What better way to enjoy freshly fallen snow than cross-country skiing? The Buzzards Bay region has dozens of places where you can go skiing through peaceful winter woods, fields, and wetlands. For your next cross-country adventure, try one of these parks and trails, which are well-suited for a trek on skis.
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
Explore dense forests, forested wetlands, and wildflower-rich former farmland at Headwaters Conservation Area in Westport.
Size: 133 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 1-2 cars) off Blossom Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 1-2 cars) off Blossom Road
Facilities: None
Herb Hadfield's woods, wetlands, and meadows surround Angeline Brook, a pristine coldwater trout stream in Westport.
Size: 152 acres
Parking: Two small gravel parking areas
Facilities: None
Parking: Two small gravel parking areas
Facilities: None
Herring Run Recreation Area's name tells you why it's special — it's home to a herring run on Cape Cod Canal.
Parking: Large paved parking area
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables
With two miles of sand and surf, the 600-acre Horseneck Beach State Reservation is a recreational paradise in Westport.
Size: 600 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lots
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables
Parking: Large paved parking lots
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables
An accessible boardwalk through diverse wetlands and forest holds outdoor adventures that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy.
Size: 168 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area next to the soccer field on Meetinghouse Lane; medium-sized unpaved parking area along West Main Road, just north of intersection with Treaty Rock Rd.
Facilities: Boardwalk, Trash
Parking: Large unpaved parking area next to the soccer field on Meetinghouse Lane; medium-sized unpaved parking area along West Main Road, just north of intersection with Treaty Rock Rd.
Facilities: Boardwalk, Trash
Explore a coastal salt pond and rolling glacial forests through Kelly Woodlands, a gateway to vibrant Cape Cod habitats.
Size: 3 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 4-5 cars)
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 4-5 cars)
Facilities: None
With nearly 50 acres of meadows and forests on the Acushnet River, LaPalme Farm celebrates Acushnet’s pastoral charm.
Size: 47 acres
Parking: Limited street parking at the end of Blain Street
Facilities: None
Parking: Limited street parking at the end of Blain Street
Facilities: None
With captivating streams and wetlands hidden in a quiet forest, Lionberger Woods in Rochester is easy to fall in love with.
Size: 43.3 acres
Parking: Roadside parking by trailhead
Facilities: Picnic Tables
Parking: Roadside parking by trailhead
Facilities: Picnic Tables
This environmental education center in Dartmouth is also a destination for outdoor exploration on the Slocums River.
Size: 82 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Trash, Learning/Visitor Center
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Trash, Learning/Visitor Center
Take a challenging hike up and down rocky hills within rich protected forest in Falmouth's Long Pond & Falmouth Town Forest.
Size: 585 acres
Parking: Two paved parking areas in Goodwill Park; two dirt pull-off areas along Brick Kiln Road
Parking: Two paved parking areas in Goodwill Park; two dirt pull-off areas along Brick Kiln Road
This diverse paradise of woods, wetlands, and salt marshes in Plymouth shelters rare sea-run brook trout in Red Brook.
Size: 210 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Picnic Tables, Trash
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Picnic Tables, Trash
Explore 2.5 miles of looping trails through coastal forest and along a sweep of bird-filled salt marshes in Wareham.
Size: 118 acres
Parking: Small paved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small paved parking area
Facilities: None
The growing Mattapoisett Rail Trail offers a mile-long flat, paved bike path and a short footpath to the Mattapoisett River.
Size: 2 miles (Total length including Fairhaven trails: 6 Miles)
Parking: Limited Parking at Depot St. and Railroad Avenue, unmarked pulloff space next to path at Brandt Island Road (reserved for people with disabilities, infirmities, or parents with small children); free parking along Phoenix Bike Trail in Fairhaven
Facilities: None (Public Toilets at Mattapoisett Town Wharf)
Parking: Limited Parking at Depot St. and Railroad Avenue, unmarked pulloff space next to path at Brandt Island Road (reserved for people with disabilities, infirmities, or parents with small children); free parking along Phoenix Bike Trail in Fairhaven
Facilities: None (Public Toilets at Mattapoisett Town Wharf)
For a leisurely walk out to one of Buzzards Bay’s quietest coves, look no further than the Munn Preserve in Mattapoisett.
Size: 18.5 acres
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area on Mattapoisett Neck Road by trailhead
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area on Mattapoisett Neck Road by trailhead
Facilities: None
With over 12,000 acres to hike, bike, fish, camp, and hunt, you'll never run out of ways to have fun at Myles Standish in Carver.
Size: 12,400 acres
Parking: Several paved parking areas throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash, Visitor Center
Parking: Several paved parking areas throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash, Visitor Center
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
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
