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Beaches

Sampsons Pond

40 Lakeview St, Carver, MA 02330, USA

Town of Carver: (508) 866-3400

https://www.carverma.gov/board-health/pages/town-beaches

Owned By: Town of Carver

Sampsons Pond in South Carver is a large pond suitable for fishing, paddling and swimming. The property features a paved town access ramp and a sandy beach, at separate locations on Lakeview Street. Boaters: be aware of the numerous potentially hazardous boulders in the shallow areas of the pond.

It’s important to know that some of our freshwater fisheries are contaminated with mercury, PFAS and/or other concerning substances. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health maintains an online database with up-to-date advisories regarding fish consumption, sorted by location. We recommend you consult this valuable resource when planning a fishing excursion.

Features

According to the Carver Re-development Authority, in its early days, the town of Carver was known for the iron ore in its swamplands. There was an iron works at, or near, today’s Sampsons Pond.

This land is within the region of the Pokanoket Wampanoag tribe. According to the Town of Carver website, a trail used by the Pokanokets “ran along the southeast side of Sampson’s Pond, where the historic Ridge Road is located. Archeological artifacts show that the shore of Sampson’s Pond was used as a campground for thousands of years.”

To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mashpee Wampanoag and the Herring Pond Wampanoag share information on their websites.

Trail Description

A short paved walkway leads from the parking area to the waterfront.

Habitats and Wildlife

This warm water pond has an average depth of 8 feet (16′ maximum). Mass Wildlife surveys indicate the presence of the following fish species: largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, white perch, bluegill, golden shiner, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, banded killifish, and American eel.

According to Mass Wildlife, this is a natural pond that was enlarged after the construction of a dam for an iron foundry. It is fed by Tillson Brook, as well as drainage from cranberry bogs. It is surrounded by pine, oak, and pitch pine trees.

Sampsons Brook (also known as Indian Brook ) flows from the southern end of Sampsons Pond, joining with Crane Brook. Crane Brook continues south and eventually flows into the Weweantic River, which flows through Wareham and empties into the Buzzards Bay estuary.

  • A photograph of a property entrance, with signs, and a pond in the background.
  • A photograph of a large pond, with a few trees to one side.
  • A photograph of a paved access trail, between two boulders.
  • A photograph of a stream exiting a pond, with wooden structures.
  • A photograph of a parking area surrounded by trees, with a trash barrel.
  • A photograph of a large pond, its surface reflecting a cloudy blue sky.
  • A photograph of a stream through a wetland.
  • A photograph of a beach beside a pond, with a sandcastle in the foreground.
  • A photograph of a pond with some trees and shrubs growing to one side.
  • A photograph of a picnic area beside a pond, with a row of trees in the background.
40 Lakeview St, Carver, MA 02330, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: No

Beach: Yes

Boat Launch: Yes

Lifeguards: No

Size: 310 acres

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: On-site parking in 2 locations on Lakeview Street. Parking requires an up-to-date Carver town sticker ($10 for residents; $60 for non-residents).

Cost: A town sticker is required for parking.

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Facilities:

Trash receptacles, picnic tables.

Dogs: No

Boat Ramp: Yes

ADA Access: Yes

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Sampsons Brook (Weweantic River)

Other Things to Do at This Site

Boating
Fishing
Nature Photography
Paddling
Picnic Tables