Swimming Holes Near Amherst & Northampton
This hub is built for quick summer stops around Amherst and Northampton — mostly ponds, reservoir edges, and short river walks, with a few waterfall stops mixed in when you want more than a swim beach.
Compare the map, then open each page for fees, algae notices, and where swimming is actually posted. For a wider Pioneer Valley waterfall-and-river mix, see Shelburne Falls & Pioneer Valley.
Rank 1: Puffers Pond — Amherst
Puffers Pond is an unofficial Amherst swim pond with North and South Beach access, no lifeguards, and seasonal town…
- Can you swim?
- Unofficial swim
- Walk
- 5 min
Rank 2: Mill River Dam — Northampton
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Mill River dam drop near Smith College in Northampton. Viewing from the greenway only — fast water and slick rock below the….
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 10 min
Rank 3: Mineral Hills Loop Trail — Northampton
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Northampton / Kestrel forest preserve off Turkey Hill Road. Hike and mountain-bike trails, quarry pools, brooks — no…
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 1h 15m
Rank 4: Knightville Dam — Huntington
Viewing only, not a swim stop
US Army Corps flood-control dam on the East Branch Westfield in Huntington. Trail and viewing access; swimming is not….
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 10 min
Rank 5: Chapel Falls (Chapel Brook Reservation) — Ashfield
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Short Trustees trail in Ashfield to a tiered hemlock-shaded cascade. Half-mile round trip; no swim.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 10 min
Rank 6: Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary Loop Trail — Easthampton
Mass Audubon sanctuary on the CT River Oxbow in Easthampton / Northampton. Trails, boardwalks, birding; no swimming.
- Walk
- 40 min
Rank 7: Holland Glen — Belchertown
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Kestrel Land Trust hemlock-glen preserve off Route 9 in Belchertown. Short steep trail to a seasonal Hop Brook waterfall.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 15 min
Rank 8: Lithia Spring Reservoir Trail — South Hadley
Viewing only, not a swim stop
South Hadley drinking-water reservoir on the Mt. Holyoke Range.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 10 min