Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point
Worcester, Massachusetts · on Lake Quinsigamond · Quinsigamond State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $8
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point
Regatta Point is the northern day-use area of Quinsigamond State Park in Worcester, Massachusetts, sitting on the western shore of Lake Quinsigamond, a roughly 772-acre, 4-mile-long lake shared with Shrewsbury. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation designates swimming as an official activity here alongside sailing, picnicking, and fishing, making this both a sanctioned swimming hole and an easy in-city lake to swim in; the site is also home to a world-renowned 2,000-meter competitive rowing course.
Regatta Point sits on the western shore of Lake Quinsigamond, north of Route 9 and across North Lake Avenue from the UMass Chan Medical School campus, occupying about 25 acres of the park's 38 total acres. The lake itself is a long, glacially-carved body of water (roughly 4 miles long, up to ~90 feet deep) that separates Worcester from Shrewsbury and has hosted competitive rowing since 1857, including the 1952 US Olympic rowing trials.
Swimming at Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point
The MA DCR designates swimming as an official activity at Regatta Point, distinct from the separate swimming beach at the park's southern Lake Park area. Facilities include a beach mat and beach wheelchair for accessibility, restrooms, and showers, indicating a maintained, lake-beach style swim area rather than an informal or backcountry spot.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 10 North Lake Avenue, Worcester, MA, on the north side of Route 9 across from the UMass Chan Medical School campus.
Parking: Daily parking fee charged year-round: $8 for Massachusetts residents, $30 for non-residents (by vehicle license plate), payable via the MA DCR Yodel portal; annual and lifetime senior parking passes also available.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Regatta Point is a drive-up DCR day-use area with an on-site parking lot immediately adjacent to the swimming beach; visitors walk directly from parking to the water (well under 5 minutes), no trail or hike involved.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Regatta Point is a designated, DCR-maintained lake beach with a beach mat and beach wheelchair for accessibility (gentle, gradual lake-beach entry rather than a cliff or fast-current spot), which favors families. However, prior research found no confirmation of on-duty lifeguards ('no lifeguard, swim-at-own-risk' per official page), so young children should be watched closely rather than left to a lifeguard.
Parking
Paid, $8/day Massachusetts resident, $30/day non-resident (by vehicle license plate)
Fee charged year-round, payable via the MA DCR Yodel parking portal; annual and lifetime senior parking passes also available. Lot is on-site at 10 North Lake Ave, Worcester.
Restrooms
Yes
On-site restrooms and showers at the Regatta Point day-use area per the MA DCR park page; accessible restrooms are also listed among the site's accessibility features.
Hours
Sunrise to sunset (MA DCR standard park hours)
On the water
Restrictions: MA DCR's official activity list for Quinsigamond State Park specifies 'non-motorized boating' and sailing rather than motorboats; Lake Quinsigamond is used for competitive/recreational rowing and sailing regattas, consistent with a non-motorized (or low-wake) emphasis at this park unit. No explicit electric-only rule or horsepower limit was found in sourced material.
Regatta Point Community Sailing, a nonprofit boating organization headquartered on-site since 1960, runs sailing/rowing/paddling programs and public rentals directly from this location.
Rentals nearby
Single kayak, tandem kayak, stand-up paddleboard, canoe, pedal boat, and duck/swan pedal boat rentals, launched directly from the Regatta Point site on Lake Quinsigamond (they also operate a second location at Hopkinton Reservoir). All hourly rentals include life jacket, paddle, and a safety overview.
Prices: Single kayak $22/hr or $44/3hr; tandem kayak $30/hr or $60/3hr; stand-up paddleboard $26/hr or $52/3hr; canoe $30/hr or $60/3hr; pedal boat $35/hr or $70/3hr; duck & swan pedal boat $49/hr or $96/3hr. 1-hour minimum, 15-minute increments after that; day rate is 4x hourly. Book 2 hours and the 3rd hour is free. Paddlers 16-17 need parental consent; under-16 need an adult present.
On-site at Regatta Point, 10 N. Lake Ave, Worcester, MA (same location as the swimming beach)
Backstory
Lake Quinsigamond has hosted competitive collegiate rowing since 1857 and its 2,000-meter course is internationally recognized as one of the best in the world; it hosted the 1952 US Olympic rowing trials and continues to host the NEIRA championships (40+ schools) annually. Regatta Point Community Sailing, a nonprofit boating organization, has operated sailing, rowing, and paddling programs at the site since 1960.
Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point: FAQ
Does Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point charge a fee?
Daily parking fee ($8 resident/$30 non-resident); no separate swimming fee found. Pavilion rentals cost $50/day (two smaller pavilions, capacity 35 each) or $65/day (larger pavilion, capacity 75).
Is Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point kid friendly?
Regatta Point is a designated, DCR-maintained lake beach with a beach mat and beach wheelchair for accessibility (gentle, gradual lake-beach entry rather than a cliff or fast-current spot), which favors families. However, prior research found no confirmation of on-duty lifeguards ('no lifeguard, swim-at-own-risk' per official page), so young children should be watched closely rather than left to a lifeguard.
Do I need to hike to reach Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point?
Fee charged year-round, payable via the MA DCR Yodel parking portal; annual and lifetime senior parking passes also available. Lot is on-site at 10 North Lake Ave, Worcester.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point?
Regatta Point Community Sailing, a nonprofit boating organization headquartered on-site since 1960, runs sailing/rowing/paddling programs and public rentals directly from this location.
When is the best time to visit Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point?
Summer, consistent with the on-site sailing/rowing/swim camp season (mid-June through mid-August) described by Regatta Point Community Sailing.
What are the rules at Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point?
Park hours are sunrise to sunset. Dogs are allowed. No lifeguard, swim-at-own-risk, or other specific swimming regulations were found in sourced material.
What water body is Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point on?
Quinsigamond State Park- Regatta Point is on Lake Quinsigamond, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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