Seymour Pond
Harwich, Massachusetts · on Seymour Pond
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- pond
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Seymour Pond
Seymour Pond is a freshwater kettle pond straddling the Harwich-Brewster town line on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, formed by a melting glacial ice block roughly 18,000 years ago. It has a small town beach off Pleasant Lake Avenue, right alongside the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike path, and this natural swimming hole is used for swimming, fishing, and small non-motorized boating.
The pond sits in a lightly wooded, lightly developed setting on the Harwich-Brewster line, with about two miles of shoreline consisting mostly of a few residences, cranberry bogs, and the town beach; it is part of the Herring River headwaters system and drains toward Hinckleys Pond. The Cape Cod Rail Trail passes directly beside the pond, separating it from the adjacent Long Pond.
Swimming at Seymour Pond
Swimming is in a sandy-bottomed, clear kettle pond (max depth about 38 feet, transparency 6-13 feet) described by visitors as having warm, cool-refreshing fresh water and a sandy beach; it is a low-key, lightly-crowded alternative to Cape Cod's ocean beaches, popular with cyclists on the Rail Trail who stop to cool off.
How to get to this swimming hole
Accessed via Pleasant Lake Avenue just south of the Harwich/Brewster town line, adjacent to the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike path off Route 124.
Parking: Very limited: roadside/town beach parking with only about 3 spaces at the Seymour's Pond lot; a Harwich beach sticker is required from Memorial Day through Labor Day (sticker pricing reported as 1 week $65, 2 weeks $125, seasonal $150, resident seasonal $30). Nearby Long Pond has a larger parking area for overflow.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike needed - the small beach parking lot opens directly onto the sandy town beach, essentially a walk of well under a minute from car to water. The Cape Cod Rail Trail (a paved bike path) runs immediately alongside the pond, so cyclists on the trail can also step off and swim without any additional trail-specific distance.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy town-beach entry is gentle right at shore, but there is no lifeguard on duty and the kettle pond drops to about 38 ft not far out, so young kids should be watched closely rather than left to wade freely.
Parking
Paid, Harwich beach sticker required Memorial Day-Labor Day (reported: 1 week $65, 2 weeks $125, season $150, resident season $30); free/no sticker needed off-season
Only about 3 spaces in the small 'Seymour's Pond' lot off Pleasant Lake Avenue; overflow parking is at the larger Long Pond lot nearby. Lot sits directly beside the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Restrooms
Yes
One portable toilet at the beach; no permanent restroom building reported.
Water clarity
Clear
Reported pond transparency of 6-13 feet (harwichwaters.org) and a sandy/granite-derived bottom typical of Cape Cod kettle ponds, which regulars say gives these ponds 'incredible visibility.'
On the water
The right side of the beach is a designated carry-in launch area for kayaks and small sailboats. No source found describing rules on canoes, paddleboards, or motorboats specifically, or any electric-only/no-wake restriction, so those are left unconfirmed rather than assumed.
Rentals nearby
Single/tandem kayaks, fishing kayaks, pedal fishing kayaks, touring kayaks, SUPs, canoes, rowboats, and Sunfish sailboats; rentals include paddles, life jackets, and transport straps
Prices: Kayaks $60-75/24hr, SUPs $65/24hr, canoes $75/24hr, Sunfish sailboats $145/24hr, surfboards $30/24hr; 'every third day free' on multi-day rentals
Based in Wellfleet, MA with delivery advertised 'across the Outer Cape (Brewster to Provincetown)'; Harwich is not explicitly listed as a delivery town, so confirm delivery to Seymour Pond directly with them before booking · 9am-4pm daily in season (roughly late May-mid September)
Backstory
Named after John Seymour, a local tanner; also known locally as Bangs Pond after a later resident, John D. Bangs.
Seymour Pond: FAQ
Does Seymour Pond charge a fee?
Beach sticker required in-season (see parking); no separate swimming fee reported.
Is Seymour Pond kid friendly?
Sandy town-beach entry is gentle right at shore, but there is no lifeguard on duty and the kettle pond drops to about 38 ft not far out, so young kids should be watched closely rather than left to wade freely.
Do I need to hike to reach Seymour Pond?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Seymour Pond?
Only about 3 spaces in the small 'Seymour's Pond' lot off Pleasant Lake Avenue; overflow parking is at the larger Long Pond lot nearby. Lot sits directly beside the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Seymour Pond?
The right side of the beach is a designated carry-in launch area for kayaks and small sailboats. No source found describing rules on canoes, paddleboards, or motorboats specifically, or any electric-only/no-wake restriction, so those are left unconfirmed rather than assumed.
When is the best time to visit Seymour Pond?
Summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day), consistent with when beach stickers/lifeguard-free swimming season and dog restrictions apply.
What are the rules at Seymour Pond?
No lifeguard on duty. Dogs prohibited from June 15 through Labor Day (permitted off-season).
What water body is Seymour Pond on?
Seymour Pond is on Seymour Pond, a natural pond verified in USGS hydrography data.
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