Okay everybody, it’s Memorial Day weekend and so let’s go to Quabbin Reservoir!

Eh?

I can sense a mental block from you. What happened to Boston, or Newport, R.I. or Cape Cod, or Kennebunkport, or even Lake Winnipesaukee, or even Mystic?

Why a reservoir, and why Quabbin?

Well, this is my back-to-nature season as New England shakes off its winter impoundment. Spring brings warmer days, and both wildlife and the landscape wake up from their hibernation as well.

There’s no better place in Southern New England to experience this dawn of summer than at Quabbin Reservoir in Western Massachusetts. And as you’ll discover, it’s mostly hidden and off the map of most people.

Everything about Quabbin is impressive. It has an impressive shoreline of 118 miles (181 miles if you include the many islands dotted around the 3,200-acre park). The reservoir is the main drinking water supply for Boston, and it’s said when it rains an inch then Quabbin Reservoir gains 1.6 billion gallons of water.

The reservoir was created by the construction of Windsor Dam, which started in 1936. The dam flooded the Swift River Valley and required the relocation of the peoples of four towns in the valley. These towns were Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott. Remnants of some sections of the town can still be seen, and from the air, submerged roads convey an eerie sight.

The flooding of the valley at the time was controversial, being decided because Boston was growing so fast it needed a new water supply. But the Quabbin Reservoir now provides a wonderful habitat for wildlife of all types. An absolute paradise for bird watchers, as its one of the few places in New England where you can spot a Bald Eagle, reintroduced to the area in 1980s.

So what can you do at Quabbin: Shoreline Fishing (permits required), hiking, bicycling, walking trails, bird watching, scenic views, and picnicking (carry-in and carry-out).

The best place to start is the visitor centre.

FROM BOSTON: Take the Mass. Turnpike to Exit 8 (Palmer). At the end of the Exit Ramp turn left onto Route 32 North and proceed for 8 miles. In Ware turn left at the green sign “Route 9 West” (just past McDonalds). Go 2/10ths of a mile to a stop sign. Turn left onto Route 9 and proceed west for 7 miles. Turn right at the green sign marked “Quabbin Reservoir - Windsor Dam” (Note: This will be the second green sign on your right. The first sign, located at the 5.3 mile mark, provides access to the main Quabbin Park area, including the Enfield Lookout and Quabbin Observation Tower). Turn right at this entrance and proceed 1/2 mile to DCR Quabbin Administration Building, the large brick building on the right.

One of the best and less traveled nature trail walks is at Gate 45 in Hardwick. If you pick up a map at the visitor center this will be clearly marked on it. The walk is about 2.5-3 hours and 5 miles in length, and is an out-and-back trail.

The wildlife in this area is abundant and diverse. The trail will lead you to the reservoir, and you should allow time for exploring the shoreline. Look at for the Blue Herons and Loons, which have both taken up residence in the area.

Be sure to take your camera and binoculars, and enjoy what has become one of the best man-made wildlife habitats in the whole of New England. And the best thing is it remains mostly undiscovered, and so you’ll avoid the crowds and the carnival atmosphere associated with so many places during Memorial weekend.

For more ideas and suggestions in the area, check out my Massachusetts destinations page by clicking here.

Have a great holiday weekend, and I’ll talk to you again next week,

Cliff Calderwood
New England Vacations Guide