Pristine Water Can Be Found At Benedict Pond In Massachusetts

With over 3,000 lakes and ponds, there are some incredibly pristine bodies of water around the Bay State. One of the cleanest and clearest ponds can be found within Beartown State Forest. This particular pond is quite remote and unspoiled, so if you’re looking for untouched beauty around the state, head to the forest and make your way to Benedict Pond.

Beartown State Forest protects 12,000 acres within Great Barrington, Monterey, Lee, Tyringham, and Stockbridge. Within its boundaries are forests, including two areas of old-growth forest, a section of the Appalachian Trail, and the pristine 35-acre Benedict Pond which has its own beach.

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A 1.7-mile interpretive loop circumnavigates Benedict Pond. Hikers along this trail can enjoy water views almost the entire length around.

peter shay/AllTrails

Along this easy trail, you’ll hike over wooden bridges and encounter lookouts over the pond where you can stop and appreciate all the natural beauty and the pristine water. Depending on when you visit, you may have the pond all to yourself!

Heather Beauvais/AllTrails

Benedict Pond is a shallow man-made pond that connects to the Housatonic River. Previously a swamp, trees were cleared in the 1930s and a dam was built.

Rick Greenberg/AllTrails

With such incredibly clean and clear water, spend some time swimming at Benedict Pond’s beach in the warmer months. The pond is quite shallow throughout with the deepest parts at five-to-eight feet.

AllTrails

Maybe bring a picnic and enjoy sitting at a tranquil spot along Benedict Pond. It’s quite lovely here just about any time of year.

Ellie DuJack/AllTrails

If you take a walk around the pond, be sure to sign your name and leave a comment in the Pond Loop notebook found in this box.

Tara Richards/AllTrails

Jesse Phillips/Google

peter shay/AllTrails

Heather Beauvais/AllTrails

Rick Greenberg/AllTrails

AllTrails

Ellie DuJack/AllTrails

Tara Richards/AllTrails

Wouldn’t you just love to take a walk around Benedict Pond with some of the cleanest and clearest water in Massachusetts? In the comments, let us know if you’ve been here before. To learn more, visit the Benedict Pond webpage.

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Address: Benedict Pond Road, Benedict Pond Rd, Great Barrington, MA, USA