Massachusetts' Deepest Inland Lake Is A Crystal-Clear Fishing Paradise 2 Hours From Boston

Imagine a pristine lake with 181 miles of shoreline and more than 100 islands, yet not a single house in sight. Now imagine that lake is under two hours' drive from Boston and an hour from Worcester, Massachusetts' second-largest city. Dreamy, right?

But the 39-square-mile, crystal-clear Quabbin Reservoir is no mirage — it's the deepest lake in the state of Massachusetts, and it provides drinking water to about 3 million residents. To keep the water clean, development and recreation are strictly limited. No construction is allowed within 400 feet of the shoreline, meaning natural views are uninterrupted by waterfront mansions, and other activities nearby are heavily regulated. The result is a fishing paradise, where you can catch both cold-water species like trout and salmon and warm-water species like bass, pickerel, perch, and bullhead. And the fish can get pretty big — the record catch is a lake trout weighing more than 25 pounds!

This surprising wilderness in the middle of the 16th most populous state in the U.S. was created nearly a century ago, when government officials realized that Boston would run out of water without action. Four towns in the area then known as Swift River Valley were displaced, with residents forced to sell their homes and move away. In a massive construction project, the footprints of those towns were flooded, creating one of the largest man-made water supplies in the United States. 

Restrictions are not limited to construction. While plenty of fish frolic in the Quabbin, people are not allowed to swim in the reservoir. Camping, grills, and fires of any kind are also strictly prohibited. You can launch your own motorized boat, provided it holds a Quabbin Boat Seal indicating it has gone through a state-approved decontamination process to protect the reservoir from aquatic invasive species. While you can't bring your own kayaks and other non-motorized boats, they are available to rent.

The reservoir is surrounded by a network of 14 miles of hiking trails, including a 1.7-mile loop trail through oak and hemlock forests with a bridge that crosses the Swift River, and the 2.8-mile out-and-back Tower Trail, featuring stunning views of the reservoir. Hikers on two legs are welcome, but four-legged friends are not. Rules for protecting the watershed require leaving dogs at home. So you won't see dogs, but this unique paradise does host a lot of wildlife, including moose, black bear, fox, coyotes, and many species of birds.

The park offers a variety of free public programs, including nature hikes, walks exploring the history of the towns displaced by the reservoir, and talks focused on the management of the watershed. For a deeper understanding of the history and care of the reservoir, stop by the Les and Terry Campbell Quabbin Visitor Center.

The visitor center is about 20 minutes from the Mass Pike (Interstate 90). Parking is also free, which is great, because traveling by car is really the only way to visit this strip of heaven. While you won't be surprised to learn there is no place to stay at the reservoir, a half-hour drive west will let you lie your head in the Pioneer Valley, one of the United States' most underrated vacation spots. Alternatively, head southeast to the historic town of Sturbridge, where you can stay the night in one of the oldest hotels in America.