Lake Mansfield Boat Launch
Lake Mansfield Road, Great Barrington, MA

Managed by

Town of Great Barrington

Allowed Uses & Features

Information

  • Free
  • Parking
  • Water Access
  • Water Views
View of Lake Mansfield from the Boat Ramp.

View of Lake Mansfield from the Boat Ramp.

Designated parking for the boat ramp, off Knob Hill Road.

Designated parking for the boat ramp, off Knob Hill Road.

  • Public Land
  • Private Land
  • Bus Route
  • Trail
  • Major Trail

About Lake Mansfield Boat Launch

The Lake Mansfield Boat Launch is a large concrete ramp for paddling and motorized boating. The mile-long trip around the lake is a well-loved loop for locals who frequently use the lake for kayaking and canoeing. Anglers enjoy heading to the middle of the lake, where they often find success reeling in bass, pickerel, perch, and trout. Like most lakes in the Berkshires, Lake Mansfield typically freezes over in the winter, and the boat launch serves as the most common spot for skaters to enter the lake for a fun ice skating day. Kids are often spotted playing ice hockey on the lake near the boat launch, while ice fishing is popular further down the lake. In the summer, the northern end of Lake Mansfield is open for swimming and contains an expansive park. An enjoyable, family-friendly setup would be to place a picnic blanket at Lake Mansfield Park, head to the Boat Launch, and then paddle back toward the park, where the family can switch between paddling, swimming, and relaxing in the park. Lake Mansfield Road connects the boat launch with the park, and in the fall, it is a spectacular place to walk as Western Massachusetts shines with fall foliage.

Swimmers are advised not to enter the water at the boat launch, although cross-lake swimming is permitted. The lake reaches a maximum depth of just 17 feet with an average depth of 7 feet, and vegetation is prevalent almost everywhere. Past the Boat Launch, please note that Lake Mansfield Road is a one-way, so returning to the Boat Launch from the lake's public park requires a trip through downtown.

Address

Lake Mansfield Road, Great Barrington, MA

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Accessibility Assessment

Features
  • Accessible Parking
  • Accessible Water Access

The boat ramp at Lake Mansfield is 8 feet long, with maximum slopes of 8%. Parking for the boat ramp is in a small, paved lot at the intersection of Knob Hill Road and Lake Mansfield Road, holding room for at least six cars. There is one van accessible parking space separated from the rest of the parking, just feet away from the boat launch. Additionally, a bench overlooks the lake right next to the boat ramp.  

Lake Mansfield Boat Ramp.

Lake Mansfield Boat Ramp.

Accessible parking space at the Lake Mansfield Boat Ramp.

Accessible parking space at the Lake Mansfield Boat Ramp.

Clubs, Retail & Rentals

Looking to meet up with others for team sports or group activities? Check out our list of clubs, guides and leagues in the Berkshires on the Resources page. Our list of summer camps will help you plan an overnight or day camp adventure for your young ones.

We also link to an array of outdoor recreation retail shops for gear and rental facilities for equipment on the Gear page.

Resources Gear