Location: Hawksnest and Nathan Walker Roads
Size: 29.55 acres
Depth: 21 feet
Public Access: Two locations: Swimming Hole is off Spruce Road; Boat Launch is off Nathan Walker Road; Parking also at Round Cove Road
Recreation Activities: Swimming, Fishing, Kayaking, Hiking
History: A pristine kettle pond located in the middle of Hawksnest State Park, Hawksnest Pond is a Massachusetts Great Pond and part of the Six Ponds Resource Management Initiative. The Thompson and Bell families settled around Hawksnest Pond in the late 1800s when it was known for duck hunting and fishing. Both families donated their lands to the state as park lands to protect the natural integrity of the ponds. A plan to develop more than 500 campsites was never implemented. Hawksnest is now an environmentally sensitive area that includes wetlands, coastal plain pond shores, and rare plants and wildlife (harwichconservationtrust.org/protecting-a-hidden-gem-six-ponds-resource-management-initiative/). Hawksnest Pond is deep and has few pond lilies or other aquatic plants except for in the cove, which looks like the beak of a hawk, which gave the pond its name. The bottom is sandy except for the cove. Trails allow for walking around the pond. Rare Plymouth Gentian grows on the isthmus between Hawksnest and Black Ponds. The area is home to eight state-listed endangered species.
Boundary of Six Ponds Resource Management Initiative
From Harwich Conservation Trust: https://harwichconservationtrust.org/protecting-a-hidden-gem-six-ponds-resource-management-initiative/
We welcome your input on this Pond Profile. If you have questions or comments, please contact us at info@harwichwaters.org.