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.
This engaging nature trail in Fairhaven is a welcoming spot for the whole community to discover nature's classroom.
Size: 13 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot at school
Facilities: Picnic Table
Parking: Large paved parking lot at school
Facilities: Picnic Table
With fields, stone walls, and golden yellow barns, East Over Reservation is a reminder of Rochester’s rural character.
Size: 75 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: None
These two tracts are part of a network of local conservation areas in Marion and Rochester that you can explore.
Size: 322 acres
Parking: Medium-sized parking area along County Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized parking area along County Road
Facilities: None
Explore picturesque marshes by kayak or spend the afternoon digging for clams on the edge of Little Bay in Fairhaven.
Parking: Space at the end of Edgewater Street
Facilities: None
Facilities: None
This popular birdwatching hotspot in Fairhaven offers sweeping salt marsh views from atop the stone dike.
Size: 3 acres
Parking: Street parking available on side roads along the Phoenix Bike Trail
Facilities: None
Parking: Street parking available on side roads along the Phoenix Bike Trail
Facilities: None
Come down to Electric Avenue to discover an intimate beach and boat ramp a stone’s throw from the Cape Cod Canal.
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier/Dock (wood/floating), Bicycle Rack, Trash, Picnic Table, Playground
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier/Dock (wood/floating), Bicycle Rack, Trash, Picnic Table, Playground
This small Westport landing is a great place launch a kayak or go quahogging, surrounded by the unique habitat of the lower Westport River.
Size: 0.18 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area bordered with stones (space for 2-3 cars); resident beach sticker required year-round
Facilities: Kayak Launch (shoreline)
Parking: Small unpaved parking area bordered with stones (space for 2-3 cars); resident beach sticker required year-round
Facilities: Kayak Launch (shoreline)
Canoe or kayak upstream from Fearing Hill Swamp in Wareham to explore the Weweantic River's protected wooded shores.
Size: 0.2 acres
Parking: Small roadside pull-off
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small roadside pull-off
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
A natural oasis hidden in the North End of New Bedford, Flora B. Peirce Nature Trail takes visitors on a tour of forest life.
Size: 148 acres
Parking: Roadside parking on Falmouth Street
Facilities: None
Parking: Roadside parking on Falmouth Street
Facilities: None
Walk through birdsong-filled woods to the edge of rich salt pond habitat at Flume Pond in Falmouth.
Size: 28.6 acres
Parking: Small parking area across Sippewissett Rd. at Kelly Woodland
Facilities: None
Parking: Small parking area across Sippewissett Rd. at Kelly Woodland
Facilities: None
From fishing to hiking to paddling, discover a variety of activities on this eight-acre Westport property.
Size: 7.8 acres
Parking: Small pull-off area along Forge Road, on north side of Forge Pond
Facilities: None
Parking: Small pull-off area along Forge Road, on north side of Forge Pond
Facilities: None
With beautiful harbor views, a sandy beach, and a historic coastal fort, Fort Phoenix is a treasure for local residents.
Size: 9.3 acres
Parking: Three medium/large paved parking lots
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Playground
Parking: Three medium/large paved parking lots
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Playground
With a sandy beach, bike path, and fishing pier, Fort Taber Park offers sweeping Buzzards Bay views steeped in history.
Size: 50 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot
Facilities: Pier (concrete), Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash, Playground, Learning/Visitor Center, Food/Concession (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking lot
Facilities: Pier (concrete), Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash, Playground, Learning/Visitor Center, Food/Concession (seasonal)
Explore tranquil ponds, wetlands, and woods at Bourne's Four Ponds Conservation Area and Town Forest in Pocasset.
Size: 280 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
The wildlife-rich forests and fields of East Falmouth's Frances A. Crane welcome hunters, hikers, bikers, and equestrians alike.
Size: 1,800 acres
Parking: Small pull-off on north side of Route 151 (western area); Large unpaved parking area at end of dirt road off Route 151 between Hamilton Tree and Allietta softball field (eastern area); Small unpaved parking area on Hayway Road (southern area)
Facilities: None
Parking: Small pull-off on north side of Route 151 (western area); Large unpaved parking area at end of dirt road off Route 151 between Hamilton Tree and Allietta softball field (eastern area); Small unpaved parking area on Hayway Road (southern area)
Facilities: None
Nestled along the Little River in Dartmouth, Frank Knowles/Little River Reserve offers miles of hiking trails.
Size: 194 acres
Parking: Small crushed-shell parking area; additional roadside parking
Facilities: None
Parking: Small crushed-shell parking area; additional roadside parking
Facilities: None
For a true adventure, head to vast Freetown-Fall River State Forest, part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.
Size: 5,441 acres
Parking: Large paved parking area at forest headquarters; Medium-sized unpaved parking areas at Profile Rock and on Copicut Road and Bell Rock Road; Roadside parking at trailheads throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash
Parking: Large paved parking area at forest headquarters; Medium-sized unpaved parking areas at Profile Rock and on Copicut Road and Bell Rock Road; Roadside parking at trailheads throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash
Take a paddling adventure on the gorgeous Slocums River in Dartmouth from this small town-owned landing.
Parking: Small gravel parking area (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: None
Facilities: None
Explore Snipatuit Pond on a canoe, kayak, or small boat from this state launch ramp in Rochester.
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Launch
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Launch
Discover a former cranberry bog and the birds, turtles, and mammals of the wooded wetlands at Marion's Goldavitz Bog.
Size: 75.57 acres
Parking: Two small roadside pulloffs by bog
Facilities: None
Parking: Two small roadside pulloffs by bog
Facilities: None