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.
The Gifford Street Boat Ramp provides boaters and paddlers with easy access to the protected waters of inner New Bedford Harbor.
Parking: Large paved parking area (parking for vehicles with trailers only)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Launch, Dinghy Storage
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak Launch, Dinghy Storage
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
Families flock to Goodwill Park in Falmouth to enjoy grassy lawns and sandy beach along the cool waters of Grews Pond.
Size: 86 acres
Parking: Three free parking areas on Goodwill Park Road
Facilities: Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Grills, Trash, Pavilion, Playground
Parking: Three free parking areas on Goodwill Park Road
Facilities: Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Grills, Trash, Pavilion, Playground
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)
Escape the crowds for windswept dunes and crashing waves at Little Compton's Goosewing Beach Preserve.
Size: 75 acres
Parking: Large paved lot at South Shore Beach; fee to park, Memorial Day – Labor Day
Facilities: Learning Center (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved lot at South Shore Beach; fee to park, Memorial Day – Labor Day
Facilities: Learning Center (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
Great Rock Bight Preserve offers a secluded beach great swimming, sunbathing, surfcasting and sunsets, plus other habitat treasures.
Size: 28.5 acres
Parking: Medium-sized, unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized, 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
Discover Plymouth’s peaceful ponds and woodlands by foot or canoe at Halfway Pond Conservation Area.
Size: 409.6 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking areas on Mast Road and at the intersection of Gallows Pond Road and West Long Point Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small unpaved parking areas on Mast Road and at the intersection of Gallows Pond Road and West Long Point Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
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
Hamlin Crossing’s peaceful wildflower meadow and quiet woods in Acushnet are a perfect place for a short, refreshing walk.
Size: 9 acres
Parking: Small roadside parking area on Hamlin Street across from entrance
Parking: Small roadside parking area on Hamlin Street across from entrance
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
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
Set on a hill overlooking Clarks Cove, Hazelwood Park is a destination for outdoor recreation in New Bedford's South End.
Size: 23 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Trash, Picnic Table(s), Playground
Parking: Large paved parking lot
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Trash, Picnic Table(s), Playground
Head of Westport Town Landing is a quaint spot for paddlers to begin a journey down the Westport River East Branch.
Size: 2 acres
Parking: Small unpaved roadside parking area on Drift Road; Small unpaved parking area off Old County Road; Additional street parking on Old County Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small unpaved roadside parking area on Drift Road; Small unpaved parking area off Old County Road; Additional street parking on Old County Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
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
Launch from Hen Cove Landing in Pocasset to reach Red Brook Harbor, one of Cape Cod’s favorite boating destinations.
Parking: 2-3 parking spaces for vehicles and trailers; additional vehicle parking at Hen Cove Beach
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Pier (wood)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Pier (wood)
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