Crystal Lake is a spring-fed kettle pond in Newton Highlands with a city-run swim beach and bathhouse at the Rogers Street end. Swimming is confined to a roped-off area with a lifeguard-run deep-water test for kids who want access to the far H-Dock section, and a stretch of shoreline to the west, called Levingston Cove, has an informal fishing platform and unofficial swim spot reached by a…
What to expect
Parking
Free lot Free with membership/day pass
Swimming
Water not monitored by DPH
Hours
Guarded swim hours: mid-June to late June, weekdays 4 to 7 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; late June to mid-August, weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Season
Guarded swim season: mid-June to mid-August. Swimming is allowed only at the city beach during the posted season and hours. The park, the shoreline path and the Levingston Cove walkway stay open for walking outside the season.
From mid-JuneEntry fee
A summer membership or day pass is required to use the guarded swim area and bathhouse; the shoreline path and Levingston Cove can be walked without a fee. checked Jul 15, 2026
Accessibility
Handicap parking spaces are provided at the beach lot; no further accessibility detail (paved path, accessible restroom) was confirmed.
Lifeguard
On duty during the posted swim hours, mid-June to mid-August.
Off duty · back mid-JuneDogs
Dogs must be leashed and are not allowed to enter the water, drink from it, or lick water off their fur; owners must remove waste. Park areas may be used during daylight hours only.
Fishing
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Newton Parks and Recreation Department, Aquatics
617-796-1500 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Free lot
CostFree with membership/day pass
Rogers Street beach lot
Rogers Street beach lot
CostFree with membership/day passSpaces~40
Has handicap-accessible spaces.
Access points along this beach
Main beach & bathhouse
Rogers Street entrance, lifeguarded swim zone and H-Dock deep water test area.
Levingston Cove
Informal fishing platform and unofficial swim spot on the shoreline west of the bathhouse, reached by a public lakeside path under a conservation restriction.
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Bathhouse at the main beach
Changing rooms
Bathhouse at the main beach.
Dock
H-Dock deep-water swim area; a separate fishing platform is at Levingston Cove.
Worth knowing
- The lake has periodically closed to swimming due to cyanobacteria blooms; check current status before visiting in late summer.
Common questions
Is Crystal Lake Beach in Newton open today?
open to the public; water quality here is not monitored by MA DPH (updated 2026-11-06). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Can I swim at Crystal Lake without a membership?
The guarded swim area requires a summer membership or day pass; the surrounding shoreline path is open to walk without one.
Can I bring my dog to Crystal Lake?
Dogs are welcome on a leash on the paths but may not go in the water.
When is Crystal Lake Beach open for swimming?
The guarded season runs mid-June to mid-August: weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. after the first two weeks, weekday afternoons only before that. The city posts closures on its Crystal Lake page and publishes weekly E. coli sample results.
Can I swim at Crystal Lake outside the season?
Unguarded swimming is not permitted under the city's rules for the lake. The shoreline path and Levingston Cove stay open for walking.
Is there parking at Crystal Lake Beach, and what does it cost?
Free lot (Free with membership/day pass). Rogers Street beach lot
Are there restrooms at Crystal Lake Beach?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What rules should I know at Crystal Lake Beach?
Lifeguards have full discretion over the beach and swim area; failure to follow their direction can mean dismissal or loss of membership. Swimmers ages 6-17 must pass a daily deep-water test to use the H-Dock area; wristbands are issued and the test can be retaken once per day. No alcoholic…
Is there an entry fee at Crystal Lake Beach?
Yes, A summer membership or day pass is required to use the guarded swim area and bathhouse; the shoreline path and Levingston Cove can be walked without a fee.