Favorite Local Swim Spots

Last week’s high temperatures and humidity made it evident that summer has indeed arrived. Heat tolerance is not among my strengths, so in times like these, I try to remember that it often feels cooler by the water. A walk on the beach at the end of the day can be a lovely way to escape the heat!

 

But sometimes there are better options than a stroll by the sea. Extreme heat can zap energy as the body works harder to maintain equilibrium. A cool shower, adequate hydration, and resting in a shady spot with a fan are excellent ways to lower core temperature, as is immersion in water.

 

I read recently, in a Harvard Medical School publication, about a reliable US Army hack for combatting heat. Submerging your hands, forearms and elbows in ice water for five minutes will help move cooled blood back to your core. If you have more time and space, you might also take a cool bath ... or venture out for a swim.

 

But where? Not everyone enjoys the beach, or has access to a swimming pool. Ponds, lakes and rivers can also be excellent places to cool off. We’re fortunate in Massachusetts that the state routinely checks water quality at public swim spots and posts the results online. Save this link and use it when you’re planning a swim. The list below features public swim spots in our watershed and on the South Shore.

 

Note: If you’re planning to swim in salt water, be aware that this summer is shaping up to be above-average for jellyfish sightings. Lifeguards and harbormaster’s offices can provide up-to-date information on local jellyfish activity.

Maquan Pond

Maquan Pond in Hanson is a great place to go during swim season! Weather-permitting, and as long as there is adequate staff, the beach at Cranberry Cove is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm, until Labor Day. Daily and seasonal passes are available for Hanson residents as well as non-residents. Maquan Pond is a headwater to the Indian Head and North Rivers. Ample on-site parking on Camp Kiwanee Road.

Couch Beach

If you don’t mind a 0.4-mile walk, Couch Beach on the North River in Marshfield is a lovely spot for a swim at any tide, as long as you’re mindful of the current, which can be quite swift! Look for the trailhead on the right, about 2/3 of the way into Couch Cemetery (629 Union Street). Park on the asphalt, and follow the trail that begins behind the wide metal gate. It leads to a pine forest overlooking the river and its marshes as well as a small sandy beach.

Oldham Pond

Pembroke’s town landing at Oldham Pond features a seasonal swim beach with lifeguards, for both residents and non-residents. The 189-acre pond is a headwater to Herring Brook, a major tributary to the North River. On-site parking at 183 Wampatuck Street.

Rexhame Beach

Open to the public, Rexhame Beach in Marshfield offers access to both the ocean and the South River, with sandy beaches on both sides. Look for the path through the dunes, by the basketball court, to find your way to the river. There is a large parking lot at the end of Standish Street. Town sticker or daily fee required.

Stetson Pond Beach

Located in Pembroke, at the edge of the Taunton River watershed, Stetson Pond is a small, natural pond in a serene spot, perfect for a summer swim. It is open to the public. Limited on-site parking at 350 Plymouth Street.

Plymouth’s Ponds

There are 365 ponds in Plymouth and several of them are open to the public seasonally for swimming. Fresh Pond, at 220 Bartlett Road in Manomet, and Hedges Pond, at 166 Hedges Pond Road in Cedarville, have lifeguards. In addition, there are two ponds at Morton Park (Morton Park Road). And don’t miss College Pond at Myles Standish State Forest (194 Cranberry Road, Carver). Hours and regulations vary. 

The Fore River

Weymouth, Braintree and Quincy each offer a public beach with access for swimmers to the Fore River. Check water quality first, then consider the following public spots: Mound Street Beach in Quincy, George Lane Beach in Weymouth, Wessagusset Beach in Weymouth, and Smith Beach in Braintree.

Ocean Beaches

Many town beaches require a resident sticker to park in the summertime, but some welcome the public with paid (or in rare cases, free but limited) parking Check out: Bathing Beach (Hingham), Brant Rock Beach (Marshfield), Duxbury Beach Park, North Nantasket Beach (Hull), Nantasket Beach Reservation(Hull), Nelson Memorial Park (Plymouth), Peggotty Beach (Scituate), and Plymouth Long Beach.

 

If you enjoy the outdoors, be sure to check out NSRWA’s Explore South Shore program. Every morning, we highlight one of the region’s best public nature places on Facebook and Instagram. Every Tuesday, it’s a spot with water access. Not on social media? We’ve listed all the locations on our website as well!

 

See you on the rivers!

by Kezia Bacon

July 2026

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. You will also find thirty years of Kezia’s Nature columns there. 

Celebrate National Rivers Month!

June is National Rivers Month -- an annual celebration of the beauty and importance of rivers. In honor of this designation, which dates back to 2005, this month I’m highlighting a variety of ways to experience our local rivers. We have lots of them! The North and South Rivers watershed also includes the Indian Head, Drinkwater, and Herring Rivers. Nearby, there are the Gulf, Weir, and Fore Rivers, along with the Jones, Bluefish, Green Harbor, and two different Back Rivers. And plenty more! They are all worth celebrating.

 

Take a Walk by a River

There’s nothing like a trail with a river view! Consider Norwell’s Norris Reservation, on the North River, or take a stroll through the dunes at Rexhame Beach to enjoy the South River. Bare Cove(Hingham) and Great Esker (Weymouth) Parks both offer views of the Back River. Webb Memorial State Park in Weymouth has frontage on both the Back and Fore Rivers! One of my all-time favorites is the Indian Head River Loop, which extends from Ludden’s Ford Park in Pembroke, through the Tucker Preserve and Hanson’s Rocky Run, and along the Indian Head River Trails in Hanover.

 

Plan a Paddling Excursion 

NSRWA’s favorite local launch sites include the Francis Keville Footbridge (South River), the Marshfield Launch by the Union Street Bridge (North River), Driftway Conservation Park (Herring River), Pembroke Town Forest (North River) and the Hanover Public Launch (Indian Head). To learn how to safely plan and navigate a local river excursion, attend our upcoming Timing the Tidespresentations, or watch the video on Marshfield Community Media.

Charter NSRWA’s Pontoon Boat

Looking for an effortless and inspiring way to enjoy the North River? Consider NSRWA’s Pontoon Boat! Treat yourself and arrange a 2-hour tour for 6 people, with gorgeous landscapes, river views, and glimpses or natural wildlife habitat. Join us and make memories that will encourage you to return year after year. For a true celebration, be sure to pack snacks and beverages!

Learn About Our Local Rivers

In addition to our Timing the Tides presentations, NSRWA gives free public talks at local libraries, senior centers, and community hubs. Get to know the “Rich History of the North and South Rivers,” enjoy a “Photo Tour of the Rivers,” or challenge yourself with River Trivia. View our current schedule here.

osprey photo by Lisa A. Irwin

Observe Some Birds

In the summer, it’s quite common to see ospreys in flight along the North and South Rivers, and sometimes bald eagles as well. Snowy egrets and great blue herons are often spied in the marshes, and cormorants can be observed midstream. If you enjoy birding, bring your binoculars and visit a local river. Drive up and enjoy the view from Mary’s Garden and Rogers Shipyard in Marshfield, Driftway Conservation Park in Scituate, along with Damon’s Point on the North River, or the Sea Street Bridge on the South.

 

Make Art by the River

Our rivers are also very picturesque! Pause to enjoy the view and let your creativity run wild! Any of the aforementioned spots are likely to foster inspiration. Or check out Marshfield’s Red Gold Farm (Green Harbor River), Kingston’s Mulliken’s Landing (Jones River), Scituate’s Mordecai Lincoln Homestead(Gulf River), Braintree’s Monatiquot River Walkway, and many more.

Plan Your Own Clean-Up

Another way to celebrate National Rivers Month is to help keep our local rivers clean. Plan your own clean-up event or simply bring a trash bag to a local park or boat launch and collect everything that doesn’t belong there. Empty beverage cans, tangles of fishing line, plastic bags and bottles, errant flip-flops ... Keeping this stuff out of the water can really make a difference. Want to make it a group effort? We’ve created this handy guide.

Try Yoga at the River’s Edge

Way back in 1997, I established this annual outdoor yoga program because I hoped to combine my love of rivers with my love of yoga. Thirty seasons later, we continue to gather every summer along the North, South and Herring Rivers to stretch, breathe and relax together. Ready to give it a try? Check out the schedule. We’ve sweetened the deal this year by offering a free class to everyone who makes an NSRWA membership donation between January 1, 2026 and the end of our yoga season.

Challenge Yourself to the Great River Race

Another longstanding NSRWA tradition is the Great River Race, an 8.5-mile journey on the North River through Norwell, Marshfield, Pembroke and Hanover. All non-motorized craft are encouraged to register. Paddle with the incoming tide while enjoying lively community and spectacular scenery, with a picnic and awards ceremony immediately after. It’s happening Sunday, August 9th.

 

If you enjoy the outdoors, be sure to check out NSRWA’s Explore South Shore program. Every morning, we highlight one of the region’s best public nature places on Facebook and Instagram. Walking trails, boat launches, picnic tables, and even playgrounds. Not on social media? We’ve listed all the locations on our website as well!

 

See you on the rivers!

by Kezia Bacon

June 2026

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. You will also find thirty years of Kezia’s Nature columns there.