With deep forests, rocky coasts, and rich salt marshes, Buzzards Bay is a haven for wildlife of all types. Migratory birds flock to our shores along the Atlantic Flyway, while frogs and salamanders thrive in the vernal pools that pop up in our woods each spring. So grab a pair of binoculars and visit one of these places to seek out our region’s special birds and wildlife.
Discover woods, wetlands, and wildlife on the easy loop trail at Rounseville II Preserve in Rochester.
Size: 48.3 acres
Parking: Large gravel parking area by ball fields
Facilities: None
Parking: Large gravel parking area by ball fields
Facilities: None
Located on a quiet bend of the Slocums River in Dartmouth, Russells Mills Landing is a fantastic places for paddlers.
Size: 1.5 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch, Picnic Tables, Playground
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch, Picnic Tables, Playground
Cast your line out for a bass or take a relaxing paddle in the calm, clear waters of this Carver pond with lovely shoreline views.
Parking: Small unpaved parking lot next to the boat ramp
With spectacular open-water views, the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail is the best route to tour New Bedford's scenic South End.
Size: 3.5 miles
Parking: Large paved parking lots at Hazelwood Park, Fort Taber Park, and East Beach; small paved parking area at New Bedford Harbor Walk; street parking along East Rodney French Boulevard and West Rodney French Boulevard
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash
Parking: Large paved parking lots at Hazelwood Park, Fort Taber Park, and East Beach; small paved parking area at New Bedford Harbor Walk; street parking along East Rodney French Boulevard and West Rodney French Boulevard
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash
Feel immersed in deep pine woodlands at this town-owned picnic area and trail in Carver.
Size: 33 acres
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas (space for 3-4 cars) along Savery Avenue
Facilities: Trash, Picnic Tables
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas (space for 3-4 cars) along Savery Avenue
Facilities: Trash, Picnic Tables
The beach and boat ramp at Seaview Avenue in Fairhaven grant explorers access to Nasketucket Bay.
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Launch
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Launch
Traverse hilly woodlands with lovely water views at Shallow Pond Woodlands in Falmouth.
Size: 70 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot on Thomas Landers Rd.
Facilities: None
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot on Thomas Landers Rd.
Facilities: None
Stretching for nearly a mile, Shaw Farm Trail offers hikers a place to explore Nasketucket Bay’s coastal farms and forests.
Size: 0.9 miles
Parking: Street parking on Shaw Road in Fairhaven; Large unpaved parking area at Nasketucket Bay State Reservation
Facilities: None
Parking: Street parking on Shaw Road in Fairhaven; Large unpaved parking area at Nasketucket Bay State Reservation
Facilities: None
With sandy shores and a grassy park, Shell Point Beach is a perfect destination to explore Wareham’s coastal scenery.
Size: 1.6 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot; fee to park May 1 to October 1
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking lot; fee to park May 1 to October 1
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
Take a journey of discovery down the Shining Sea Bikeway, a 10.7-mile paved bike path through Falmouth.
Size: 10.7 miles
Parking: Gravel parking areas on County Road, Old Dock Road, Depot Avenue, Woods Hole Road, and Oyster Pond Road
Facilities: Restrooms (portable), Picnic Tables, Trash
Parking: Gravel parking areas on County Road, Old Dock Road, Depot Avenue, Woods Hole Road, and Oyster Pond Road
Facilities: Restrooms (portable), Picnic Tables, Trash
Swimming, paddling, quahogging, crabbing – Shining Tides Beach truly offers it all for Mattapoisett residents.
Size: 4 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area; parking pass required in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Picnic Table
Parking: Small unpaved parking area; parking pass required in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Picnic Table
Shipyard Farm in Fairhaven packs a scenic punch in its short trail across farmland to serene Nasketucket Bay.
Size: 53 acres
Parking: Small roadside parking area near entrance sign
Facilities: None
Parking: Small roadside parking area near entrance sign
Facilities: None
This farm and forest along the Mattapoisett River in Rochester was preserved for birds — and explorers like you!
Size: 79.74
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Picnic table
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Picnic table
With pretty views and peaceful waters, Silvershell Beach is a favorite summer spot for families in Marion.
Size: 2 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; Marion or Rochester resident privilege sticker required to park at all times
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Playground
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; Marion or Rochester resident privilege sticker required to park at all times
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Playground
Known for its educational signs, this Little Compton reserve is popular among hunters, hikers, paddlers, and curious young explorers.
Size: 433 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area on Coldbrook Road; small unpaved parking area on John Dyer Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area on Coldbrook Road; small unpaved parking area on John Dyer Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Soak up the spectacular natural beauty of the Slocums River at the Slocum’s River Reserve in South Dartmouth.
Size: 47 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Smith Farm offers a peek at Dartmouth's coastal habitats, from forested swamps and ponds to scenic salt marshes.
Size: 140 acres
Parking: Small dirt roadside parking area on Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small dirt roadside parking area on Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
Swim, soak up the sun, cast out a fishing line, or take a long walk along the rock-scattered shore at this Little Compton beach.
Size: 9.6 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Kayak launch (shoreline), RV camping with town permit
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Kayak launch (shoreline), RV camping with town permit
Peaceful, scenic Squeteague Harbor Beach is tucked into a quiet corner of Cataumet in Bourne.
Parking: Limited parking along beachway off Squeteague Harbor Road
Facilities: Trash
Facilities: Trash
Star of the Sea Reserve shines as a quiet place to explore forests and wetlands on Apponagansett Bay in Dartmouth.
Size: 43.75 acres
Parking: Roadside parking by trailhead (marked with boulders)
Facilities: None
Parking: Roadside parking by trailhead (marked with boulders)
Facilities: None