Ames Nowell State Park / Cleveland Pond in Massachusetts

Trip Overview

On Google Maps it looks like Ames Nowell has a nice pond. The website mentions a boat launch area. Upon arriving we realized that the boat launch is no longer open to vehicles and the walk from the parking lot is likely 80 to 100 yards.

The area to launch from is very small. There is a small, partially submerged dock that has obviously seen better days. The entry point is a gently sloped rocky hill.

The water itself has completely been taken over by weeds and lilypads. As soon as we launched I knew I was going to hate this pond. The paddles kept catching in the weeds and at one point my paddle leash got tangled up. It took 15 minutes to untangle it. As soon as I had it undone I headed straight for the launch site to get out of there.

It's safe to say that the pond is no longer a pond and quickly becoming closer to a marsh. I would scratch this park off your list of kayaking possibilities.

If its possible to put a huge red flag on a site this would be the one.

Accommodations:

Free parking. Bathrooms were locked. No other facilities.

Fees:

None

Directions:

Rte 18 South to Rte 123 West and then follow signs.

Resources:

www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/ames.htm