The Ponds of Harold Parker

Harold Parker State Forest has 11 ponds, and DCR counts nine of them as man-made, the man-made ones dammed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Swimming is allowed only at the Berry Pond beach and the Frye Pond campers' beach. DCR says fishing, canoeing and other non-motorized boating are popular at Stearns and Field Ponds, and marked loop trails pass Stearns, Sudden, Salem, Collins and Brackett Ponds.

The 11 Ponds

DCR's management plan maps the forest's ponds as Bear, Berry, Bradford, Brackett, Collins, Delano, Field, Frye, Salem, Stearns and Sudden. Two are natural; the other nine sit behind dams of poured concrete and earth with concrete or stone spillways, many fitted with wooden gates to raise the water. The CCC's Camp S-5 built the dams that created Delano, Brackett, Collins, Field and Frye Ponds in 1933 to 1935. See history.

Stearns Pond

DCR names Stearns Pond, with Field Pond, as the forest's popular water for fishing, canoeing and non-motorized boating. The CCC built a swimming and picnic area here in the 1930s, and during World War II, DCR's plan says, Stearns was the one recreation area that stayed open. DCR's plan recommended raking aquatic plants in parts of Stearns to keep open water for boats and anglers. Swimming is not on DCR's 2026 list for Stearns.

The Stearns Pond Trail (blue markers) is a 3.1-mile loop from the Park Headquarters on Middleton Road, according to the Friends of Harold Parker. It follows the paved Beach Road to Gate 4, circles the pond on Stearns Pond Road, then returns on singletrack that the Friends describe as rocky in places with short steep climbs.

Sudden Pond

Sudden Pond is near the headquarters, off Middleton Road. DCR held its 2026 Fall Fishing Festival here, with MassWildlife staff on hand. The Sudden Pond Trail (white markers) is a 1.6-mile loop from Gate 4 near the headquarters; the Friends warn to watch for horses on its first stretch.

Berry Pond

The forest's day-use swimming pond, with a CCC pavilion and picnic area, and the only Harold Parker pond on MassWildlife's trout stocking list. Full details on Berry Pond.

Frye Pond

Frye Pond lies inside Lorraine Park Campground. DCR runs a campers' beach here (unguarded in 2026) and its Gone Fishing program meets at the Frye Pond bridge. The CCC's Camp S-76 stood on its east side in the 1930s. See camping.

Field Pond

Field Pond, south of Harold Parker Road, was given a beach, picnic area and three parking lots by Camp S-5 in the 1930s. DCR now lists it with Stearns as a favorite for fishing and paddling. DCR's Critter Crawl program starts from the Field Pond trailhead next to campsite 20.

Salem Pond

Salem Pond is the centerpiece of DCR's signature hike, the Yellow Diamond Trail, which DCR describes as a 3-mile lollipop that encircles Salem Pond with scenic water views. It is rated moderate and is not a trail for beginners; it was built for mountain bikes. See mountain biking.

Collins, Brackett, Delano and Bear Ponds

These four sit at the forest's western end along Harold Parker Road. The Friends Loop (red markers) is a 2-mile circuit around Collins and Brackett Ponds from the Chimney or Collins Lot, and DCR's 2026 eclipse walk took a three-quarter-mile loop around Collins Pond. DCR's signature bike ride explores the trails and forest roads that loop around Collins, Brackett, Delano and Bear Ponds.

Bradford Pond

Bradford Pond is on DCR's pond list and was the site of CCC Camp S-5, west of the pond. It has no marked loop of its own on the Friends' trail list.

Pond Rules

• Swim only at the Berry Pond and Frye Pond beaches, in season.
• Boats must be non-motorized, per DCR's activity list. Life jackets are required for boaters 12 and under, and for canoeists and kayakers from September 15 to May 15.
• Clean boats and gear before moving them between waters to stop aquatic hitchhikers, a state law DCR cites.
• Ice skating is on DCR's activity list, but DCR posts no ice conditions for these ponds. Call the headquarters at (978) 686-3391 before going on any ice. See winter.