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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Swimming, paddling, quahogging, crabbing – Shining Tides Beach truly offers it all for Mattapoisett residents.
Size: 4 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area; parking pass required in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Picnic Table
Parking: Small unpaved parking area; parking pass required in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Picnic Table
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
This farm and forest along the Mattapoisett River in Rochester was preserved for birds — and explorers like you!
Size: 79.74
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Picnic table
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Picnic table
With pretty views and peaceful waters, Silvershell Beach is a favorite summer spot for families in Marion.
Size: 2 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; Marion or Rochester resident privilege sticker required to park at all times
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Playground
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; Marion or Rochester resident privilege sticker required to park at all times
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Playground
Known for its educational signs, this Little Compton reserve is popular among hunters, hikers, paddlers, and curious young explorers.
Size: 433 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area on Coldbrook Road; small unpaved parking area on John Dyer Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area on Coldbrook Road; small unpaved parking area on John Dyer Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Soak up the spectacular natural beauty of the Slocums River at the Slocum’s River Reserve in South Dartmouth.
Size: 47 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Smith Farm offers a peek at Dartmouth's coastal habitats, from forested swamps and ponds to scenic salt marshes.
Size: 140 acres
Parking: Small dirt roadside parking area on Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small dirt roadside parking area on Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
Swim, soak up the sun, cast out a fishing line, or take a long walk along the rock-scattered shore at this Little Compton beach.
Size: 9.6 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Kayak launch (shoreline), RV camping with town permit
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Kayak launch (shoreline), RV camping with town permit
Star of the Sea Reserve shines as a quiet place to explore forests and wetlands on Apponagansett Bay in Dartmouth.
Size: 43.75 acres
Parking: Roadside parking by trailhead (marked with boulders)
Facilities: None
Parking: Roadside parking by trailhead (marked with boulders)
Facilities: None
Find surprising beauty in the old woodlands beside Great Quittacas Pond on this Middleborough trail.
Size: 35 acres
Parking: Two small dirt parking areas on either side of Long Point Rd.
Facilities: None
Parking: Two small dirt parking areas on either side of Long Point Rd.
Facilities: None