Summer on Cape Cod: 8 freshwater swimming spots to attempt with the children

Looking for a brand new go-to swimming spot to deliver the children to on Cape Cod this summer season?

Of course, the preferred possibility for a summer season swim is a dip within the ocean at one of many Cape’s numerous beaches. However, in the event you’re in search of a extra quiet seashore day with out crabs, jellyfish and even sharks, Cape Cod additionally has loads of freshwater swimming spots and seashores on the shores of lakes and ponds, lots of that are inside state parks with different leisure actions close by.

Here are eight freshwater swimming spots on Cape Cod to chill off at this summer season.

Mashpee-Wakeby Pond

Mashpee-Wakeby Pond Beach, often known as Attaquin Park Beach, is a freshwater seashore on a big pond with two basins: Mashpee Pond in Mashpee, and Wakeby Pond in Sandwich. Along with swimming, the ponds provide boating, fishing, a playground and a picnic space.

While the Sandwich facet is simply accessible with a resident sticker, Mashpee’s Attaquin Park could be accessed with a resident go or a weekly customer go for $50. The Sandwich facet is situated off of South Sandwich Road, whereas the Mashpee Pond facet is situated north of Route 130, after the intersection with Great Neck Road.

Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake, which has a slim strip of seashore good for households with smaller youngsters, is situated in Orleans. The seashore is smaller than Orleans’ different freshwater swimming spot at Pilgrim Lake, however as its identify implies, Crystal Lake presents 38 acres of crystal-clear water for swimming. Activities equivalent to fishing, small boating and picnicking might also be loved on the lake.

Residents can park totally free, and non-residents can purchase passes, although beware the car parking zone could be very small. The seashore is situated off Monument Road in Orleans.

Nickerson State Park

Brewster’s Nickerson State Park has eight crystal clear ponds for swimming, together with Flax Pond, Higgins Pond and Cliff Pond, the deepest pond on the Cape. The 1,900-acre park additionally presents fishing, biking, mountain climbing, boating and tenting at over 400 campsites.

Daily parking prices $8 for Massachusetts residents or $30 for non-residents. Nickerson State Park is open from dawn to sundown at 3488 Main St. in Brewster.

Sandy Pond Recreation Area

Over in Yarmouth, youngsters can swim on the shores of Sandy Pond, which additionally has a recreation space with a playground, tennis courts, softball and soccer fields, restrooms, a picnic space and numerous leisure fields.

Yarmouth residents with a seashore sticker can entry the freshwater seashore, whereas non-residents might want to pay a daily fee of $25. Sandy Pond Recreation Area is open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 482 Buck Island Road in West Yarmouth.

Great Pond

Great Pond, one in every of Wellfleet’s kettle ponds, presents a small swimming seashore surrounded by lush greenery. Wellfleet beach passes are required to park between 9 a.m. to five p.m., with customer passes costing $75 for 3 days, $110 for one week or $210 for 2 weeks. Great Pond Beach is situated off Cahoon Hollow Road in Wellfleet.

Scargo Lake

Dennis’ Scargo Lake has two beachfronts nice for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding – Scargo Beach, which has a roped off space for swimming, and Princess Beach, a bigger beachfront with a playground, a picnic space and restrooms.

Visitors have to personal a city seashore sticker or pay a every day price of $35 to entry both seashore on Scargo Lake. Both seashores are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Scargo Beach is situated on Dr. Lord’s Road S, and Princess Beach is situated at 194 Scargo Hill Road.

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Seymour Pond

Located proper close to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, Seymour Pond presents a preferred freshwater seashore for bikers to chill off at. Along with swimming, the pond is understood for fishing, kayaking and sailboating, full with a ship launch.

Parking at Seymour is proscribed, costing $20 for someday or $150 for a full season for guests. The seashore at Seymour Pond is situated off Pleasant Lake Avenue in Harwich, simply south of the city line with Brewster.

Wiley Park

Wiley Park presents a big freshwater seashore on Great Pond, full with lifeguards, concessions, bogs and showers, a playground, a picnic space, strolling trails and platforms to leap off of into the water.

Daily passes, which could be bought on the entrance to Wiley Park, value $30. Wiley Park is situated at 1400 Herring Brook Road in Eastham.