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.
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
Find surprising beauty in the old woodlands beside Great Quittacas Pond on this Middleborough trail.
Size: 35 acres
Parking: Two small dirt parking areas on either side of Long Point Rd.
Facilities: None
Parking: Two small dirt parking areas on either side of Long Point Rd.
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)
Picnic in a bird-filled meadow or launch a kayak to explore beautiful marshes at this hidden gem in Lakeville.
Size: 49 acres
Parking: Large paved parking area on west side of circular drive
Facilities: Kayak Launch, Picnic Tables
Parking: Large paved parking area on west side of circular drive
Facilities: Kayak Launch, Picnic Tables
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)
Explore the Cape Cod Canal from Tidal Flats Recreation Area in Bourne, located at the foot of the iconic railroad bridge.
Parking: Two medium-sized paved parking areas
Facilities: Trash, Picnic Table, Restrooms (seasonal)
Facilities: Trash, Picnic Table, Restrooms (seasonal)
Tinkhamtown Woodlands and neighboring Woodcock Preserve include over 100 acres in the Mattapoisett River Reserve.
Size: 107 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area on Long Plain Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area on Long Plain Road
Facilities: None
History and nature abound at Tripps Mill, a scenic trail and fishing spot on Tinkham Pond in Mattapoisett.
Size: 212 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area on Acushnet Road
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area on Acushnet Road
Facilities: None
Explore woods and wetlands along the Sippican River at Tweedy and Barnes in Wareham.
Size: 25 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area; additional roadside parking
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area; additional roadside parking
Facilities: None
Part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, Watuppa Reservation is a gateway to an expanse of protected forests.
Size: 4,800 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking areas on Blossom Road south of reservation headquarters, and on Indian Town Road at Copicut Woods
Facilities: Bicycle Rack
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking areas on Blossom Road south of reservation headquarters, and on Indian Town Road at Copicut Woods
Facilities: Bicycle Rack
Discover island adventures on the untamed shores of the Weepecket Islands, a small island chain north of Naushon.
Parking: None
Facilities: Kayak launch (shoreline)
Facilities: Kayak launch (shoreline)
Seek out a rich array of plants and wildflowers among woods and old agricultural remnants at Wernick Farm in Dartmouth.
Size: 62 acres
Parking: Two small unpaved parking lots (space for 2-3 cars each)
Facilities: None
Parking: Two small unpaved parking lots (space for 2-3 cars each)
Facilities: None
West Beach in New Bedford is well-known for its clear, calm waters, where families can splash and play on Clarks Cove.
Parking: Roadside parking open 6am-9pm; additional parking in Hazelwood Park
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Bicycle Rack, Trash
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Bicycle Rack, Trash
Walk peaceful trails beneath a bird-filled canopy in this coastal forest on the north shore of Martha’s Vineyard.
Size: 90 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking area down the dirt road off Franklin Street
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Benches
Parking: Small unpaved parking area down the dirt road off Franklin Street
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Benches
