Rules & Regulations

Quabbin Reservoir is unfiltered drinking water for 2.7 million people, so its rules are stricter than a state park's. On all DCR Quabbin lands: no dogs (not even in parked cars), no swimming or wading, no camping, no fires, grills or stoves, no alcohol, no drones and no horses. Enter only through gates or posted areas, from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Boats are for fishing only. Fines for breaking the watershed rules can reach $50,000.

The rules come from the state's Watershed Protection Regulations, 313 CMR 11.00, and DCR says state law prohibits anything that could pollute the water. Copies are available at the Quabbin Visitor Center.

Why the Rules Are So Strict

The Quabbin is one of the few large unfiltered water supplies in the country. DCR and the MWRA have to meet strict state and federal standards to keep it that way, and DCR's job is to keep anything that could carry disease or pollution away from the water. Its dog brochure explains the reasoning: even when owners pick up, dog waste leaves bacteria, parasites and nutrients behind, and rain washes them into streams that feed the reservoir.

Dogs

Dogs and other domestic animals are not allowed in Quabbin Park, at any gate, at the boat launch areas or at Quabbin Park Cemetery. Dogs are not allowed in parked cars there either. Service animals used by people with disabilities are allowed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. DCR keeps a list of dog-friendly alternatives on mass.gov.

Swimming, Wading and the Ice

No swimming or wading anywhere in the reservoir. The only exception is wading in boots to launch or pull out a boat at a boat launch area, and wading in waders while fly fishing below the Winsor Dam power station or in the open tributaries. Stay off the ice: walking on the frozen reservoir or regulating ponds is prohibited.

Camping, Fires and Picnics

Camping is not allowed on DCR's water supply land, and neither are fires of any kind, grills or camp stoves. Picnics are fine at Quabbin Park's picnic areas with food that needs no cooking. For camping, DCR points to Massachusetts state parks (ReserveAmerica, 877-422-6762) and private campgrounds (the Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners, 508-394-3201).

Boating

• Boats only for fishing, with tackle aboard, launched only from the three boat launch areas in season (boat rentals).
• No private canoes or kayaks; private motorboats need an intact Quabbin Boat Seal.
• No pontoon boats, inflatables or sailboats; no landing on shore or islands except at the marked restroom sites (10 minutes) or in an emergency.
• No alcohol or cannabis on boats. Keep 500 feet from loons.

Bikes, Snowmobiles and Vehicles

Bikes only on designated roads through certain gates and in Quabbin Park (gates and biking). Snowmobiles only on designated routes on DCR's off-reservation land. Cars stay on Quabbin Park's roads during posted hours and may not cross Winsor Dam or Goodnough Dike. Don't park in front of gates.

Other Activities

• Foraging: blueberries, mushrooms and other edible plants for personal use only, picked without damage.
• Groups: under 25 people and 10 cars need no permit; 25 to 100 people, 10 to 40 cars or a bus need a group permit. Weddings and memorials are limited to 75 people.
• Geocaching, letterboxing and similar: only after review by the Quabbin Visitor Center.
• Commercial activities, organized sports and fishing derbies: only with written DCR permission.
• Prohibited: metal detecting, target shooting, advertising, marking or cutting trails, removing historic artifacts or natural materials.
• Hunting: only in DCR's managed deer hunts, by permit.

Restricted Areas

Prescott Peninsula, posted administration areas, the reservoir islands and the baffle dams are off-limits to walkers. Gate 30's parking area is closed. See history for why Prescott Peninsula is closed.

Penalties and Reporting

DCR says violations of its watershed regulations are punishable by fines of up to $50,000 or up to a year in prison, and anglers can lose their Quabbin fishing privileges. Report violations or anything suspicious to the Quabbin Watershed Rangers at (617) 828-2452 or the State Police Quabbin barracks at (413) 323-7561. In an emergency, call 911. General questions: (413) 323-7221.