Lakes around Northborough, Massachusetts, offer a variety of natural landscapes and recreational opportunities. The region features several notable bodies of water, including Lake Chauncy, Bartlett Pond, and the Northborough Reservoir. These areas provide settings for activities such as swimming, paddling, and fishing. The natural terrain includes wooded shores and conservation lands, contributing to the area's appeal.
Last updated: May 14, 2026
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Trail is ~8.5 miles, 19k steps, 3+ hours all the way around the reservoir. Well defined trail for the majority of the loop. The scenery is nice, water is clean, and it is not insanely crowded. It's full of wildlife. While hiking, heard a bunch of coyotes, inviting me for a feast.
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Upper Westboro Reservoir is part of the Westboro Reservoir & Conservation Land. The lake is a peaceful place, surrounded with grassy areas and woodlands, providing a nice place for picnicking, fishing or simply enjoying a nice bike ride through the trail system that goes around the water.
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The Sudbury Reservoir is about 5,000 acres in size and is the emergency backup water supply for Boston. It has numerous large brooks running into it, numerous islands, and is a very scenic, forested area worth visiting in its own right. The views out over the waters of both arms of Sudbury Reservoir from here are stunning. The tree-lined shores look spectacular in the fall. The road surface is also great, flat, and fast.
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Upper Westboro Reservoir is a water supply reservoir within the Westboro Resevoir & Conservation Land. The shallow banks of the lake and surrounding grassy areas and woodlands make this a peaceful location for fishing, picnicking, and offers great views from the bike.
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Whitehall Reservoir, a sprawling 620-acre great pond in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, awaits a quarter mile south of Route 135 and a mile west of Route 495. With an average depth of 6 feet, reaching a maximum of 30 feet, and water transparency ranging between 6 and 10 feet, this pristine reservoir offers a serene escape.
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Nice road directly next to the reservoir that gives you a great view of the water. It is an old paved road that is now disused and has been overgrown, so the surface varies. At the entrance from Temple Street there is a gate to stop car traffic from entering, but the road is actually open to cycling. It is safe to pass alongside the gate to access the road.
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Fun little old paved road with dirt and stuff. Easy to ride with 25mm + tyres. Nice views of Wachusett Reservoir.
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Great views of the Carville Basin from this spot. Be advised there is not a dedicated area where you can stop, you'll have to use the shoulder.
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For swimming and family fun, Lake Chauncy is an excellent choice. It features a public beach with lifeguards, picnic tables, a playground, and a snack shack, making it ideal for families. The water is regularly tested and treated for weeds to ensure a safe swimming environment.
Anglers have several good options. Lake Chauncy is popular for Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, and other species. Bartlett Pond also supports a diverse fish population including Largemouth Bass and Yellow Perch. Additionally, the Northborough Reservoir is known as a good spot for Black Bullhead, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass.
Yes, Bartlett Pond is a popular destination for paddlers. The town of Northborough provides a concrete ramp and parking area for boat access, making it convenient to launch kayaks or canoes.
The lakes around Northborough offer diverse natural beauty. Lake Chauncy features lightly wooded and largely undeveloped shores, bordering the Wayne F. MacCallum Wildlife Management Area. Bartlett Pond has woods and conservation land along its terrain with abundant aquatic vegetation. The Sudbury Reservoir is notable for its numerous brooks, islands, and extensive forested areas, offering particularly scenic views in the fall.
While specific accessible trails are not detailed for all lakes, Lake Chauncy offers extensive shore access via public walking trails within the wildlife management area. For general easy walks, consider the hiking routes around Northborough, which include options like the 'Chauncy Lake Loop' and 'Old Farm Trail Loop' rated as easy.
Beyond swimming and fishing, you can enjoy paddling at Bartlett Pond, picnicking at Upper Westboro Reservoir, or cycling along the old paved road next to Wachusett Reservoir South Bay. There are also various cycling and hiking routes available in the wider Northborough area.
The lakes offer beauty year-round, but for particularly stunning scenic views, especially of the foliage, autumn is highly recommended. The forested areas around the Sudbury Reservoir, for example, are described as spectacular in the fall.
Visitors appreciate the variety of recreational opportunities and the natural beauty. Highlights like the Upper Westboro Reservoir are praised for being peaceful locations with grassy areas and woodlands, perfect for picnicking and enjoying views. The Wachusett Reservoir South Bay is noted for its great views of the water, especially for cyclists.
Yes, you can find viewpoints that offer expansive perspectives. The View of Carville Basin provides a roadside perspective of the basin. Additionally, the Upper Westboro Reservoir offers great views from its surrounding trails.
Yes, the region has a focus on conservation. Lake Chauncy borders the Wayne F. MacCallum Wildlife Management Area, and its water is regularly tested and treated. Bartlett Pond includes conservation land along its terrain. For more detailed information on Northborough's open space and recreation plans, you can refer to documents available on the town's website, such as the Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources chapter or the Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Yes, for environmental preservation, personal watercraft such as jet skis are banned from Lake Chauncy. It's always advisable to check local regulations for specific lakes before planning to use any watercraft.


Still not found your perfect lake around Northborough? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.