Generated illustration of a natural swimming setting; not a photograph of this location
BrookMA

Margaret Lindley Park

By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated

Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.

Plan Margaret Lindley Park in Williamstown with Memorial Day-Labor Day pond swimming, weekly water testing, seasonal dog restrictions, picnic areas and woodland trails.

Water type
Brook
Access
Designated area only
Fee
A current admission charge is not published on the reviewed town park pages. Confirm any group-use or reservation requirements with the town.
Best season
For swimming, choose a date within Memorial Day-Labor Day and check current test notices. For a trail or picnic visit, follow dawn-to-dusk guidance and local restrictions
Nearby towns
Williamstown, North Adams
Water body
Hemlock Brook

Location

Map & Directions

MA
Nearby towns
Williamstown, North Adams
Access location not verified
42.68676, -73.23345
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.

Sources & checks

This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.

Swimming rules
Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
Access location not verified
The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
Record updated
· This is a data update, not a field visit.

Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.

A seasonal swimming pond with a year-round woodland walk

Margaret Lindley Park is operated by Williamstown's Conservation Commission and the town. Its park page identifies a pond with an artificial beach fed by Hemlock Brook. Swimming runs Memorial Day through Labor Day, dawn to dusk. October is outside the published swim season; year-round hiking is a separate activity.

Check water testing, not just old closure headlines

The town tests water weekly and publishes notices on the park page and official social channels. A June 29, 2026 reopening follows the June 24 bacteria closure. Neither notice proves conditions on a later visit. A summer Park Ranger works Tuesday through Saturday, but the page does not confirm lifeguard coverage.

Dog restrictions include the trails

During swim season, dogs are prohibited throughout the park, not just at the beach. The specific park page welcomes them from Labor Day through Memorial Day. Follow current signs and town requirements, and keep out of the roped-off recovering grass mentioned in the tree-removal notice.

Pair the pond with a picnic or woodland route

The town lists a picnic lawn, tables and grills, plus woodland trails alongside Hemlock Brook toward Harmon Pond. Use the linked trail map for your route. Those hiking destinations are not established swimming areas. Confirm current toilets, water availability and mobility requirements rather than relying on historical gallery photos.

Getting There

Use the current town park page and its linked trail map for Margaret Lindley Park in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Follow signed public parking and pond access. The retained historical coordinate is not a verified beach entrance. Town hall contact addresses are not the park's entrance.

Access Notes

Swimming operates Memorial Day through Labor Day, dawn to dusk; hiking is available year-round. The June 29, 2026 reopening notice supersedes the June 24 bacteria closure, but is not an October swimming-opening notice. Stay out of the roped-off grass area identified after June tree removal and follow any newer signs.

Plan Your Visit

Parking & Access

Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.

Regulations & Fees

Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.

Seasonality & Flow

Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.

What to Bring

Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.

Nearby Facilities

Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.

Map data retrieved 2026-06-15

Haley Farm Trailhead

Hiking area

2.6 mi 4.9 (43)

1033 Hopper Rd, Williamstown, MA 01267

Wilbur's Clearing Trailhead

Hiking area

3.6 mi 4.9 (11)

Notch Rd, Adams, MA 01220

Cascade Trail - Trailhead

Tourist attraction

5 mi 4.6 (278)

Brickyard Ct, North Adams, MA 01247

North Adams City Hall

City Hall

6.1 mi 2.9 (19)

10 Main St, North Adams, MA 01247

Restroom

Female Bathroom

Public female bathroom

6.1 mi

Building 13, Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247

Public Parking

Parking lot

6.3 mi

55 Veterans Memorial Dr, North Adams, MA 01247

Historic Valley Park

Park

7 mi 4.5 (267)

200 Windsor Lake Rd, North Adams, MA 01247

Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroomSlides

Historic Valley Campground

Campground

7.2 mi 4.4 (25)

200 Windsor Lake Rd, North Adams, MA 01247

Public restroomPublic showerRestroomTent sites

Live Conditions Nearby

Checking nearby USGS water conditions…

Frequently Asked Questions About Margaret Lindley Park

When is the swimming pond open?

The town publishes Memorial Day through Labor Day, dawn to dusk, subject to water-quality notices and other restrictions. October is outside that swimming season.

Can dogs use the woodland trails in summer?

No. The specific park page prohibits dogs everywhere in the park, including trails, during Memorial Day-Labor Day swim season. It welcomes dogs from Labor Day through Memorial Day, subject to current signs and town requirements.

Does the June bacteria closure still apply?

The park page carries a newer June 29, 2026 reopening after the June 24 closure. Check for later notices; that reopening is not a current-day water-quality guarantee.

Is a Ranger the same as a lifeguard?

No. The town lists summer Ranger staffing Tuesday through Saturday, but the reviewed page does not establish lifeguard coverage.

Can I hike outside swimming season?

The town lists year-round hiking beside Hemlock Brook toward Harmon Pond. Follow current access restrictions and keep those routes distinct from permitted pond swimming.

Highlights

Town-operated seasonal swimming pond
Picnic lawn, tables and grills
Year-round woodland trails beside Hemlock Brook

Unique Features

Hemlock Brook feeds the beach pond; woodland trails lead toward Harmon Pond wetland

Location & Area Map

Safety Information

Important Safety Tips

  • The town tests water weekly and posts closures on its park page and official social channels
  • Check before entering; a past reopening does not guarantee current conditions
  • Summer Ranger staffing does not establish lifeguard supervision
  • Do not treat the brook or Harmon Pond as alternative swim entries

Cultural & Historical Context

Historical Background

Located near culturally rich towns with historical significance, including ties to Revolutionary War legends

Photography Guide

Photo Opportunities

Pond and sandy shore, shaded picnic tables, Hemlock Brook Trail sign and woodland bridge. Historical photos are not proof of water quality or current facilities.

Conservation & Ethics

Protect This Place

Dogs are prohibited everywhere in the park, including woodland trails, during Memorial Day-Labor Day swim season. The specific park page welcomes dogs from Labor Day through Memorial Day; follow current signs and any additional town requirements. Protect roped-off recovering grass and remove litter.

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At a Glance

Best Time to Visit
For swimming, choose a date within Memorial Day-Labor Day and check current test notices. For a trail or picnic visit, follow dawn-to-dusk guidance and local restrictions.
Difficulty Level
Trail and beach routes have different surfaces and requirements. Confirm the route and mobility needs rather than inferring an accessible approach from a wooden bridge photo.
Fee
A current admission charge is not published on the reviewed town park pages. Confirm any group-use or reservation requirements with the town.
Facilities
The town says a summer Park Ranger works Tuesday through Saturday. Ranger presence is not confirmation of lifeguard coverage. Ask about mobility needs and the exact beach approach.
Activities
Seasonal pond swimming when permitted, picnicking and year-round woodland hiking toward Harmon Pond
Phone
Confirm park-specific contact through the official town park page

Safety & Access Notice

This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.

You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.

Camping Information

The reviewed pages do not establish overnight camping at the park. Year-round hiking permission is not camping permission.

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Safety & Access Notice

This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.

  • Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
  • Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
  • Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
  • Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
  • Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
  • Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.

You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.

J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes

Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.

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