Ponkapoag Camp of Appalachian Mountain Club

Ponkapoag Camp sits on the northeastern shore of Ponkapoag Pond within the Blue Hills Reservation and contains rustic cabins and tent platforms scattered across wooded terrain. The facility spans a large area where water access, forest cover, and open grounds define the layout.

The camp was founded in 1921 as an outdoor retreat and began with basic structures that grew into a larger facility. It developed as an important hub for introducing city dwellers to nature during the early recreational camping movement.

Members of the Appalachian Mountain Club have gathered here for generations, creating a culture of outdoor community and shared adventure on the water and forest trails. The physical layout of cabins and gathering spaces reflects this focus on people coming together in nature.

Access to the camp is by car using established roads; parking is available on the grounds. Visitors should come prepared for different seasons, as activities range from swimming in summer to ice skating in winter on the pond.

In its early decades, visitors had to transport equipment across the pond by rowboat before roads were built to the site, underscoring its remote character. This practical challenge became part of the camp's identity for those willing to undertake the effort to reach it.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: January 1, 1920

Operator: Appalachian Mountain Club

Website: https://ponkapoagcamp.org

GPS coordinates: 42.19311,-71.08657

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:22