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.
Set on the upper East Branch of the Westport River, Hix Bridge Landing is a place to launch a boat or kayak into the river.
Size: Dawn to dusk
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot (vehicles and trailers); resident permit required to park
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Dock (wood/floating)
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot (vehicles and trailers); resident permit required to park
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Dock (wood/floating)
Called a “fisherman’s paradise," Hoppy’s Landing on West Island in Fairhaven is your gateway to Buzzards Bay.
Parking: Large crushed-shell parking area (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Pier (wood), Restrooms, Trash
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Pier (wood), Restrooms, Trash
With two miles of sand and surf, the 600-acre Horseneck Beach State Reservation is a recreational paradise in Westport.
Size: 600 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lots
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables
Parking: Large paved parking lots
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables
Discover Massachusetts' maritime history at Westport's Horseneck Point Life-Saving Station, one of the last of its kind in the state.
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking lot across East Beach Rd.
Facilities: Learning Center, Restrooms (seasonal)
Facilities: Learning Center, Restrooms (seasonal)
Discover Buzzards Bay’s largest freshwater river at Horseshoe Mill, part of the growing Weweantic River Reserve in Wareham.
Size: 34 acres
Parking: Medium-sized parking area at the end of Station Street
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized parking area at the end of Station Street
Facilities: None
For a short walk with big views, grab your camera or binoculars and head to Howland Marsh in Marion.
Size: 8.9 acres
Parking: Roadside parking
Facilities: None
Parking: Roadside parking
Facilities: None
Dartmouth's Howland Reserve offers visitors a taste of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve without the vast size.
Size: 25 acres
Parking: Limited roadside parking along the west side of North Hixville Road across from gas easement and trailhead
Facilities: None
Parking: Limited roadside parking along the west side of North Hixville Road across from gas easement and trailhead
Facilities: None
Explore a coastal salt pond and rolling glacial forests through Kelly Woodlands, a gateway to vibrant Cape Cod habitats.
Size: 3 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 4-5 cars)
Facilities: None
Parking: Small unpaved parking area (space for 4-5 cars)
Facilities: None
Hike gentle inclines among whimsically twisted trees and glacial boulders at Falmouth's Kettle Holes Conservation Area.
Size: 220 acres
Parking: Small pull-off next to wastewater facility road (space for 1 car); large paved parking lot at the ice rink on Technology Park Drive
Facilities: None
Parking: Small pull-off next to wastewater facility road (space for 1 car); large paved parking lot at the ice rink on Technology Park Drive
Facilities: None
With a spring vernal pool jam-packed with wildlife, Rochester’s charming Kirby Preserve is truly is a hidden gem to discover.
Size: 3.8 acres
Parking: Roadside parking by trailhead
Facilities: None
Parking: Roadside parking by trailhead
Facilities: None
Escape the bustle of summer crowds on the quiet shores of Knowles Beach in Dartmouth.
Parking: Unpaved roadside parking along Smith Neck Road (space for 6-7 cars)
Facilities: None
Facilities: None
Take a short but fascinating walk through a salt marsh and red cedar forest at the Knowles Reserve in Dartmouth.
Size: 29.5 acres
Parking: Roadside parking along Smith Neck Road and West Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Roadside parking along Smith Neck Road and West Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
With nearly 50 acres of meadows and forests on the Acushnet River, LaPalme Farm celebrates Acushnet’s pastoral charm.
Size: 47 acres
Parking: Limited street parking at the end of Blain Street
Facilities: None
Parking: Limited street parking at the end of Blain Street
Facilities: None
Whether by foot or on a kayak, make time to explore the sandy, protected shores of Lawrence Island in Cataumet.
Size: 7 acres
Parking: There is no parking lot provided at this property. For access to the trail, limited parking is available along Grassland Lane.
Facilities: None
Parking: There is no parking lot provided at this property. For access to the trail, limited parking is available along Grassland Lane.
Facilities: None
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
