Beautiful scenery, easy but can get get a little rough with waves when windy. Can be short trip but exploring every nook and cranny along with the islands could be an all day event. Some of the islands have small charcoal grills for picnics and swimming is allowed, good family day activity. Motor boats are allowed under 15 mph for fishing, and no jet skis, so beginner friendly.

This is the largest body of water in October Mountain State Forest, the largest state forest in the commonwealth. The shoreline is heavily forested and gorgeous to look at, especially in fall. This state forest is well-known for its fall foliage and Buckley-Dunton Lake is a great place to view the fall colors. Beavers and herons are active along the shore and there are many coves and inlets to explore and watch for signs of other animals such as porcupines and moose that inhabit the area. There is no actual boat ramp at the lake but there is a gravel area near the dam to launch small boats. The quiet nature of the lake makes it an ideal place to explore by canoe or kayak.

Pontoosuc Lake is a 480-acre great pond that is located in Pittsfield and Lanesborough. Aquatic vegetation is abundant, extending to depths of 10 feet or more from most of the shoreline and it is particularly thick in the northern coves. The shoreline is heavily developed and the lake supports heavy recreational use throughout the year. Beautiful views of the Taconic Range to the west provide a backdrop to these waters. Public access is provided by a paved boat ramp located at the southernmost tip of the lake off of Hancock Road. Fishing on Pontoosuc Lake is great but shoreline is virtually non-existent because of the tightly packed homes all around the lake.

This lake is located in Pittsfield and lies at the foot of the Taconic Mountains. Smith Mountain, Pine Mountain, Tower Mountain, and Berry Hill provide a stunning backdrop to the lake. On the shore of Onota Lake is Burbank Park where there are two separate parking areas and launching spots. There are several homes along the shore but there are also many areas that are densely forested. The trees around the lake display stunning foliage in autumn. The lake is very popular for fishing, swimming, and boating.

Bog Pond is a fascinating 37-acre lake in Savoy located within and protected by Savoy Mountain State Forest. The forest is very scenic and spacious and is well-known for its abundant wildlife. Bog Pond is a little-visited pond in the forest that displays a unique montage of floating peat-moss islands on dark colored water. The shorelines consist of forest, bog, and wetlands and are home to black bear, moose, bobcat, fox, coyote, and much more. Access is on the southeast side of the lake off Bog Pond Road.

The West Branch of the Westfield River is one of the best early-spring Class IV runs in New England. The valley from Becket to Chester is isolated, marked only with beautiful stone-arch railroad bridges and the bridge at Bancroft. This route features three stunning granite railroad bridges which span the river high above as you challenge the rapids below. There are a few tricky waves to maneuver including a double ledge in the gorge. Take-out is a mile below Chester Center at a roadside pullout on MA 20.

Horn Pond is a beautiful pond located just south of Woburn town center. The east side of the pond is a very urban area while the west side of the pond is protected land where there are parks, forests, walking trails, and a golf course. This is a very popular place for family picnics and walks around the pond. Access to the pond is located on the north end where there is a boat ramp off of Sturgis Street that is suitable for canoes and car top boats. There is an alternate launching area on the south end of the pond on Lake Avenue. The pond is very picturesque with beautiful trees lining the shores, birds making home to the pond, and a great view of Mount Towanda.

With much of the shoreline protected by Moore State Park, Eames Pond offers a wonderful paddling opportunity. An endless sea of lily pads, a large beaver lodge and other signs of beaver activity, and a striking display of purple-flowered bladderwort make this an idyllic place to paddle. This wonderful pond is rarely paddled though there are several hiking trails that course through Moore State Park that visit the pond’s shore. Parking is limited to the side of the road.

This is a great section that has been called one of the best whitewater runs in the East. The upper and lower sections have a gradient of 130 feet per mile and the middle section has a gradient of 100 feet per mile. It is technical in nature and demands good boat control. There is a 10-foot waterfall at mile 3.1 that is runnable in the center at most water levels, or portage on the right. Take out at the confluence of the Deerfield River on MA 2.

East Brimfield Lake is located in Sturbridge and Brimfield and lies within the Quinebog River Watershed. Access to the lake is from Route 20 just west of the bridge between East Brimfield Lake and Long Pond. This lake is especially scenic and beautiful as you paddle around the shore and across the water with the dam on the east end of the lake, Quinepaug Cove on the west end which is covered in beautiful lily pads, and a gorgeous forest surrounding the lake on all sides. In the fall the foliage is stunning as well. There is a culvert that runs beneath Route 20 to Long Pond that may or may not be passable by canoe or kayak.