Buffumville Lake (Group Shelters)
In 1958 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Buffumville Dam in Charlton, Massachusetts to provide flood risk management for downstream communities. Flood waters due to large amounts of rainfall or spring snow melts are stored on 480 acres of land. The lake is also managed for recreation and environmental stewardship. Buffumville offers year-round recreation and park rangers are available to assist you during your visit.
Buffumville Lake Park is open daily from 8am-8pm, from the 3rd Saturday in May through the 2nd Sunday in September. The park is a day use fee area containing over 50 picnic sites with tables and grills. The fee to enter the park is $5.00 per car, $2.00 walk-in, $20.00 commercial vehicles. Annual park passes are available upon request. The Corps maintains a swimming area with a 300 foot long sandy beach and pirate ship play spot. This area also includes two picnic shelters that may be reserved for a fee, a life jacket loaner station, reservable horseshoe pit and volleyball court, and modern handicap accessible restrooms. America the Beautiful Federal Passes are sold at the ranger station. Please call 508-248-5697 to schedule an appointment.
Need to Know
Day use fee area: $5.00 per car load, $20.00 for commercial vehicles. Cash, check, and all major credit cards accepted.
Alcohol not permitted in park.
Drones not permitted in park or on federal lands.
Vehicles are prohibited beyond the upper parking lot without special drive down permit or handicap permit.
- Please do not use any kind of tape anywhere on the shelters.
Anything that might change the atmosphere of the park requires approval from park staff; examples include music/bands, weddings/receptions, cooking arrangements, etc
- Pets are not permitted on the swim beach and must be on a leash 6 feet in length or less
No lifeguard on duty
Natural Features
The property at Buffumville is comprised of a diverse array of natural plant and wildlife habitats. The scenic 200-acre lake is surrounded by mixed forests of white pine, hemlock, red maple, alder and birch trees. Fall colors are spectacular in the region. Wildlife enthusiasts may spot fox, fishers, woodchucks, coyotes, hawks, and a wide variety of songbirds and migratory waterfowl. Game fish species include largemout bass, bluegill, northern pike, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, chain pickerel, brown bullhead, and black crappie. Hunting is not permitted in developed areas of the park and dam site. All federal, state and local laws apply.
Nearby Attractions
Hodges Village Dam, West Thompson Lake Campground
Recreation
Buffumville Lake provides excellent boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking and swimming opportunities. Hikers and bikers enjoy exploring the 7.2-mile Lake Shore Trail, which begins at the beach and circles the lake. Scenic and wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful along the trail. The Buffumville Lake Disc Golf Course has an 18 hole professional layout and a 12 hole amateur layout that wind through the scenic project lands. The hilly terrain contains a mixture of open fairways, woods and water hazards. A concrete boat launch and courtesy dock allows boat access to the lake. Both sides of the lake are accessible by a twelve foot wide culvert under Oxford Road and there are no motor horsepower restrictions on the lake. Two barrier free fishing platforms are located within the boat launch area. Dogs are allowed in project recreation areas and shall be on a leash under six feet in length. Park rangers provide special interpretive programs on the cultural and natural environment, water resources, water safety, dam tours and flood risk management. Special use permits are available upon request for various lake events.
Changes & Cancellations
Fees are non-refundable. Refunds will only be authorized if shelter is in unusable condition during reservation date.
Contact Information
Default
48 Old Oxford Rd Charlton MA 01507
Physical
229 Oxford Rd. Charlton MA 01507
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 508-248-5697
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From the Massachusetts Turnpike, take the Sturbridge exit and follow Route 20 to Charlton. Turn right on Route 31 and follow the brown signs to the park. From I-290, take exit 4B to Oxford Center and follow brown signs to park
Available Campsites
- Site 001, Loop BUFFUMVILLE LAKE , Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 002, Loop BUFFUMVILLE LAKE , Type Group Picnic Area
