William Minot Forest
Take an adventure through hilly pine and oak woods at William Minot Forest, a town-owned property in Wareham that’s been protected since the 1950s. Located next to Minot Forest Elementary School and several residential neighborhoods, William Minot Forest is a convenient destination for local residents who want to get outside and explore.
Features
Kids will love searching William Minot Forest for signs of wildlife and diverse nature.
A walk through William Minot Forest takes you on a journey through Wareham’s glacial past. The sandy soil was left behind by retreating glaciers, which also carved the rolling hills in this pine forest.
One of the nice things about William Minot Forest is that it’s so close to several residential neighborhoods in Wareham. If you live nearby, head here to walk your dog, run the trails, or ride a mountain bike through the woods. It’s also next to Minot Forest Elementary School, so it’s perfect for a post-school day walk with your kids.
Trails
William Minot Forest is home to a maze of several miles of nature trails. We suggest starting at the Minot Forest Elementary School trailhead, where there’s parking and easy access to the trail. (Download trail map)
Starting on the trail, follow a narrow path to the left. This will lead you southwest toward a four-way junction at the bottom of the hill. At the junction, you can turn right to circle back to the trailhead – a perfect short loop for beginner hikers.
To keep exploring, take the left trail to follow a longer loop through the glacial erratic-stuffed forest. Here you’ll find views of a pond and wetlands. These trails eventually lead toward Indian Neck Road and the local neighborhood.
The trails continue on the other side of Indian Neck Road, where you can keep exploring the forest or walk to the shores of the Wareham River at Tempest Knob.
Habitats & Wildlife
William Minot Forest shelters many small animals in its 200 acres. Look for songbirds among the trees and waterfowl on ponds. If you’re careful and quiet, you might spot reptiles and amphibians like frogs, toads, and salamanders in damp spots near wetlands. In the spring, these amphibians lay their eggs in the forest’s vernal pool.
Animals aren’t the only wildlife that abound at William Minot Forest. Wintergreen-scented teaberry leaves growing in the understory are always popular. In late summer, search for blueberries throughout the forest.
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