The Buzzards Bay region extends far beyond the Bay’s shores. And one of the best ways for you to explore it is also the simplest: Take a walk! Hiking doesn’t require any special equipment, and it’s fun for all ages. From walks along the beach to hikes through the woods, Buzzards Bay has hundreds of places for you to discover on foot.
Discover woods, wetlands, and wildlife on the easy loop trail at Rounseville II Preserve in Rochester.
Size: 48.3 acres
Parking: Large gravel parking area by ball fields
Facilities: None
Parking: Large gravel parking area by ball fields
Facilities: None
With spectacular open-water views, the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail is the best route to tour New Bedford's scenic South End.
Size: 3.5 miles
Parking: Large paved parking lots at Hazelwood Park, Fort Taber Park, and East Beach; small paved parking area at New Bedford Harbor Walk; street parking along East Rodney French Boulevard and West Rodney French Boulevard
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash
Parking: Large paved parking lots at Hazelwood Park, Fort Taber Park, and East Beach; small paved parking area at New Bedford Harbor Walk; street parking along East Rodney French Boulevard and West Rodney French Boulevard
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash
Feel immersed in deep pine woodlands at this town-owned picnic area and trail in Carver.
Size: 33 acres
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas (space for 3-4 cars) along Savery Avenue
Facilities: Trash, Picnic Tables
Parking: Two small unpaved parking areas (space for 3-4 cars) along Savery Avenue
Facilities: Trash, Picnic Tables
Stretching for nearly a mile, Shaw Farm Trail offers hikers a place to explore Nasketucket Bay’s coastal farms and forests.
Size: 0.9 miles
Parking: Street parking on Shaw Road in Fairhaven; Large unpaved parking area at Nasketucket Bay State Reservation
Facilities: None
Parking: Street parking on Shaw Road in Fairhaven; Large unpaved parking area at Nasketucket Bay State Reservation
Facilities: None
With sandy shores and a grassy park, Shell Point Beach is a perfect destination to explore Wareham’s coastal scenery.
Size: 1.6 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot; fee to park May 1 to October 1
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking lot; fee to park May 1 to October 1
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
Take a journey of discovery down the Shining Sea Bikeway, a 10.7-mile paved bike path through Falmouth.
Size: 10.7 miles
Parking: Gravel parking areas on County Road, Old Dock Road, Depot Avenue, Woods Hole Road, and Oyster Pond Road
Facilities: Restrooms (portable), Picnic Tables, Trash
Parking: Gravel parking areas on County Road, Old Dock Road, Depot Avenue, Woods Hole Road, and Oyster Pond Road
Facilities: Restrooms (portable), Picnic Tables, Trash
Swimming, paddling, quahogging, crabbing – Shining Tides Beach truly offers it all for Mattapoisett residents.
Size: 4 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area; parking pass required in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Picnic Table
Parking: Small unpaved parking area; parking pass required in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Picnic Table
Shipyard Farm in Fairhaven packs a scenic punch in its short trail across farmland to serene Nasketucket Bay.
Size: 53 acres
Parking: Small roadside parking area near entrance sign
Facilities: None
Parking: Small roadside parking area near entrance sign
Facilities: None
This farm and forest along the Mattapoisett River in Rochester was preserved for birds — and explorers like you!
Size: 79.74
Parking: Roadside parking along New Bedford Road
Facilities: Picnic table
Parking: Roadside parking along New Bedford Road
Facilities: Picnic table
With pretty views and peaceful waters, Silvershell Beach is a favorite summer spot for families in Marion.
Size: 2 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; Marion or Rochester resident privilege sticker required to park at all times
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Playground
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; Marion or Rochester resident privilege sticker required to park at all times
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Playground
Known for its educational signs, this Little Compton reserve is popular among hunters, hikers, paddlers, and curious young explorers.
Size: 433 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area on Coldbrook Road; small unpaved parking area on John Dyer Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area on Coldbrook Road; small unpaved parking area on John Dyer Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Soak up the spectacular natural beauty of the Slocums River at the Slocum’s River Reserve in South Dartmouth.
Size: 47 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small unpaved parking area
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Smith Farm offers a peek at Dartmouth's coastal habitats, from forested swamps and ponds to scenic salt marshes.
Size: 140 acres
Parking: Small dirt roadside parking area on Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small dirt roadside parking area on Smith Neck Road
Facilities: None
Swim, soak up the sun, cast out a fishing line, or take a long walk along the rock-scattered shore at this Little Compton beach.
Size: 9.6 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Kayak launch (shoreline), RV camping with town permit
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Kayak launch (shoreline), RV camping with town permit
Star of the Sea Reserve shines as a quiet place to explore forests and wetlands on Apponagansett Bay in Dartmouth.
Size: 43.75 acres
Parking: Roadside parking by trailhead (marked with boulders)
Facilities: None
Parking: Roadside parking by trailhead (marked with boulders)
Facilities: None
The mixture of sand and grass along Swifts Neck Beach give this cozy neighborhood beach in Wareham a natural feel.
Size: 2.1 acres
Parking: Two large paved parking lots; fee to park May 1 to October 1
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Two large paved parking lots; fee to park May 1 to October 1
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Restrooms (seasonal)
In the heart of the Mattapoisett River valley lies The Bogs, an oasis of forests, freshwater swamps, and cranberry bogs.
Size: 212 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area on Acushnet Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area on Acushnet Road
Facilities: None
Catch a breathtaking sunset over Buzzards Bay from the protected shores at The Knob in Falmouth.
Size: 12 acres
Parking: Limited parking at the end of Quissett Harbor Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Limited parking at the end of Quissett Harbor Road
Facilities: None
The tall, rocky outcropping and panoramic water views at The Knubble beach in Westport are a treasure for local residents.
Size: 5 acres
Parking: Limited parking in designated areas (the easternmost end of Beach Avenue is periodically closed); resident beach sticker required year-round
Facilities: None
Parking: Limited parking in designated areas (the easternmost end of Beach Avenue is periodically closed); resident beach sticker required year-round
Facilities: None
At the edge of New Bedford’s urban North End sits The Sawmill, a 19-acre former lumber yard on the Acushnet River.
Size: 19 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area; additional on-street parking
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch, Learning Center (limited hours)
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area; additional on-street parking
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch, Learning Center (limited hours)
