For dog owners, part of the fun of outdoor exploration is having your faithful companion by your side. Fortunately, there are lots of dog-friendly parks, trails, and beaches in the Buzzards Bay region where you and your four-legged friend can get some fresh air and exercise.
For any of the places below, make sure to follow all posted rules for dogs. Some spots allow dogs “under voice control,” whereas others require dogs to be on a leash at all times. Wherever you go, always pick up after your pet to keep our local waters clean.
Escape from busy Wareham center and stop at Bryant Farm for a peaceful walk.
Size: 102 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot behind Minot Elementary; small dirt lot next to Golf Shots Driving Range
Facilities: None
Parking: Large paved parking lot behind Minot Elementary; small dirt lot next to Golf Shots Driving Range
Facilities: None
Known as the “crown jewel” of New Bedford, Buttonwood Park is an oasis of nature and recreation in the city.
Size: 97 acres
Parking: Two large paved parking lots (open 6am-10pm); additional on-street parking around the park
Facilities: Restrooms, Trash, Picnic Tables, Playground
Parking: Two large paved parking lots (open 6am-10pm); additional on-street parking around the park
Facilities: Restrooms, Trash, Picnic Tables, Playground
Explore the Cape Cod Canal from Buzzards Bay Recreation Area in Bourne, located at the foot of the iconic railroad bridge.
Parking: Large paved parking area
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables
If you want to take an easygoing, scenic bike ride, look no further than the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway in Bourne.
Size: 7 miles north side/6.5 miles south side
Parking: Medium/Large paved parking areas at all recreation areas along bikeway
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables
Parking: Medium/Large paved parking areas at all recreation areas along bikeway
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables
Follow a trail through a bird-filled meadow and into quiet woodlands at this former farm in West Falmouth.
Size: 45 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area on dirt road next to Forman Lane
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area on dirt road next to Forman Lane
Facilities: None
From the fish ladder to the glacial moraine, explore Bourne's natural history at Carter Beal Conservation Area.
Size: 29.7 acres
Parking: Small dirt parking area
Facilities: Benches, Trash
Parking: Small dirt parking area
Facilities: Benches, Trash
An array of stunning habitats fit into a small package at this Fairhaven preserve, featuring fields, forests, and wetlands.
Size: 61 acres
Parking: Street parking on the south side of Shaw Rd. next to the Carvalho Farm field
Facilities: None
Parking: Street parking on the south side of Shaw Rd. next to the Carvalho Farm field
Facilities: None
See a sampling of all of Bourne’s vibrant natural scenery on one walk when you visit Cataumet Greenway.
Size: 95 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area at the Cataumet Post Office; two additional small unpaved parking areas on Red Brook Harbor Road
Facilities: Picnic Table, Playground
Parking: Small unpaved parking area at the Cataumet Post Office; two additional small unpaved parking areas on Red Brook Harbor Road
Facilities: Picnic Table, Playground
Sample the diversity of Martha’s Vineyard habitats with a visit to Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary.
Size: 400 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable toilet
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable toilet
“Chappy,” as locals call Chapoquoit Beach in Falmouth, is a sandy, secluded spot far from Cape Cod's crowds.
Size: 1.6 acres
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area; resident beach sticker required to park in summer
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Shower (seasonal)
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area; resident beach sticker required to park in summer
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Shower (seasonal)
Marion’s popular Washburn Park hearkens back to the historic town common where locals can walk and play.
Size: 132 acres
Parking: Several unpaved parking areas throughout park
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Restrooms, Trash, Picnic Tables, Playground
Parking: Several unpaved parking areas throughout park
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Restrooms, Trash, Picnic Tables, Playground
With rolling waves and a long, sandy shoreline, Cherry & Webb Beach is a favorite summer destination for Westport residents.
Size: 80 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; resident beach sticker required year-round
Facilities: Picnic Tables, Bicycle Rack
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; resident beach sticker required year-round
Facilities: Picnic Tables, Bicycle Rack
With a cozy picnic table nestled in a grove of trees, Church Wildlife Conservation Area in Rochester is a lovely picnic spot.
Size: 21 acres
Parking: Small dirt parking area off Marion Road
Facilities: Picnic table
Parking: Small dirt parking area off Marion Road
Facilities: Picnic table
Take an island excursion to Cuttyhunk and discover Church's Beach, a Buzzards Bay paradise with crystal-clear waters.
Parking: None (boat and foot access only)
Facilities: None
Facilities: None
Hunt for remnants of an old settlement among fields and forest along the Mattapoisett River at Church's Field in Rochester.
Size: 32 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: Picnic table
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: Picnic table
Collins Woodlot in Falmouth offers great hiking along two miles of trail through wild-feeling forest.
Size: 130 acres
Parking: Small unpaved pull-off on Service Road; small unpaved pull-off on south side of Brick Kiln Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved pull-off on Service Road; small unpaved pull-off on south side of Brick Kiln Road
Facilities: None
Part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, Copicut Woods in Fall River showcases unique natural features.
Size: 516 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area on Indian Town Road; small unpaved parking areas on Yellow Hill Road and Copicut Road
Facilities: Picnic Tables
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area on Indian Town Road; small unpaved parking areas on Yellow Hill Road and Copicut Road
Facilities: Picnic Tables
The idyllic pastures and sweeping salt marsh views at Cornell Farm in Dartmouth will captivate nature lovers of every age.
Size: 130 acres
Parking: Medium-sized crushed-shell parking area
Facilities: Picnic tables
Parking: Medium-sized crushed-shell parking area
Facilities: Picnic tables
With its short trail through the forest, Davis Park in Acushnet is perfect for a brief escape to nature.
Size: 16.5 acres
Parking: On-street
Facilities: None
Parking: On-street
Facilities: None
Make community connections and explore a unique wilderness at Davis-Douglas Conservation Area, the headquarters of the Wildlands Trust.
Size: 232 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot at visitor center on Long Pond Road; unpaved parking areas at Emery Preserve East and West trailheads on Ship Pond Road
Facilities: Learning Center, Bicycle Rack, Water Fountain, Restrooms (in Davis-Douglas Farm), Trash, Picnic Tables
Parking: Large paved parking lot at visitor center on Long Pond Road; unpaved parking areas at Emery Preserve East and West trailheads on Ship Pond Road
Facilities: Learning Center, Bicycle Rack, Water Fountain, Restrooms (in Davis-Douglas Farm), Trash, Picnic Tables