This 3-Mile Hike In Massachusetts Leads To The Dreamiest Swimming Hole

Raise your hand if this sounds familiar: you find out about a spectacular drive-up swimming spot near you, only to show up and find that everyone else and their cousin had the same idea. If a swimming hole has a parking lot, chances are it's not going to be easy to find somewhere to park your beach chair. But there is a great Massachusetts hike to a swimming hole in Brewster you can try and it won't be overrun with people.

This gorgeous little pond in Nickerson State Park is the perfect solution. You reach it via a beautiful three-mile hike through preserved woodland, which is just enough effort to deter most casual day-trippers and tourists. What you'll find instead is a stunning natural gem that's perfect for a summer day.

Cliff Pond is a gorgeous spot for swimming, sailing, and just generally enjoying blue skies and sunshine.

It’s a 204-acre kettle pond surrounded by shady woodlands and sandy shores. Cliff Pond is the largest pond in Nickerson State Park, so there’s plenty of room to spread out. It's one of the best swimming holes in Massachusetts.

The hike to the pond is easy and great for kids and pets. It’s about a 2.8-mile loop trail that gains relatively little elevation and will take you past meadows, wildflowers, and sandy shores.

This is certainly one of the most scenic hikes in Massachusetts as well as one of the easiest to navigate. The path is well-marked and shouldn’t give you more trouble than negotiating a few tight spots between bushes and trekking across a bit of sand.

One unique draw of Cliff Pond is its pristine sandy beach. Rather than pebbly, stick-strewn pond shores that are more like mudbanks than beaches, the edge of Cliff Pond is padded with powdery white sand that is perfect for sandcastle-building, strolling, or spreading out on a blanket and watching the clouds roll by.

The waters here have an almost tropical feel to them. On a clear and sunny day, the waves take on a greenish blue cast that looks practically Caribbean.

Definitely bring your bathing suits, as you’ll want to dive in as soon as you see the water.

What are you waiting for? Take one of the most scenic hikes in Massachusetts to reach this dreamy destination that deserves a spot on your summer bucket list!

Take a Massachusetts hike to a swimming hole, Cliff Pond, at Nickerson State Park. You can find Nickerson State Park at:

Address: 3488 Main St, Brewster, MA 02631

Click here to see it on a map and get directions. For more information on Nickerson State Park and all you can see and do at this 1,900-acre park including Cliff Pond, visit the webpage.

For more of the best swimming holes in the state, check out this list of our 13 favorites.