This Scenic Lake In New England Boasts A Long, Unique Name And Tons Of Outdoor Fun

Can you pronounce Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg? Probably not. The 45-letter, 14-syllable word is difficult to spell, much less enunciate. So you can call it Lake Chaubunagungamaug, or even Webster Lake, instead. The name is not the only thing that makes this lake special. This spot in Massachusetts is also an outdoor playground that the whole family will enjoy.

This lake was formed during the last ice age when the glaciers receded. They left three ponds — North Pond, Middle Pond, and South Pond — that are connected by slender passageways. The Nipmuc people, an Algonquian-speaking tribe who lived in southeastern New England, were the first to live around this lake. They called it Chaubunagungamaug, or "fishing place at the boundary." When settlers arrived, it was, remarkably, lengthened to Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, or "fishing place at the boundaries, neutral meeting grounds." Eventually, after the town of Webster was founded in 1832, the name Webster Lake became commonly used. Webster Lake is now the largest lake in Massachusetts.

Webster Lake sits along the Connecticut border in southern Massachusetts. It also borders I-395, an interstate that extends from Waterford, Connecticut, to just south of Worcester, Massachusetts' second-largest city and a cultural foodie hotspot with world-class museums. Its small airport, Worcester Regional Airport (ORH), has nonstop service to Florida, New York City, and Philadelphia. Worcester is less than 30 miles from the underrated Massachusetts college town of Fitchburg, while Boston, the state capital and a snowy East Coast gem crowned the world's most beautiful winter city, is about an hour away.

Life on this beautiful lake is practically lived outside, either on the waters or in its many outdoor establishments. Lake Chaubunagungamaug, or Webster Lake, is a 1,278-acre lake with 17 miles of shoreline that are bordered by second homes, which, along with a public beach, make it a popular summer destination. Webster Lake's Memorial Beach is a sandy beach at the northwestern end of the lake, with a bath house, picnic tables, and a playground. There are also two boat ramps, since the lake is a popular fishing spot. You can expect to catch trout in the spring, and then bass and panfish in the summer. Kayaks are usually out on the water too, as there are many shallow coves and small islands — including Goat, Strip, and Well Islands — to explore while paddling across the lake.

In addition to houses, you will also find restaurants with water views along the edge of the lake. You can arrive by boat and dock it at Waterfront Mary's 22. The locally-owned restaurant and pub has an outdoor tiki bar and live music. It's a casual spot that serves appetizers, sandwiches, and pizzas.

Father south, you'll find Point Breeze, which originally opened as a private men's sailing club in 1881. Its restaurant now has fresh seafood and a panoramic lake view. Its lounge also hosts open mic nights, karaoke, and live music. At Samuel Slater's Restaurant, on the other side of the lake, you can watch dinner being prepared near the open kitchen inside, or sip a craft cocktail on the wraparound patio outside.

Samuel Slater's Restaurant is part of Indian Ranch, which is one of the oldest concert venues in the United States. Indian Ranch's summer amphitheater has been bringing well-known musicians to Webster Lake since 1946. Though the venue was originally known as the Nashville of the North, for being one of the most popular spots in New England to see country music stars, it has recently expanded to include all types of music. Its 2026 Summer Concert Series starts in the beginning of June. 

Indian Ranch also offers scenic boat tours of Webster Lake on The Indian Princess, a replica of the 19th-century paddlewheel riverboats that traveled up and down the Mississippi River. Since 2013, the riverboat has docked at Indian Ranch. The two-story vessel has an enclosed dining room below and an open-air upper deck. Public cruises start at the end of June. The boat can be booked for private events, too.

At this point, since you're having so much fun, it would be hard to leave Webster Lake. Luckily, Indian Ranch has a campground. The seasonal campground is open from May 1 to October 15 with daily to seasonal rentals. Though it doesn't allow tents, you can set up everything from pop-up campers to motor homes. A fifth-wheel camper glamping option is also available. Just be sure to learn how to say Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, or at least Lake Chaubunagungamaug, before you arrive. Your time on the lake will be as unique as its long name.