With deep forests, rocky coasts, and rich salt marshes, Buzzards Bay is a haven for wildlife of all types. Migratory birds flock to our shores along the Atlantic Flyway, while frogs and salamanders thrive in the vernal pools that pop up in our woods each spring. So grab a pair of binoculars and visit one of these places to seek out our region’s special birds and wildlife.
Take in a lovely view of Leonard’s Pond in Rochester from the shores of these two small waterfront properties.
Size: 4.1 acres and 2.95 acres
Parking: Two small roadside parking areas along Mary’s Pond Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch, Picnic Table
Parking: Two small roadside parking areas along Mary’s Pond Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch, Picnic Table
Find yourself immersed in nature along Fairhaven’s LeRoy L. Wood School Trail, designed to engage young explorers’ curiosity.
Size: 7.5 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot in front of the school
Facilities: Benches
Parking: Large paved parking lot in front of the school
Facilities: Benches
Accessible only from the Westport River East Branch, "The Let" is a perfect resting place for a mid-paddle picnic and a stroll.
Size: 63 acres
Parking: None (not accessible by vehicle)
Facilities: None
Parking: None (not accessible by vehicle)
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
Visit Bourne's Little Bay Conservation Area to discover a walk that captures Buzzards Bay’s unique coastal geography.
Size: 21.33 acres
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas off Shore Road and at the end of Valley Bars Circle
Facilities: Kayak Launch, Picnic Table
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas off Shore Road and at the end of Valley Bars Circle
Facilities: Kayak Launch, Picnic Table
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
A natural kettle hole, Mary’s Pond in Rochester is a popular destination for picnicking, paddling, and fishing.
Size: 10.29 acres
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas on Perry's Lane
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas on Perry's Lane
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Set off on a Pocasset Harbor paddling adventure from the Massasoit Avenue Boat Ramp in Bourne.
Parking: None
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch
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)
In the heart of this quiet waterfront village, Mattapoisett Town Beach offers sandy shores and picturesque harbor views.
Size: 1.9 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; fee to park in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Shower, Picnic Tables, Playground
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; fee to park in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Shower, Picnic Tables, Playground
Take a scenic paddle on Mattapoisett Harbor and the mouth of the Mattapoisett River from Mattapoisett Town Landing.
Size: 1.75 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area; parking pass required
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Bicycle Rack, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Table
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area; parking pass required
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Bicycle Rack, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Table
Boaters cruising into Mattapoisett Harbor will find ample tie-up space and amenities at these five historic wharves.
Parking: Public street parking on north side of Water Street; resident parking pass required for Town Wharf parking
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier/Dock (concrete), Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables, Fuel, Water, Ice (seasonal), Concession (seasonal)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier/Dock (concrete), Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables, Fuel, Water, Ice (seasonal), Concession (seasonal)
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