Carbuncle Pond Beach is Oxford's town swimming beach on a 14-acre pond next to the high school, with a sand beach, lifeguards, a splash pad, and a beach house, run by the Oxford Community Center each summer.
What to expect
Swimming
No current MA DPH posting
Hours
summer season daily 11 AM-5 PM, weather permitting
Season
outdoor grounds open year-round for fishing, hiking, and leisure; the guarded swim beach and splash pad operate only in summer
Entry fee
daily passes sold on-site; season passes for residents and non-residents sold in advance at the Oxford Community Center (4 Maple Road); specific dollar prices are not published on the town page checked Jul 22, 2026
Accessibility
parking lot rebuilt 2021 ($100,639) to ADA/AAB standard with a new wheelchair ramp and sidewalk; no beach wheelchair or Mobi-Mat confirmed
Lifeguard
lifeguards on duty during summer operating hours; exact season start/end dates not published
Dogs
pets are prohibited in the beach and splash pad area
Fishing
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Oxford Community Center / Oxford Recreation Commission
508-987-6002 · WebsiteGetting in
Access points along this beach
12 Carbuncle Drive entrance / Beach House
main entrance and parking, just before Oxford High School
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
indoor public restrooms in the Beach House, open during summer operating hours
Common questions
Is Carbuncle Pond in Oxford open today?
Carbuncle Pond is not currently listed in the MA DPH beach postings, which last listed it on 2026-08-12. There is no current swim advisory or all-clear to report for it. MA DPH is the authority.
Can I swim at Carbuncle Pond?
Yes, the town beach on the pond's north shore is staffed with lifeguards during summer hours, 11 AM to 5 PM, weather permitting.
Pets aren't allowed in the beach and splash pad area.
Daily passes are sold on-site, and resident and non-resident season passes are sold in advance at the Oxford Community Center, though exact prices aren't posted online.
Is it good for young kids?
The splash pad and shallow beach area draw families, but swim diapers are required for children still in diapers and adult supervision is mandatory.
What rules should I know at Carbuncle Pond?
the facility closes immediately at the first sound of thunder. children must be supervised by an adult caregiver at all times. pets prohibited in the beach/splash pad area. no glass containers or food permitted in the splash pad area.