Whether you’re a professional taking photos with a long lens or an enthusiast snapping pictures with your smart phone, the area around Buzzards Bay provides ample opportunities to get that perfect shot out in nature. Train your eye on varied habitats, fascinating wildlife, and colorful changing seasons at any of these great locations in the watershed — and be sure to tag us in any of those beautiful pictures that you share online!
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
Tour Falmouth's historic Nobska Lighthouse, standing since 1876, or explore the shoreline and go fishing on Nobska Point.
Size: 4 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 5-6 cars)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Learning Center
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 5-6 cars)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Learning Center
Take an invigorating hike through steep, rocky hills along the Northern Moraine Conservation Area in Falmouth.
Size: 255.6
Parking: Unpaved parking area (space for 7-8 cars) on south side of Route 151
Facilities: None
Parking: Unpaved parking area (space for 7-8 cars) on south side of Route 151
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
For a pleasant stroll with an unforgettable water view, you can’t beat Osprey Marsh.
Size: 19.8 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking lot
Parking: Small gravel parking lot
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
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
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
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
Cast your line out for a bass or take a relaxing paddle in the calm, clear waters of this Carver pond with lovely shoreline views.
Parking: Small unpaved parking lot next to the boat ramp
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
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
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
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
Picnic in a bird-filled meadow or launch a kayak to explore beautiful marshes at this hidden gem in Lakeville.
Size: 49 acres
Parking: Large paved parking area on west side of circular drive
Facilities: Kayak Launch, Picnic Tables
Parking: Large paved parking area on west side of circular drive
Facilities: Kayak Launch, Picnic Tables
Swim, kayak, snorkel, and beachcomb while enjoying a sweeping lighthouse view Tarpaulin Cove Beach, a public beach on private Naushon Island.
Facilities: None
Explore the remnants of a 19th century industrial site perched on the rocky shores of Vineyard Sound.
Size: 20 acres
Parking: Medium-sized, unpaved parking ara
Facilities: Portable toilets
Parking: Medium-sized, unpaved parking ara
Facilities: Portable toilets
The mix of open meadows, woodland paths, and sweeping ridge-line views at Waskosim's Rock Reservation make it a fascinating place to visit and re-visit.
Size: 185 acres
Parking: Medium-sized dirt parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized dirt parking area
Facilities: None
Discover island adventures on the untamed shores of the Weepecket Islands, a small island chain north of Naushon.
Parking: None
Facilities: Kayak launch (shoreline)
Facilities: Kayak launch (shoreline)