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.
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
Hike rolling hills, snorkel pristine waters, and take in a fascinating history on this Buzzards Bay island unlike any other.
Size: 75 acres
Facilities: Dock
Facilities: Dock
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
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
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
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
With sandy shores and a grassy park, Shell Point Beach is a perfect destination to explore Wareham’s coastal scenery.
Size: 1.6 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot; fee to park May 1 to October 1
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking lot; fee to park May 1 to October 1
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
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