Quabbin Reservoir--Enfield Lookout

Birds of Interest

This is an ideal location for bird watching, especially in the winter when there is a great chance of seeing a bald eagle soaring over the water.

About this Location

Enfield Lookout offers a panoramic view of the reservoir and the surrounding hills, forests, and fields. The lookout is accessible by a short hike from the parking lot and has a wooden platform with benches and interpretive signs. The lookout is named after the town of Enfield, one of the four towns that were flooded and disincorporated to make way for the reservoir in the 1930s. The lookout is a popular destination for photographers, birdwatchers, and hikers.

About Quabbin Reservoir

See all hotspots at Quabbin Reservoir

The Quabbin Reservoir is a remarkable engineering feat that provides water to millions of people in Massachusetts. It was constructed in the 1930s by damming the Swift River and flooding four towns in the process. The reservoir covers an area of 39 square miles and has a capacity of 412 billion gallons. The Quabbin Reservoir is a popular destination for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The reservoir is surrounded by a protected forest that hosts a variety of plants and animals, some of which are rare or endangered. 

Quabbin Reservoir is one of the largest unfiltered water supplies in the United States. Along with the Wachusett Reservoir and Ware River, it is the source of high-quality water for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority water supply system. Recreational activities are regulated and limited to protect 3 million people’s drinking water.

Features

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Roadside viewing

  • Restrooms on site

  • Entrance fee

Content from Quabbin Reservoir Official Website

Last updated December 1, 2023

Quabbin Reservoir showing county lines