There are a couple of weeks left of summer and folks are still swimming in pools, rivers, the ocean, and lakes to keep cool but did you know that swimming is off-limits at the biggest lake in Massachusetts?

WUPE logo
Get our free mobile app

The Quabbin Reservoir which flows through the cities of Petersham, New Salem, Belchertown, Hardwick, Ware, Shutesbury, and Pelham has a surface area of 38.6 square miles and 412 billion gallons of water and is a beautiful body of water you may want to experience this summer.

No Swimming is Allowed at the Biggest Lake in Massachusetts

Quabbin Reservoir has been recognized by many as one of the best places for boating in Massachusetts. According to mass.gov, you can also partake in activities such as fishing running, walking, biking, cross-country skiing, hunting, and snowshoeing. However, swimming is off-limits to protect the water supply. Also, if you plan on visiting Quabbin Reservoir you'll need to leave your dog at home as dogs are not allowed on the premises.

Other restrictions at the Quabbin Reservoir Include the Following:

  • 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

Boating is allowed but only for fishing purposes

It's Worth a Visit to Quabbin Reservoir. Take a Virtual Tour Below

While there are some restrictions there are many fun things you can do at the Quabbin Reservoir and it's worth a visit this summer. Learn more about the Quabbin Reservoir here and check out a video tour below courtesy of MassDCR.

LOOK: 25 must-visit hidden gems from across the US

From secret gardens to underground caves, Stacker compiled a list of 25 must-visit hidden gems from across the United States using travel guides, news articles, and company websites.

Gallery Credit: Abby Monteil

LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

Gallery Credit: Keri Wiginton

READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest

Stacker used data from the 2020 County Health Rankings to rank every state's average life expectancy from lowest to highest. The 2020 County Health Rankings values were calculated using mortality counts from the 2016-2018 National Center for Health Statistics. The U.S. Census 2019 American Community Survey and America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2019 data were also used to provide demographics on the senior population of each state and the state's rank on senior health care, respectively.

Read on to learn the average life expectancy in each state.

Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang

More From WUPE