Crystal Spring, Marstons Mills, MA

## Overview Crystal Spring is a natural spring tucked into the woods of Marstons Mills, a village within the town of Barnstable on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Named for the large quartz crystal that marks the entrance to the woodland path leading to it, this spring has served as a local drinking water source for area residents who seek out natural, unprocessed water. The spring is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it accessible whenever you need to fill up. Marstons Mills sits within Barnstable County, a region shaped by glacial activity during the last Ice Age. Cape Cod's sandy, glacially deposited soils act as a natural filtration system, and the area's sole-source aquifer — one of the purest in the northeastern United States — feeds many of the local springs and ponds. Crystal Spring likely draws from this same aquifer system, though water temperature and pH have not yet been formally measured or reported. As always with wild springs, the water has not been officially tested or certified as safe for consumption. ## Directions 1. From Route 6 (Mid-Cape Highway), take **Exit 5** and head **north**. 2. Drive past the bamboo grove — a distinctive local landmark — and look for **Willow Street** on your **right**. 3. Turn onto Willow Street and continue for approximately **one mile**. 4. Watch for the entrance to a woodland path on the side of the road. A **large quartz crystal** marks the start of the trail — this is your landmark. 5. There is enough room to pull your vehicle off the road near the trailhead. No formal parking lot exists, so park carefully on the shoulder. *Note: The nearest mailing address is listed as Harbor Street in Sandwich, but the spring is accessed via Willow Street in Marstons Mills. Use the Willow Street approach described above.* ## What to Expect From the roadside pulloff on Willow Street, you'll enter a wooded path marked by a prominent quartz crystal at its start. The trail leads through typical Cape Cod woodland — pitch pine, scrub oak, and sandy soil — before arriving at the spring itself. The path is informal and unpaved, so sturdy footwear is recommended, especially after rain. The spring area is natural and undeveloped. There are no restrooms, signage, or formal facilities. Bring your own containers if you plan to collect water. Since the spring is open around the clock and free to visit, it can be a peaceful stop at any time of day. The surrounding woods offer a quiet, secluded atmosphere that feels far removed from the busier tourist areas of Cape Cod. No formal water quality data (temperature, pH, mineral content) has been reported for Crystal Spring at this time. Visitors have used it as a drinking water source, but the water has not been officially tested — use your own discretion.