Lake Gardner Beach

Amesbury, Massachusetts · on Powwow River

Verified · 3 independent sources · top-verified

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: No fee found
SEASON: Best in summer

About Lake Gardner Beach

Lake Gardner Beach is a city-owned, town-maintained swimming beach on Lake Gardner, a mill pond impoundment of the Powwow River at 80 High Street in Amesbury, Massachusetts. The City of Amesbury officially designates the beach for swimming, with weekly summer bacteria testing and posted beach rules, which makes this swimming hole a well-kept lake to swim in that also offers canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and trail access.

The beach sits on Lake Gardner, a body of water created by damming the Powwow River, in a residential/small-town setting in Amesbury near the town center. Trails run from the beach along the lake to nearby Battis Farm, and the site is described by the city as 'a small, beautiful beach.'

Swimming at Lake Gardner Beach

Official designated swimming area within marked buoys on a small town lake beach; unguarded (no lifeguards, swim at own risk). Suited to families for a casual summer swim, alongside canoeing/kayaking and fishing at the same spot. Water quality is monitored via weekly bacteria testing during the summer season, with results posted for swimmers to check before entering the water.

How to get to this swimming hole

Parking: On-site parking is listed as a facility feature; no further detail (lot size, capacity) found.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up city beach at 80 High Street with on-site parking directly adjacent to the water; no hike is needed to reach the swimming area. A separate trail does run from the beach along the lake to nearby Battis Farm, but it is a bonus walk, not required for swimming access.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Small city lake beach with a designated swim area marked off by buoys, but there are no lifeguards on duty (swim at own risk) and water quality depends on weekly summer bacteria testing that visitors are expected to check before entering. Fine for kids with an attentive adult, not a guarded facility.

Parking

Lot

On-site parking is listed as an official facility feature on the city's Lake Gardner Beach page (80 High Street, Amesbury), but lot size and any fee were not stated in that source and could not be confirmed elsewhere.

Hours

Dawn to dusk (per City of Amesbury facility page)

Swim smart

Unguarded swimming (no lifeguards on duty); water quality subject to periodic bacteria contamination requiring residents to check weekly test results before swimming.

Rules: No lifeguards (swim at own risk); dogs prohibited on the beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day per the Amesbury Health Department (leashed allowed on trails and on the beach off-season); no fires or grill use at any time per the Amesbury Fire Department; jet skis prohibited; motorized boats restricted to lake residents; swimmers must stay within the marked buoys; groups of 10+ must submit a permit application through Amesbury Recreation, and groups of 25+ must provide their own lifeguard.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

KayaksCanoes

Restrictions: Jet skis are prohibited outright. Motorized boats are restricted to lake residents only (non-residents cannot launch motorboats here). Swimmers must stay within marked buoys, implying non-motorized craft use is expected to keep clear of the designated swim zone.

No source found specifying an explicit no-wake or electric-only designation beyond the resident-only motorboat rule; not stated whether a boat launch/ramp exists on site.

Lake Gardner Beach: FAQ

Is Lake Gardner Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Lake Gardner Beach?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Lake Gardner Beach?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lake Gardner Beach?

No source found specifying an explicit no-wake or electric-only designation beyond the resident-only motorboat rule; not stated whether a boat launch/ramp exists on site.

When is the best time to visit Lake Gardner Beach?

Summer (weekly bacteria testing is specifically conducted during the summer season, and dog restrictions run Memorial Day to Labor Day, indicating summer as the designated swim season).

What are the rules at Lake Gardner Beach?

No lifeguards (swim at own risk); dogs prohibited on the beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day per the Amesbury Health Department (leashed allowed on trails and on the beach off-season); no fires or grill use at any time per the Amesbury Fire Department; jet skis prohibited; motorized boats restricted to lake residents; swimmers must stay within the marked buoys; groups of 10+ must submit a permit application through Amesbury Recreation, and groups of 25+ must provide their own lifeguard.

What water body is Lake Gardner Beach on?

Lake Gardner Beach is on Powwow River, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.