LaPalme Farm
With nearly 50 acres of meadows and forests, LaPalme Farm celebrates Acushnet’s natural beauty and pastoral charm. Hikers can explore more than a mile of trails on a journey through the Acushnet River Reserve. Best of all, this Buzzards Bay Coalition-owned property is conveniently located just minutes from the center of Acushnet and New Bedford’s North End.
Features
If you’re looking for a scenic, rustic spot for a hike, LaPalme Farm will fit the bill. It’s located minutes from bustling neighborhoods in Acushnet, Fairhaven, and New Bedford – yet it feels like a world away. Discover fields that bloom with wildflowers in summer and peaceful woods that lead you to the gentle Acushnet River. Bring your dog for a walk on the trails, or cast a line into the river to catch redfin pickerel and yellow perch.
LaPalme Farm was once a dairy farm operated by the neighboring convent. Today, it’s part of the growing Acushnet River Reserve, which also includes The Sawmill. These places protect clean water and preserve important habitats for future generations.
There’s more to explore under the leaves at LaPalme Farm. Bring a magnifying glass and search for insects, snakes, and animal tracks on the ground.
Trails
You’ll find more than a mile of trails through LaPalme Farm. When you start at the trailhead at the end of Blain Street, please stay on the marked trail through a public access easement that runs across the adjacent private property. (Download trail map)
Once you reach the property boundary, you’ll find a large field with a wide path cutting through it. This path leads into the forest and toward the Acushnet River.
At the first trail juncture, turn left to explore a short loop trail that offers views of forested wetlands and a neighboring private cranberry bog. Or, keep right to stay on the main trail. After about a 15-minute walk through a mixed forest of pine, beech, and oak, you’ll arrive at the river. Enjoy the quiet scene of woods, water, and wildlife.
Habitats & Wildlife
With its many different habitats, LaPalme Farm is a haven for fish and wildlife of all types. Deer, foxes, rabbits, and coyotes wander through the fields and forests in search of food. On the Acushnet River, waterfowl visit in winter; under its waters, migratory fish like river herring and American eels swim. Up in the trees, look for songbirds throughout the year. There have even been reports of a great horned owl here!
The Buzzards Bay Coalition is a membership-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration, protection, and sustainable use and enjoyment of our irreplaceable Bay and its watershed.
Download Property Map