If you’re an equestrian, you might be looking for some places to ride that get you out of the ring and into nature. Look no further! Many hiking and biking trails around Buzzards Bay are also horse-friendly, and offer varied terrain that will engage and challenge both you and your equine pal. As you’re enjoying ocean views, deep woods, and serene ponds from your saddle, just ensure you’re following posted regulations, as some trails are only partially open to horseback riding.
An array of stunning habitats fit into a small package at this Fairhaven preserve, featuring fields, forests, and wetlands.
Size: 61 acres
Parking: Street parking on the south side of Shaw Rd. next to the Carvalho Farm field
Facilities: None
Parking: Street parking on the south side of Shaw Rd. next to the Carvalho Farm field
Facilities: None
Part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, Copicut Woods in Fall River showcases unique natural features.
Size: 516 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area on Indian Town Road; small unpaved parking areas on Yellow Hill Road and Copicut Road
Facilities: Picnic Tables
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area on Indian Town Road; small unpaved parking areas on Yellow Hill Road and Copicut Road
Facilities: Picnic Tables
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
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
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
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
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
This diverse paradise of woods, wetlands, and salt marshes in Plymouth shelters rare sea-run brook trout in Red Brook.
Size: 210 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Picnic Tables, Trash
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Picnic Tables, Trash
With over 12,000 acres to hike, bike, fish, camp, and hunt, you'll never run out of ways to have fun at Myles Standish in Carver.
Size: 12,400 acres
Parking: Several paved parking areas throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash, Visitor Center
Parking: Several paved parking areas throughout forest
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Trash, Visitor Center
Nasketucket Bay State Reservation's 200 acres of coastal forests in Mattapoisett are a treasure for all ages.
Size: 371 acres
Parking: Large gravel parking lot
Facilities: Picnic table
Parking: Large gravel parking lot
Facilities: Picnic table
Discover a peaceful beech tree forest and remarkable freshwater views at New Bedford Waterworks, part of the protected Assawompset Pond Complex.
Size: 842 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved lot at the North Rochester Congregational Church (near entrance gate R10); roadside parking at any fire road entrance gate (R1-18) not marked “no admittance” (do not block gates/fire lanes)
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved lot at the North Rochester Congregational Church (near entrance gate R10); roadside parking at any fire road entrance gate (R1-18) not marked “no admittance” (do not block gates/fire lanes)
Facilities: None
Walk through lush forest scattered with old stone walls in the woodlands of this former camp in Westport.
Size: 20.7 acres
Parking: Small dirt parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small dirt parking area
Facilities: None
Discover one of Cape Cod’s oldest farms at Peterson Farm in Falmouth, a working farm with grazing sheep alongside miles of trails through fields and forest.
Size: 88 acres
Parking: Small parking area at the end of unnamed road off McCallum Drive
Facilities: Trash
Parking: Small parking area at the end of unnamed road off McCallum Drive
Facilities: Trash
Centrally located in New Bedford Harbor, this marina provides protected waters with convenient access to Buzzards Bay.
Parking: Large paved parking area
Facilities: Pier/Floating Docks (wood), Wharf, Dinghy/Kayak Storage, Restrooms (private), Showers (private), Trash, Picnic Table(s), Bike Rack, Playground, Water, Ice, Launch Service
Facilities: Pier/Floating Docks (wood), Wharf, Dinghy/Kayak Storage, Restrooms (private), Showers (private), Trash, Picnic Table(s), Bike Rack, Playground, Water, Ice, Launch Service
Hilly wooded uplands at this Dartmouth preserve capture the natural spirit of nearby Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.
Size: 210 acres
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Small gravel parking area
Facilities: None
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