Everyone should have access to places to cool off from the summer heat, but across New England, publicly accessible lakes and beaches can actually be hard to find.
Climate change is making New England’s summers hotter and heat waves longer. But finding a swimming hole to cool off isn’t easy for everyone. We asked Mardi Fuller about accessible and equitable access to swimming spots and about her top picks for beaches and lakes across the region. Mardi advocates for racial equity through writing, speaking, and community building. A lifelong backcountry adventurer, she lives in Boston, where she works as a nonprofit communications director. Follow Mardi on Instagram at @wherelocsflyfree.
I love nothing more than a refreshing dip – it’s one of the ways I feel most alive and connected to nature. Across New England, it can be difficult to find public access to the water, whether a freshwater pond or an oceanside beach. For example, in Massachusetts, the majority of the coastline is privately or municipally owned, with strict residents-only access. Only 12% of the coastline is publicly accessible.
Our nation’s public trust doctrine states that it shouldn’t be a struggle for anyone to achieve a swim or a stroll near the water. Summers are getting hotter and hotter, and everyone should have a right to cool off along the coast, from swimming and walking to lounging on the beach. The impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, erosion, and increasingly frequent and severe storms, also conspire to shrink the available coast. Additionally, data show that communities of color have the least access to beaches, as most coastal towns are wealthy and predominantly white, and coastlines in racially and economically diverse cities and towns are more likely to face historic and ongoing pollution.
To help you find a great place to cool off this summer, I’ve compiled a list of swimming spots across New England. Where possible, I selected accessibility, public transportation, and proximity to population centers. See you at the beach!
Maine
Range Pond in the Lewiston–Auburn region has a long and large sandy beachfront, plenty of parking, and it’s wheelchair accessible – including a ramp into the water! It also has a walking path and a playground.
Beautiful Willard Beach in South Portland has quaint neighborhood vibes. There’s a bus stop a few blocks away, and parking is available on adjacent streets.
Vermont
In addition to swimming, a visit to Oakledge Park on Lake Champlain in Burlington can include a round of bocce, paddleboarding, and playtime on the accessible playground, which includes the world’s first publicly accessible treehouse.
Salmon Hole swimming area in Jamaica State Park is located at a bend in the West River, where the water is slow-moving. It’s a great place for a weekend getaway, with campsites, great biking trails, and several hikes, including a trek to view the 125-foot Hamilton waterfall.
New Hampshire
Renowned for its crystal clear water, Newfound Lake falls under the radar compared to its bigger neighbors, Squam and Winnipesaukee. Wellington State Park sports a large beach, scenic views, kayak rentals, and hiking within and surrounding the park. It does fill up quickly on hot summer days, so it’s best to arrive early.
New Hampshire’s short coastline includes eight miles in the town of Rye. Most parking lots serve town residents only, but visitors may use street parking or access the beach via Wallis Sands or Jeness State Parks.
Massachusetts
Postcard-perfect Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea is a North Shore icon, a perfect C-curve bookended by rocky outcroppings. Best of all, it’s just a half-mile walk from an MBTA commuter rail stop, about an hour-long ride from Boston.
Historic Walden Pond in Concord, a 10-foot-deep kettle pond formed by a glacier, was the home of Thoreau’s famous cabin. He was preceded by settlements of formerly enslaved Black communities who created homesteads there. Two small beaches provide easy access. Wander the two-mile path around the lake to find less crowded spots and relative privacy. High water levels this year mean smaller beach areas at Walden. Check the Commonwealth’s recreation website for updates, and visit outside of peak hours if possible.
Rhode Island
Aptly nicknamed the Ocean State, Rhode Island boasts 400 miles of coastline even though it is only 37 miles wide by 48 miles long. Beaches abound, with more than 400 public access points. Rhode Island provides public transportation to many beaches.
Lincoln Woods State Park is a mecca of outdoor opportunities. In addition to the centerpiece, the 128-acre Olney Pond, visitors can hike, rent kayaks, fish, picnic, or go bouldering or horseback riding on a network of trails. Just 10 minutes from Providence, it’s accessible by bus line #51.
Narragansett Town Beach is a beautiful mile-long stretch of sand with a great surf break and plenty of amenities. It’s accessible by bus line #14 from Providence and also has four parking lots. For those up for an adventure, one of my favorite activities is renting a kayak and paddling the Narrow River to the back side of the beach. Pull up on the sand (don’t round the corner into the open surf) and walk across the far less crowded north side of the beach to the ocean. The beach has seven ADA surf chairs available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Connecticut
Gardner Lake State Park is just 35 minutes from Hartford and 25 minutes from New London. It offers free admission and swimming, boating, and fishing on a large lake with a beachfront that returned to the public in 2001 after having been a private resort for 60 years.
Hammonassett Beach State Park features two miles of sandy coastline, miles of biking trails, camping, and more, 30 minutes east of New Haven. Accessibility features include beach wheelchairs and a boardwalk.
What are your favorite places to swim in New England? Add them to the comments of Mardi’s Instagram post below.
