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.
Make community connections and explore a unique wilderness at Davis-Douglas Conservation Area, the headquarters of the Wildlands Trust.
Size: 232 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot at visitor center on Long Pond Road; unpaved parking areas at Emery Preserve East and West trailheads on Ship Pond Road
Facilities: Learning Center, Bicycle Rack, Water Fountain, Restrooms (in Davis-Douglas Farm), Trash, Picnic Tables
Parking: Large paved parking lot at visitor center on Long Pond Road; unpaved parking areas at Emery Preserve East and West trailheads on Ship Pond Road
Facilities: Learning Center, Bicycle Rack, Water Fountain, Restrooms (in Davis-Douglas Farm), Trash, Picnic Tables
An easy walking trail circles through peaceful Delano Memorial Forest, passing by the placid waters of the Sippican River.
Size: 110 acres
Parking: Small parking area off Marys Pond Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small parking area off Marys Pond Road
Facilities: None
Don’t let its name fool you: Destruction Brook Woods in Dartmouth is packed with unparalleled beauty.
Size: 283.8 acres
Parking: Medium-sized crushed-shell parking area on Slades Corner Road; small dirt pulloff on Fisher Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized crushed-shell parking area on Slades Corner Road; small dirt pulloff on Fisher Road
Facilities: None
The Doggett's Brook nature trail tucked into the woods behind the ball fields in Rochester is perfect for a walk after a game.
Size: 100 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area at Dexter Lane Field
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Playground
Parking: Large unpaved parking area at Dexter Lane Field
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Playground
If you want to explore a classic Wareham landscape, Westgate Conservation Area is an ideal spot.
Size: 49 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area off Papermill Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area off Papermill Road
Facilities: None
Explore forest, streams, wetlands, and a summer corn field, all at Dunham's Brook Conservation Area in Westport.
Size: 159 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
With fields, stone walls, and golden yellow barns, East Over Reservation is a reminder of Rochester’s rural character.
Size: 75 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: None
These two tracts are part of a network of local conservation areas in Marion and Rochester that you can explore.
Size: 322 acres
Parking: Medium-sized parking area along County Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized parking area along County Road
Facilities: None
With a sandy beach, bike path, and fishing pier, Fort Taber Park offers sweeping Buzzards Bay views steeped in history.
Size: 50 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot
Facilities: Pier (concrete), Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash, Playground, Learning/Visitor Center, Food/Concession (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking lot
Facilities: Pier (concrete), Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash, Playground, Learning/Visitor Center, Food/Concession (seasonal)
Explore tranquil ponds, wetlands, and woods at Bourne's Four Ponds Conservation Area and Town Forest in Pocasset.
Size: 280 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
The wildlife-rich forests and fields of East Falmouth's Frances A. Crane welcome hunters, hikers, bikers, and equestrians alike.
Size: 1,800 acres
Parking: Small pull-off on north side of Route 151 (western area); Large unpaved parking area at end of dirt road off Route 151 between Hamilton Tree and Allietta softball field (eastern area); Small unpaved parking area on Hayway Road (southern area)
Facilities: None
Parking: Small pull-off on north side of Route 151 (western area); Large unpaved parking area at end of dirt road off Route 151 between Hamilton Tree and Allietta softball field (eastern area); Small unpaved parking area on Hayway Road (southern area)
Facilities: None
For a true adventure, head to vast Freetown-Fall River State Forest, part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.
Size: 5,441 acres
Parking: Large paved parking area at forest headquarters; Medium-sized unpaved parking areas at Profile Rock and on Copicut Road and Bell Rock Road; Roadside parking at trailheads throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash
Parking: Large paved parking area at forest headquarters; Medium-sized unpaved parking areas at Profile Rock and on Copicut Road and Bell Rock Road; Roadside parking at trailheads throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash
Discover a former cranberry bog and the birds, turtles, and mammals of the wooded wetlands at Marion's Goldavitz Bog.
Size: 75.57 acres
Parking: Two small roadside pulloffs by bog
Facilities: None
Parking: Two small roadside pulloffs by bog
Facilities: None
Explore nature, history, and spectacular coastal beauty along the rugged shores of Gooseberry Island in Westport.
Size: 73 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking lot (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking lot (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal)
Take in the sounds of frogs and singing songbirds in a former cranberry bog on the trails around Grassi Bog in Marion.
Size: 36.55 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
From hilly glacial remnants to lush salt marshes, Great Neck Conservation Area in Wareham has something for everyone.
Size: 104 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Explore pine forests and salt marshes overlooking the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal at Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
Size: 219 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Walk through wetlands and a red maple forest with long ties to Marion’s history at Hagemann Woods.
Size: 23 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for about 5 cars)
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for about 5 cars)
Facilities: None
Venture through deep pine and beech forests that provide a vital lakeside home for Plymouth wildlife.
Size: 124 acres
Parking: Small unpaved pull-off at intersection of Halfway Pond Rd. and Mast Rd.
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved pull-off at intersection of Halfway Pond Rd. and Mast Rd.
Facilities: None
Take in scenic water and woodland views around the seven ponds of this wildlife management area in Rochester.
Size: 70 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area off Hartley Road (space for 3-4 cars)
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small unpaved parking area off Hartley Road (space for 3-4 cars)
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch