Sand Spring

Berkshire County, Massachusetts · Near Williamstown
42.7350°N, 73.2000°W · 670 ft
75°F 48°F air · Good soaking weather 670 ft Roadside Camping nearby (24.8 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Sand Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Sand Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Sand Spring is a warm spring in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County, and the town is right on top of it. The water is tepid, well short of bath temperature, and low in dissolved minerals. The USGS sampled it back in 1969. Whether the public can visit is not on record.

Location

McLain Court runs about a hundred feet from the spring, so this is as roadside as it gets, inside a town. Low elevation. The Berkshires are wet, with roughly four feet of rainfall annually, and winters bury the ground in snow for months. Nothing in our record names a land owner.

The file calls midwinter the best time. Nothing says who holds the land, and visiting rights are unrecorded, so since it sits beside a town street, treat it as private unless you learn otherwise. Grout Pond is the only campground in the file, about twenty-five miles away. At this temperature nobody soaks for warmth.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Sand Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the northeast.
Highest ground nearby
197 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
67 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 3% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
24°
Jan
26°
Feb
33°
Mar
45°
Apr
58°
May
66°
Jun
73°
Jul
70°
Aug
64°
Sep
52°
Oct
39°
Nov
31°
Dec
Annual Precip: 47.5 in Annual Snow: 63.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 24°F · Water 75°F · +51° contrast
February Air 26°F · Water 75°F · +49° contrast
December Air 31°F · Water 75°F · +44° contrast
January offers 48°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
48°F
Clear N 0.0 mph Good soaking weather
Today 70° Low 49° Sunny
Spring is +5° warmer
Wednesday 77° Low 58° Partly Sunny 4% precip
Thursday 77° Low 59° Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers 42% precip
Friday 73° Low 44° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny 22% precip
Spring is +2° warmer
Saturday 69° Low 50° Mostly Sunny 7% precip
Spring is +6° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1969-08-12

The water at Sand Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.1) with 114 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 8.1 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 25 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 9 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 2 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 8 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 1 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Grout Pond Campground 24.8 mi away

Overview Grout Pond is a popular destination for camping, hiking, paddling, and fishing. Located in a beautiful mixed conifer and hardwood forest, the campground has 12 reservable sites and offers easy access to over 10 miles of mulituse trails. The Green Mountain National Forest in partnership with the Vermont Huts Association has a cabin located at the Grout Pond Campground available for reservations. The Grout Pond Hut (pictured above) is open for year-round use and is located within the s...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
75°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 75°F (24°C)
Avg Air Temp 48°F
Above Ambient +27°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road McLain Court
Distance to Road 100 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Sand Spring?
Sand Spring has a water temperature of 75°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Sand Spring located?
Sand Spring is located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts at 670 feet elevation, near Williamstown. Coordinates: 42.7350°N, 73.2000°W.
How do I get to Sand Spring?
Sand Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being McLain Court (100 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Sand Spring?
Yes, Grout Pond Campground is located nearby (24.8 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Sand Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.1 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 114 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS