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.
Branch off from the main route of Fairhaven’s Phoenix Bike Trail to explore the scenic shoreline at Little Bay Conservation Area.
Size: 70 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area at the end of Little Bay Road
Facilities: Pier (concrete), Trash, Picnic Tables
Parking: Small unpaved parking area at the end of Little Bay Road
Facilities: Pier (concrete), Trash, Picnic Tables
Peaceful Little Buttermilk Bay Woods in Bourne hits all the right notes in just under a mile of walking trails.
Size: 10.86 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
The sandy shores and gentle waves at Little Harbor Beach in Wareham are a wonderful way to enjoy life by the Bay.
Size: 22 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot; resident parking sticker required
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking lot; resident parking sticker required
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
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
See views of Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean from the top of the Bay at Lookout Park on Cuttyhunk.
Size: 0.5 acres
Parking: None
Facilities: Trash, Picnic Tables
Parking: None
Facilities: Trash, Picnic Tables
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)
Don’t let this Dartmouth reserve's small size fool you – it's full of interesting natural features, like a cultivated blueberry patch.
Size: 5 acres
Parking: Roadside parking along Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Roadside parking along Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
Hike through Martha's Vineyard's diverse habitats and take in stunning views of Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands at this large Chilmark preserve.
Size: 211 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable Toilets (seasonal)
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable Toilets (seasonal)
Pick fruit at the community orchard, explore the woods, or watch the river flow by at Mill Pond Conservation Area in Westport.
Size: 8 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area (space for 4-5 cars)
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area (space for 4-5 cars)
Facilities: None
Hike or bike up and down wooded hills scattered with boulders at Mock Moraine and Eaton Preserve in West Falmouth.
Size: 26.7 acres
Parking: Medium unpaved parking area at Swift Park; small unpaved parking area on Stagecoach Way
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium unpaved parking area at Swift Park; small unpaved parking area on Stagecoach Way
Facilities: None
Explore rolling pine-and-oak woods by the edge of Bourne’s Little Bay on the network of trails at Monks Park.
Size: 9 acres
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas on Valley Bars Circle; additional parking at kayak ramp (with town of Bourne beach sticker)
Facilities: Kayak Launch
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas on Valley Bars Circle; additional parking at kayak ramp (with town of Bourne beach sticker)
Facilities: Kayak Launch
Find a perfect summer beach day or ample year-round exploration on this secluded coast beneath Martha's Vineyard's Gay Head Cliffs.
Size: 17 acres
Parking: Large paved parking area on Aquinnah Circle
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Benches, Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking area on Aquinnah Circle
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Benches, Restrooms (seasonal)
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
Catch a sunset or just breathe in the fresh air this flower-filled park on Mattapoisett Harbor.
Size: 1 acre
Parking: Metered street parking
Facilities: None
Parking: Metered street parking
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
