A small resident-only freshwater beach shared by Hamilton and Wenham, with the main gated entrance and most of the pond on the Wenham side and a secondary path entrance from Lake Drive on the Hamilton side. No lifeguards; families come for casual swimming rather than watersports.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker Included with resident sticker; day fee for out-of-town MA residents
Swimming
Water not monitored by DPH
Hours
Beach hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day, with gate attendants daily.
From Memorial DaySeason
Full beach hours run Memorial Day through Labor Day; the pond area itself is accessible daily year-round
Entry fee
Resident sticker required for parking; no walk-in day fee found for residents
Dogs
No dog-specific posting found for the beach itself; townwide leash bylaw applies (leashed at all times)
Fishing
Allowed Bank fishing only; no casting from the beach; a few parking spaces reserved for MA license holders
Managed by
Hamilton-Wenham Recreation Department
978-468-2178 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
CostIncluded with resident sticker; day fee for out-of-town MA residentsStickerHamilton resident sticker $100/season ($20 for seniors 65+, 2026 pricing); purchased at Wenham Police Station or Wenham Town Clerk's office
Pleasant Street lot (Wenham side, gated)
Details unconfirmed
Pleasant Street lot (Wenham side, gated)
CostIncluded with resident sticker; day fee for out-of-town MA residentsSpacesUnconfirmed
Gate attendants on duty daily in season
Common questions
Is Pleasant Pond Beach in Hamilton open today?
open to the public; water quality here is not monitored by MA DPH (updated 2026-09-13). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
No. Pleasant Pond is swim-at-your-own-risk with no lifeguard on duty.
Is there parking at Pleasant Pond Beach, and what does it cost?
Resident sticker (Included with resident sticker; day fee for out-of-town MA residents). Pleasant Street lot (Wenham side, gated)
What rules should I know at Pleasant Pond Beach?
No lifeguard on duty; swim at your own risk. No one under 12 may be at the pond without a supervisor 18 or older. No fishing/casting from the beach itself, bank fishing only.
Can you swim at Pleasant Pond Beach?
Pleasant Pond Beach is town-owned and its water is not monitored by MA DPH, so there is no official swim status. Check conditions posted at the beach.
Are dogs allowed at Pleasant Pond Beach?
No dog-specific posting found for the beach itself; townwide leash bylaw applies (leashed at all times)
Is there an entry fee at Pleasant Pond Beach?
Resident sticker required for parking; no walk-in day fee found for residents
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Pleasant Pond Beach?
Yes, parking here uses a resident sticker. Included with resident sticker; day fee for out-of-town MA residents.