A 12-acre pocket of Town conservation land off Namequoit Road where under a mile of woodland trail ends at benches looking over Little Pleasant Bay and the pond itself. Bring your own gear: there's no lifeguard, no facilities, and it rewards a quiet paddle more than a beach day.
What to expect
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Dogs
Allowed on this conservation property; Orleans has no fixed leash law, so a dog must be restrained or under voice control per the Town's general public-property rule
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Orleans Natural Resources Department
(508) 240-3775 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Free lot
CostFree
163 Namequoit Rd trailhead lot
Details unconfirmed
Access points along this beach
163 Namequoit Rd trailhead
Bay-overlook benches
trail's-end benches over Little Pleasant Bay and the pond
Common questions
Is Paw Wah Pond in Orleans open today?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-07-16). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Can I swim at Paw Wah Pond?
The 12-acre conservation area's trails lead to benches on Little Pleasant Bay where swimming is possible, and overlooks the pond itself which is used for canoeing - there's no lifeguard or facilities, so it's a bring-your-own-gear, self-supervised spot.
Is there parking at Paw Wah Pond, and what does it cost?
Free lot (Free). 163 Namequoit Rd trailhead lot
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