When the snow falls, don’t stay indoors – grab a pair of snowshoes and take to the trails! Snowshoeing is a fun, easy way to get outside and explore the Buzzards Bay region in winter. Tromp down the shoreline of your local beach, or head into the woods to enjoy quiet views of freshly fallen snow.
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
Groves of stately beech trees shade New Boston Trail in Fairhaven, where you can take in peaceful views of forest and wetland habitat.
Size: 66.9 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area
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
Walk through lush forest scattered with old stone walls in the woodlands of this former camp in Westport.
Size: 20.7 acres
Parking: Small dirt parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small dirt parking area
Facilities: None
Magnificent coastal scenery awaits you at Ocean View Farm Reserve, one of Dartmouth’s newest places to explore.
Size: 60 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
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
Discover a slice of secluded nature along the urban Acushnet River at P.J. Keating Woods.
Size: 21 acres
Parking: Best parking in rear lot at Acushnet Council on Aging (59 1/2 South Main St.)
Facilities: None
Parking: Best parking in rear lot at Acushnet Council on Aging (59 1/2 South Main St.)
Facilities: None
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
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
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