Westville Dam and Lake Day Trip

Welcome to Westville Dam/Lake in Southbridge and Sturbridge, MA

Built in the early 1960s, Westville Dam is located on the Quinebaug River about one mile from the Southbridge, Massachusetts town center. The dam sits between Southbridge and Sturbridge, MA and offers a great two-mile trail that suitable for all folks (strollers are fine). The trail loops around the dam and Westville Lake with shaded and tranquil views. It’s easy for a leisurely walk or run as the trail is on gravel and generally flat and wide.

Westville Dam location | How to follow the hiking trail at Westville Dam

Tip: The trail can be accessed from multiple parking lots. If you start your walk or run at the dam parking site on Majorie Lane, you see the view above.

How to get to Westville Dam/Lake (Southbridge; Sturbridge, MA)

From the Massachusetts Turnpike - heading either east or west - take exit 9 for Interstate 84 to Hartford CT/New York City. Continue on I-84 taking exit 2 for MA 131 toward Southbridge/Sturbridge, MA). Immediately turn onto River Road, then take a left onto Mashapaug Road, which becomes South Street. Continue on South St. and turn left onto Westwood Parkway and after a couple blocks distance, turn right and then left onto Majorie Lane. Simply follow Majorie Ln. until you see the dam entrance and park. 

What to see at Westville Dam

Start your trip by walking over the small footbridge to view both sides of the dam, There is a narrow, somewhat steep path that takes you down to the base of the 78-foot Dam overlooking Westville Lake.

There are many places on the trail you can pause for serene nature views and snap landscape pics.

After walking over the dam, the trail continues around Westville Lake through mostly shaded forest and eventually you arrive at the recreation area and parking lot on Wallace road in Sturbridge, MA (the address is 125 Wallace Road). This recreation area is also where we found a port-a-potty. 

To continue on the Westville Dam hiking trail, walk out of the recreation area parking lot over the small bridge and veering onto Off Street. Then take a sharp left (still on Off St.) once you reach the other side and look for an entrance gate down towards the lake. Take this entrance to get back to the dam parking site.

This side of the lake has a couple areas of slight elevation and a few stretches that are unshaded. As you make your way back to the dam parking site, you’ll get views of the lake and, in the summer, wildflowers like daisies.

Tip: On this part of the trail, there is a bench you can stop at to rest and take in the scenery. 

Tip: The recreation area, which is adjacent to the parking lot at Wallace Road, is a great place to walk your dog, bring your family for an outdoor gathering or simply hang out on a blanket and chill with nature. In the summer, bring plenty of water and wear a hat because there is limited shade unless you go to the picnic area, which is a brief walk from the parking lot.