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.
With its wide expanse of sand, Megansett Beach is a great spot for Falmouth residents to sit and watch sailboats on the harbor.
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area; resident beach sticker required to park in summer
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier (wood), Restrooms (seasonal), Trash
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier (wood), Restrooms (seasonal), Trash
For boaters on Cape Cod, Megansett Harbor Landing in North Falmouth is an awesome gateway to Buzzards Bay.
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area (vehicles only; no trailer parking); resident beach sticker required to park in summer
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier (wood), Shower (seasonal)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier (wood), Shower (seasonal)
Hike through Martha's Vineyard's diverse habitats and take in stunning views of Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands at this large Chilmark preserve.
Size: 211 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable Toilets (seasonal)
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable Toilets (seasonal)
Pick fruit at the community orchard, explore the woods, or watch the river flow by at Mill Pond Conservation Area in Westport.
Size: 8 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area (space for 4-5 cars)
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area (space for 4-5 cars)
Facilities: None
Hike or bike up and down wooded hills scattered with boulders at Mock Moraine and Eaton Preserve in West Falmouth.
Size: 26.7 acres
Parking: Medium unpaved parking area at Swift Park; small unpaved parking area on Stagecoach Way
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium unpaved parking area at Swift Park; small unpaved parking area on Stagecoach Way
Facilities: None
Explore rolling pine-and-oak woods by the edge of Bourne’s Little Bay on the network of trails at Monks Park.
Size: 9 acres
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas on Valley Bars Circle; additional parking at kayak ramp (with town of Bourne beach sticker)
Facilities: Kayak Launch
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas on Valley Bars Circle; additional parking at kayak ramp (with town of Bourne beach sticker)
Facilities: Kayak Launch
For a full day of swimming, boating, and playing by the Bay, look no further than Monument Beach in Bourne.
Parking: Large paved parking area
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Food/Concession (seasonal)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Food/Concession (seasonal)
This Bourne town marina provides a one-stop destination for boaters to explore the harbors and shores of upper Buzzards Bay.
Parking: Large paved parking area (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Dock (wood), Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Trash, Fuel (seasonal), Food/Concession (seasonal)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Dock (wood), Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Trash, Fuel (seasonal), Food/Concession (seasonal)
Find a perfect summer beach day or ample year-round exploration on this secluded coast beneath Martha's Vineyard's Gay Head Cliffs.
Size: 17 acres
Parking: Large paved parking area on Aquinnah Circle
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Benches, Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking area on Aquinnah Circle
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Benches, Restrooms (seasonal)
For a leisurely walk out to one of Buzzards Bay’s quietest coves, look no further than the Munn Preserve in Mattapoisett.
Size: 18.5 acres
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area on Mattapoisett Neck Road by trailhead
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area on Mattapoisett Neck Road by trailhead
Facilities: None
Catch a sunset or just breathe in the fresh air this flower-filled park on Mattapoisett Harbor.
Size: 1 acre
Parking: Metered street parking
Facilities: None
Parking: Metered street parking
Facilities: None
With over 12,000 acres to hike, bike, fish, camp, and hunt, you'll never run out of ways to have fun at Myles Standish in Carver.
Size: 12,400 acres
Parking: Several paved parking areas throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash, Visitor Center
Parking: Several paved parking areas throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash, Visitor Center
Nasketucket Bay State Reservation's 200 acres of coastal forests in Mattapoisett are a treasure for all ages.
Size: 371 acres
Parking: Large gravel parking lot
Facilities: Picnic table
Parking: Large gravel parking lot
Facilities: Picnic table
Swim, picnic, and play in the shadow of Mattapoisett’s Ned’s Point Lighthouse at this town-owned park and beach.
Size: 4 acres
Parking: Large gravel parking area
Facilities: Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash
Parking: Large gravel parking area
Facilities: Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash
This wooded conservation area on Nestles Lane in Acushnet offers local residents a lovely walk along mossy stone walls.
Size: 85 acres
Parking: Two small roadside parking areas along Nestles Lane (south of the property) and near the intersection of Nestles Lane and Butts Lane (north of the property)
Facilities: None
Parking: Two small roadside parking areas along Nestles Lane (south of the property) and near the intersection of Nestles Lane and Butts Lane (north of the property)
Facilities: None
Stroll along a creative connection of nature, community, and art on the CoveWalk, part of The Blue Lane in New Bedford.
Parking: Small paved designated parking area on Cove Road at center entrance; medium-sized paved shared parking area on West Rodney French Boulevard at east entrance; small unpaved parking area on Cove Road at west entrance
Facilities: Trash
Facilities: Trash
Adventurers of all ages can explore this small woodland, featuring a kettle pond ringed with rhododendrons.
Size: 2.67 acres
Parking: Street parking near Gaffney Road trailhead
Facilities: None
Parking: Street parking near Gaffney Road trailhead
Facilities: None
Experience bustling New Bedford Harbor from up high on the New Bedford Harbor Walk, a paved walking and bike path.
Parking: Small paved parking area at the end of Gifford Street; limited roadside parking along East Rodney French Boulevard
Facilities: Trash
Facilities: Trash
Known by locals as "Lake Street," the New Bedford Reservoir in Acushnet is a peaceful destination for fishing and paddling.
Size: 4 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area; several small pulloffs along Lake Street
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area; several small pulloffs along Lake Street
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Discover a peaceful beech tree forest and remarkable freshwater views at New Bedford Waterworks, part of the protected Assawompset Pond Complex.
Size: 842 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved lot at the North Rochester Congregational Church (near entrance gate R10); roadside parking at any fire road entrance gate (R1-18) not marked “no admittance” (do not block gates/fire lanes)
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved lot at the North Rochester Congregational Church (near entrance gate R10); roadside parking at any fire road entrance gate (R1-18) not marked “no admittance” (do not block gates/fire lanes)
Facilities: None