Circle Cleveland Pond by Paddle
South Shore / Abington, Massachusetts
Activity
Kayaking & Paddling / Pond
Difficulty
Easy / shallow flatwater paddle
Distance
2.5 mi round trip
Duration
~1–2 hrs
Route
Loop paddle
The adventure
Launch a human-powered boat onto 97-acre Cleveland Pond and explore its undeveloped shoreline from the water.
Put your kayak, canoe or SUP into Cleveland Pond at the dam-side cartop launch and leave the straight line behind.
Shallow impoundment of Beaver Brook with completely wooded shoreline
What you'll do
Start at Cleveland Pond cartop launch by the dam, then follow the route about 2.5 miles round trip.
Expect freshwater pond.
What you're looking at
- Cleveland Pond is a 97-acre impoundment of Beaver Brook.
- Despite its suburban location, the entire pond is enclosed by state-park land rather than developed waterfront.
Once you're there
Enter Ames Nowell State Park from Linwood Street and follow park access toward Cleveland Pond. Launch into the pond, keep a shoreline-oriented loop around the main basin and islands, then return to the same dam-side launch. Expect more vegetation in the western shallows later in summer.
Don't miss
Instead of cutting straight across open water, weave your route around the pond's small islands and coves. Cleveland Pond rewards curiosity more than speed.
Good to know
- Access
- No permit or reservation requirement identified for ordinary personal nonmotorized paddling.
- Best time to go
- Aquatic vegetation becomes extensive as summer progresses, especially in western portions. Winter ice and cold water can make paddling unsuitable.
- Hours
- Sunrise to sunset
- Launch
- Gravel cartop launch next to dam; carry may be required if access road is gated.
- Restrooms
- Restrooms available in Ames Nowell State Park.
- Hazards
- Cold water, summer aquatic vegetation, shallow obstructions, changing wind/weather
- Fish habitat
- The pond supports warmwater fish and has historically produced largemouth bass.
- Dogs
- Dogs are allowed in Ames Nowell State Park; follow current leash rules.
- WOODED SHORE
- The entire shoreline lies within Ames Nowell State Park and is undeveloped, a surprisingly wild frame for a pond near dense South Shore communities.
- PADDLE POWER ONLY
- The gravel launch beside the dam is intended for cartop boats. Motorized craft are not allowed.
- SUMMER GETS GREEN
- Aquatic vegetation thickens as summer progresses, especially in the western portions of the pond. Earlier-season paddles usually offer cleaner water lanes.
- Surface
- Freshwater pond
- Managed by
- Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation — Ames Nowell State Park.
Please respect the place
- Nonmotorized craft only
- Use the cartop launch by the dam
- If the dam access road is gated, carry the boat from the main parking area
- Aquatic vegetation can become extensive later in summer
Photos
More adventures nearby
Houghton's Pond main parking lot and · Greater Boston, Massachusetts
Ride the Blue Hills Forest Path LoopMountain Biking · Intermediate / rolling woodland mountain bike loop · ~9 mi away
Wompatuck · South Shore, Massachusetts
Ride the Whitney SpurMountain Biking · Moderate / paved park ride · ~9 mi away
Pope John Paul II Park trail · Boston, Massachusetts
Ride the Lower Neponset River TrailMountain Biking · Easy / paved urban rail trail · ~12 mi away