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.
Marion's Peirson Woods has an observation platform where you can view sailboats, salt marshes, and sea birds on the water.
Size: 30.34 acres
Parking: Small roadside parking area at trailhead
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Picnic Table
Parking: Small roadside parking area at trailhead
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Picnic Table
Discover one of Cape Cod’s oldest farms at Peterson Farm in Falmouth, a working farm with grazing sheep alongside miles of trails through fields and forest.
Size: 88 acres
Parking: Small parking area at the end of unnamed road off McCallum Drive
Facilities: Trash
Parking: Small parking area at the end of unnamed road off McCallum Drive
Facilities: Trash
The 4.5-mile paved Phoenix Bike Trail is a gateway to Fairhaven's coastal forests and salt marshes.
Size: 4.5 miles
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking areas on Main Street and Arsene Street
Facilities: Bicycle Racks, Trash, Picnic Tables
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking areas on Main Street and Arsene Street
Facilities: Bicycle Racks, Trash, Picnic Tables
Planting Island Beach’s rugged, rocky shoreline offers a panoramic view of Sippican Harbor and Buzzards Bay.
Size: 3.75 acres
Parking: Three small unpaved roadside parking areas; resident privilege sticker required at all times
Facilities: None
Parking: Three small unpaved roadside parking areas; resident privilege sticker required at all times
Facilities: None
A small, secluded spot on Priests Cove, Pope Beach in Fairhaven offers sparkling views of Buzzards Bay.
Parking: Small unpaved roadside parking area
Facilities: None
Facilities: None
Family-friendly fun awaits in the fields and forest of Pulaski Park, located in New Bedford’s North End.
Size: 14 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area off Jordan Street
Facilities: Playground, Benches
Parking: Large unpaved parking area off Jordan Street
Facilities: Playground, Benches
For a peaceful walk through classic Cape Cod scenery, head to Red Brook Pond Conservation Area in Bourne.
Size: 40 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area on Thaxter Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area on Thaxter Road
Facilities: None
Hilly wooded uplands at this Dartmouth preserve capture the natural spirit of nearby Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.
Size: 210 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
This wide, easy-to-follow woodland trail is a great place to walk, jog, or try out cross-country skiing.
Size: 17 acres
Parking: Parking Lot A, a large paved lot
Facilities: Trash, Bike Rack
Parking: Parking Lot A, a large paved lot
Facilities: Trash, Bike Rack
Take a wild adventure through thousands of acres of remote forest and swamp at Rocky Gutter in Middleborough.
Size: 3,178 acres
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas on either end of Rocky Gutter Street (Purchase Street and France Street); a third small unpaved parking area on Wildlife Area Access Road at Purchase Street and Faye Avenue
Facilities: None
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas on either end of Rocky Gutter Street (Purchase Street and France Street); a third small unpaved parking area on Wildlife Area Access Road at Purchase Street and Faye Avenue
Facilities: None
A bustling summer boating spot, this sandy public ramp in Dartmouth offers access to Clarks Cove and Buzzards Bay.
Parking: Large paved parking lot (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
With calm waters and sweeping views, Round Hill Beach is a stunning summer destination for Dartmouth residents.
Size: 30 acres
Parking: Parking along paved Round Hill Beach Road
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Parking along paved Round Hill Beach Road
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
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
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
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
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