Lake Quannapowitt

Lake Quannapowitt, in Wakefield, is best known for the paved loop of about 3.6 miles around it, used by walkers and runners. The town lists sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and pedal boats through the Quannapowitt Yacht Club and Wakefield Community Boating, and the lakeside hosts town events from a farmers market to movies. It is not a DCR park, and the town's page does not name a managing agency; for a DCR forest and swimming beach in the same town, Breakheart Reservation's Wakefield entrance is at 100 Hemlock Road.

The Loop

The Town of Wakefield describes the area around Lake Quannapowitt as a popular walking, running and recreational destination, with a paved loop of approximately 3.6 miles around the lake. At 3.6 miles it is a little longer than a 5K, and longer than either of Breakheart's paved loops (2 and 3 miles).

Boating

The town lists sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and pedal boats as available through two local organizations:

• Quannapowitt Yacht Club
• Wakefield Community Boating

Check each for rentals, lessons and seasons. If you paddle, Massachusetts life jacket rules apply: DCR notes that boaters 12 and under, and canoeists and kayakers from September 15 to May 15, must wear one.

Events by the Lake

The Town of Wakefield says many groups hold charity walks and fundraisers around the lake, and that using the public space requires an application, fees and rules for lakeside events. Groups and events the town names as calling the lake home:

• The Wakefield Farmers Market.
• The WCNA's Festival By the Lake.
• The Friends of Lake Quannapowitt.
• Wakefield Community Access TV's Movies by the Lake.

The Name

The town points visitors to the Beebe Library's online wiki for the history of the lake and its namesake, James Quannapowitt.

Getting There

The Town of Wakefield describes itself as 10 miles north of Boston at the meeting of Interstate 93 and Interstate 95/Route 128, and reachable by MBTA commuter rail from Boston. The town's page does not describe parking at the lake; follow posted signs.

Lake Quannapowitt and Breakheart

They complement each other:

• Lake Quannapowitt: a paved 3.6-mile loop around the lake, boating through clubs, town events. Town events by application.
• Breakheart Reservation: over 600 acres of DCR forest with two smaller lakes, a lifeguarded swimming beach at Pearce Lake in summer, paved car-free loops of 2 and 3 miles, rocky hill trails and a fenced off-leash dog area. Free parking at both entrances.

From Wakefield, use Breakheart's Wakefield entrance at 100 Hemlock Road, the lot DCR calls closest to the Pearce Lake beach. See parking.

Swimming

The Town of Wakefield's description of the lake does not mention swimming. For a supervised swim nearby, DCR's beach at Pearce Lake in Breakheart had lifeguards daily from June 13 to September 7 in 2026.

More Nearby

See things to do in Saugus, Lynn Woods and the Northern Strand Trail.