The Buzzards Bay region extends far beyond the Bay’s shores. And one of the best ways for you to explore it is also the simplest: Take a walk! Hiking doesn’t require any special equipment, and it’s fun for all ages. From walks along the beach to hikes through the woods, Buzzards Bay has hundreds of places for you to discover on foot.
The wildlife-rich forests and fields of East Falmouth's Frances A. Crane welcome hunters, hikers, bikers, and equestrians alike.
Size: 1,800 acres
Parking: Small pull-off on north side of Route 151 (western area); Large unpaved parking area at end of dirt road off Route 151 between Hamilton Tree and Allietta softball field (eastern area); Small unpaved parking area on Hayway Road (southern area)
Facilities: None
Parking: Small pull-off on north side of Route 151 (western area); Large unpaved parking area at end of dirt road off Route 151 between Hamilton Tree and Allietta softball field (eastern area); Small unpaved parking area on Hayway Road (southern area)
Facilities: None
Nestled along the Little River in Dartmouth, Frank Knowles/Little River Reserve offers miles of hiking trails.
Size: 194 acres
Parking: Small crushed-shell parking area; additional roadside parking
Facilities: None
Parking: Small crushed-shell parking area; additional roadside parking
Facilities: None
For a true adventure, head to vast Freetown-Fall River State Forest, part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.
Size: 5,441 acres
Parking: Large paved parking area at forest headquarters; Medium-sized unpaved parking areas at Profile Rock and on Copicut Road and Bell Rock Road; Roadside parking at trailheads throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash
Parking: Large paved parking area at forest headquarters; Medium-sized unpaved parking areas at Profile Rock and on Copicut Road and Bell Rock Road; Roadside parking at trailheads throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash
The Gifford Street Boat Ramp provides boaters and paddlers with easy access to the protected waters of inner New Bedford Harbor.
Parking: Large paved parking area (parking for vehicles with trailers only)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Launch, Dinghy Storage
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Launch, Dinghy Storage
Discover a former cranberry bog and the birds, turtles, and mammals of the wooded wetlands at Marion's Goldavitz Bog.
Size: 75.57 acres
Parking: Two small roadside pulloffs by bog
Facilities: None
Parking: Two small roadside pulloffs by bog
Facilities: None
Families flock to Goodwill Park in Falmouth to enjoy grassy lawns and sandy beach along the cool waters of Grews Pond.
Size: 86 acres
Parking: Three free parking areas on Goodwill Park Road
Facilities: Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Grills, Trash, Pavilion, Playground
Parking: Three free parking areas on Goodwill Park Road
Facilities: Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Grills, Trash, Pavilion, Playground
Explore nature, history, and spectacular coastal beauty along the rugged shores of Gooseberry Island in Westport.
Size: 73 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking lot (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking lot (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal)
Escape the crowds for windswept dunes and crashing waves at Little Compton's Goosewing Beach Preserve.
Size: 75 acres
Parking: Large paved lot at South Shore Beach; fee to park, Memorial Day – Labor Day
Facilities: Learning Center (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved lot at South Shore Beach; fee to park, Memorial Day – Labor Day
Facilities: Learning Center (seasonal)
Take in the sounds of frogs and singing songbirds in a former cranberry bog on the trails around Grassi Bog in Marion.
Size: 36.55 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
From hilly glacial remnants to lush salt marshes, Great Neck Conservation Area in Wareham has something for everyone.
Size: 104 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Explore pine forests and salt marshes overlooking the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal at Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
Size: 219 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Great Rock Bight Preserve offers a secluded beach great swimming, sunbathing, surfcasting and sunsets, plus other habitat treasures.
Size: 28.5 acres
Parking: Medium-sized, unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized, unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Walk through wetlands and a red maple forest with long ties to Marion’s history at Hagemann Woods.
Size: 23 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for about 5 cars)
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for about 5 cars)
Facilities: None
Discover Plymouth’s peaceful ponds and woodlands by foot or canoe at Halfway Pond Conservation Area.
Size: 409.6 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking areas on Mast Road and at the intersection of Gallows Pond Road and West Long Point Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small unpaved parking areas on Mast Road and at the intersection of Gallows Pond Road and West Long Point Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Venture through deep pine and beech forests that provide a vital lakeside home for Plymouth wildlife.
Size: 124 acres
Parking: Small unpaved pull-off at intersection of Halfway Pond Rd. and Mast Rd.
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved pull-off at intersection of Halfway Pond Rd. and Mast Rd.
Facilities: None
Hamlin Crossing’s peaceful wildflower meadow and quiet woods in Acushnet are a perfect place for a short, refreshing walk.
Size: 9 acres
Parking: Small roadside parking area on Hamlin Street across from entrance
Parking: Small roadside parking area on Hamlin Street across from entrance
Take in scenic water and woodland views around the seven ponds of this wildlife management area in Rochester.
Size: 70 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area off Hartley Road (space for 3-4 cars)
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small unpaved parking area off Hartley Road (space for 3-4 cars)
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
This 3,100-acre forest in Rochester, Marion, and Mattapoisett is maintained for hunting, though adventurous explorers will also find much to love.
Size: 3,104 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area at the end of Dexter Lane
Facilities: None
Parking: Large unpaved parking area at the end of Dexter Lane
Facilities: None
Set on a hill overlooking Clarks Cove, Hazelwood Park is a destination for outdoor recreation in New Bedford's South End.
Size: 23 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Trash, Picnic Table(s), Playground
Parking: Large paved parking lot
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Trash, Picnic Table(s), Playground
Head of Westport Town Landing is a quaint spot for paddlers to begin a journey down the Westport River East Branch.
Size: 2 acres
Parking: Small unpaved roadside parking area on Drift Road; Small unpaved parking area off Old County Road; Additional street parking on Old County Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small unpaved roadside parking area on Drift Road; Small unpaved parking area off Old County Road; Additional street parking on Old County Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch