What’s one of the best ways to explore new places around Buzzards Bay? Go geocaching! Geocaching combines GPS technology with good old-fashioned treasure hunting in a way that’s fun for all ages. There are hundreds of caches hidden around the region, so you’ll always be able to find new trails, parks, and coastal spots to seek out a geocaching adventure.
Don’t let this Dartmouth reserve's small size fool you – it's full of interesting natural features, like a cultivated blueberry patch.
Size: 5 acres
Parking: Roadside parking along Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Roadside parking along Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
Water-loving Marion residents can begin a day of boating or kayaking from Old Landing Wharf on Sippican Harbor.
Parking: Small paved parking lot; Marion or Rochester resident privilege sticker required to park at all times
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Dock (wood/floating), Wharf, Picnic Tables
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Dock (wood/floating), Wharf, Picnic Tables
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