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.
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
Groves of stately beech trees shade New Boston Trail in Fairhaven, where you can take in peaceful views of forest and wetland habitat.
Size: 66.9 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Discover a hidden gateway to the Cape Cod Canal along the wooded trails at Nickerson Conservation Area in Bourne.
Size: 8 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area at Aptucxet Trading Post
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area at Aptucxet Trading Post
Facilities: None
Tour Falmouth's historic Nobska Lighthouse, standing since 1876, or explore the shoreline and go fishing on Nobska Point.
Size: 4 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 5-6 cars)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Learning Center
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 5-6 cars)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Learning Center
Walk through lush forest scattered with old stone walls in the woodlands of this former camp in Westport.
Size: 20.7 acres
Parking: Small dirt parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small dirt parking area
Facilities: None
Take an invigorating hike through steep, rocky hills along the Northern Moraine Conservation Area in Falmouth.
Size: 255.6
Parking: Unpaved parking area (space for 7-8 cars) on south side of Route 151
Facilities: None
Parking: Unpaved parking area (space for 7-8 cars) on south side of Route 151
Facilities: None
Travel miles of trail through wildflower meadows, coastal forests, and wetlands at Old Aucoot District in Mattapoisett.
Size: 307 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area at the end of Bowman Road; small unpaved parking area on east side of Prospect Road, across from Spruce Avenue; small unpaved pull-off near kiosk on west side of Hollywoods Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area at the end of Bowman Road; small unpaved parking area on east side of Prospect Road, across from Spruce Avenue; small unpaved pull-off near kiosk on west side of Hollywoods Road
Facilities: None
Walk through forests crisscrossed with old stone walls and discover spring vernal pools at Westport's Old Harbor Wildlife Refuge.
Size: 79 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area off Old Harbor Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area off Old Harbor Road
Facilities: None
For a classic sandy beach to enjoy in summer, Old Silver Beach in Falmouth is a top destination on Buzzards Bay.
Parking: Two large paved parking areas: one reserved for Falmouth residents and another for public parking
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Showers, Food/Concession
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Showers, Food/Concession
For a pleasant stroll with an unforgettable water view, you can’t beat Osprey Marsh.
Size: 19.8 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking lot
Parking: Small gravel parking lot
Discover a slice of secluded nature along the urban Acushnet River at P.J. Keating Woods.
Size: 21 acres
Parking: Best parking in rear lot at Acushnet Council on Aging (59 1/2 South Main St.)
Facilities: None
Parking: Best parking in rear lot at Acushnet Council on Aging (59 1/2 South Main St.)
Facilities: None
Discover a coastal ecosystem rich with native plants, birds, and butterflies from the meadows and observation platform of this Little Compton preserve.
Size: 11.5 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 5-6 cars) on South Shore Rd.
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 5-6 cars) on South Shore Rd.
Facilities: None
Known for its stunning daffodil field, Parsons Reserve in Dartmouth holds many more beautiful surprises in its woods.
Size: 32 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area at Russells Mills Landing
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area at Russells Mills Landing
Facilities: None
Paskamansett Landing is an oasis of nature and history in the urban center of North Dartmouth.
Size: 0.72 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking lot
Facilities: Canoe Launch
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking lot
Facilities: Canoe Launch
With a canoe launch, picnic table, and bench by the river, Paskamansett Park is a peaceful streamside setting.
Size: 6.7 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Canoe Launch, Picnic Table
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Canoe Launch, Picnic Table
Walk from suburban woods into dense forest and over a historic granite bridge at Paskamansett & Gidley Woods in Dartmouth.
Size: 11 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for about 6 cars)
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for about 6 cars)
Facilities: None