 square miles with 181 miles of shoreline. Recreational activities are regulated and limited to protect 3 million people’s drinking water.

Hours

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 1, 2021, hours are 6:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Quabbin Visitor Center

Sunday - Monday:
8:30 am-4:30 pm

Thursday - Saturday:
8:30 am-4:30 pm

Parking

Parking in Quabbin Park and at gates around the Quabbin Reservoir is free. 

The Gate 30 parking area off Route 122 in New Salem, and all access to the Quabbin Reservation from this location, is closed as of July 10, 2021.  The road just inside Gate 30 crosses the Swift River over a keystone bridge; DCR engineers have determined that damage to both the bridge and road make them no longer safe for public use until repairs can be completed.  DCR recommends using Gate 29 on Route 202 to access this section of the Quabbin Reservation.

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.

Activities

A couple sitting on rock ledge take in the magnificent mountain range vista

Scenic Views

The New Salem and Enfield lookouts offer magnificent views of the reservoir.
Man fishing in calm waters as dawn begins to break

Fishing

You may fish by boat or along the shoreline. There are restrictions to protect the water supply. Boats are available to rent.
Ranger sharing his knowledge of the park to kids.

Educational programs

The Quabbin Visitors Center is open 4 days a week and offers many programs.

All Activities

  • Running and walking
  • Fishing
  • Boating (motorized)
  • Boating (non-motorized)
  • Biking
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Hunting
  • Snowshoeing

Facilities

  • Visitor Center - Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.  
    The Visitor Center will also be open on Thursdays beginning on September 16, 2021.
  • Education programs 
    Quabbin Visitor Center Fall 2021 Programs
  • Picnic areas
  • Restrooms
  • Observation tower - CLOSED due to renovations
  • Boat rentals - Boat rentals are available during the 2021 fishing season. 
    DCR encourages all customers to bring a Coast Guard approved wearable Personal Flotation Device (Type I, II, or III PFD or life preserver) for each member of their party.  DCR will have life jackets available for those who don’t bring their own.  Rental boats will be denied to anyone who doesn’t have the appropriate number of PFDs.

The shoreline fishing season at Quabbin Reservoir opens on April 17, 2021.  Please practice social distancing and avoid crowds.

Restrictions

All activities have restrictions to protect the water supply.  State regulations prohibit anything that could pollute the water.

Boating

More info

Learn about the Quabbin Park Cemetery

Learn about fishing and boating on Quabbin Reservoir

Quabbin Brochures

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.

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.

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.

Additional Resources

Water Quality and Quantity Information

Any questions please call the Quabbin Visitors Center at (413) 323-7221 or email to QuabbinVisitor.Center@mass.gov.

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