Freshwater Swimming Near the North Shore & Eastern Massachusetts
This list is for summer days when you are already near the coast but want a freshwater break — calm lake beaches, a forest pond, and a few short waterfall walks in Essex County and nearby eastern Massachusetts towns.
Start with the map spacing, then open each page for posted swimming, fees, and algae notices. For Boston-area lake beaches with shorter drives from the city core, see Metro West swimming spots.
#1 Breakheart Reservation — Pearce Lake — Saugus
Swim: allowed. Breakheart Reservation - Pearce Lake is a public lake access point in Saugus with separate parking and…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 5 min
#2 Harold Parker State Forest — North Andover
Harold Parker State Forest is a state-park pond or lake access point in North Andover with separate parking and shoreline…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 5 min
#3 Ipswich River — Ipswich
Ipswich River is a freshwater river swim spot in Ipswich with separate parking and water pins.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 5 min
#4 Hawke's Brook Falls — Saugus
Hawke's Brook Falls is a waterfall stop in Saugus with separate arrival and falls pins.
- Swim
- Waterfall first
- Walk
- 10 min
#5 Merrimac Falls — Lawrence
Merrimac Falls is a waterfall stop in Lawrence with separate arrival and falls pins.
- Swim
- Waterfall first
- Walk
- 10 min
#6 Powwow River Falls — Amesbury
Powwow River Falls is a waterfall stop in Amesbury with separate arrival and falls pins.
- Swim
- Waterfall first
- Walk
- 10 min