For dog owners, part of the fun of outdoor exploration is having your faithful companion by your side. Fortunately, there are lots of dog-friendly parks, trails, and beaches in the Buzzards Bay region where you and your four-legged friend can get some fresh air and exercise.
For any of the places below, make sure to follow all posted rules for dogs. Some spots allow dogs “under voice control,” whereas others require dogs to be on a leash at all times. Wherever you go, always pick up after your pet to keep our local waters clean.
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
Dike Creek Reserve stands out for its graceful mix of well-tended fields, woodlands, forested swamp, and expansive views of Dike Creek Marsh.
Size: 77 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Parking: Small gravel parking area
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
This engaging nature trail in Fairhaven is a welcoming spot for the whole community to discover nature's classroom.
Size: 13 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot at school
Facilities: Picnic Table
Parking: Large paved parking lot at school
Facilities: Picnic Table
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
This popular birdwatching hotspot in Fairhaven offers sweeping salt marsh views from atop the stone dike.
Size: 3 acres
Parking: Street parking available on side roads along the Phoenix Bike Trail
Facilities: None
Parking: Street parking available on side roads along the Phoenix Bike Trail
Facilities: None
A natural oasis hidden in the North End of New Bedford, Flora B. Peirce Nature Trail takes visitors on a tour of forest life.
Size: 148 acres
Parking: Roadside parking on Falmouth Street
Facilities: None
Parking: Roadside parking on Falmouth Street
Facilities: None
Walk through birdsong-filled woods to the edge of rich salt pond habitat at Flume Pond in Falmouth.
Size: 28.6 acres
Parking: Small parking area across Sippewissett Rd. at Kelly Woodland
Facilities: None
Parking: Small parking area across Sippewissett Rd. at Kelly Woodland
Facilities: None
From fishing to hiking to paddling, discover a variety of activities on this eight-acre Westport property.
Size: 7.8 acres
Parking: Small pull-off area along Forge Road, on north side of Forge Pond
Facilities: None
Parking: Small pull-off area along Forge Road, on north side of Forge Pond
Facilities: None
With beautiful harbor views, a sandy beach, and a historic coastal fort, Fort Phoenix is a treasure for local residents.
Size: 9.3 acres
Parking: Three medium/large paved parking lots
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Playground
Parking: Three medium/large paved parking lots
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Playground
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
Nestled along the Little River in Dartmouth, Frank Knowles/Little River Reserve offers miles of hiking trails.
Size: 194 acres
Parking: Small crushed-shell parking area; additional roadside parking
Facilities: None
Parking: Small crushed-shell parking area; additional roadside parking
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
Take a paddling adventure on the gorgeous Slocums River in Dartmouth from this small town-owned landing.
Parking: Small gravel parking area (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: None
Facilities: None