4.5Halibut Point State Park(755 reviews) - Lovely walk and views Sunday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Scramble across ledges scarred by the granite industry and examine tide pools teeming with marine life. See more..
4.5Walden Pond State Reservation(684 reviews) - Historically Significant Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • State Parks • Bodies of Water
In order to preserve the natural environment, visitors are limited at this site, where Thoreau wrote his famous essays.See more..
4.5National Monument to the Forefathers(618 reviews) - Magnificent! Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • State Parks • Monuments & Statues
Thought to be the largest solid granite monument in the United States, this 81-foot-tall granite statue was built to honor the passengers of the Mayflower. Boston sculptor Hammatt Billings designed the monument which features allegorical figures depicting the virtues of Faith, Morality, Education, Law, and Liberty. A dedication on the monument reads, “National Monument to the Forefathers. Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty.” The original design called for the monument to be nearly twice as tall at 150 feet (just under the Statue of Liberty’s height of 151 feet). The monument is free to visit and open to the public year-round. Its site is managed and maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and their furry companions (on a leash) to enjoy the monument's lawn.See more..
This National Park consists of 34 small islands just off shore in Boston Harbor. The most popular, George's Island, is home to Fort Warren, a Civil War Landmark that housed Confederate prisoners. Visitors to the 12 islands open for exploration can camp, kayak, tour lighthouses, ride harbor ferries, hike and swim.See more..
Acquired by the Commonwealth in 1898, the first state park in Massachusetts also contains the states highest peak at 3,419 feet.See more..
4.5Purgatory Chasm State Reservation(240 reviews) - Picture Perfect Hike State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Geologic Formations
Gorgeous views and fairly easy trails, some rocky areas may be difficult for some. Lots of loop options and we’ll marked trails. Only downside is very crowded and out of state parking is $20. We parked by 9am, when we came out at 11am there were no parking spaces at all.See more..
This is an amazing place. Some steep stairs so proceed with caution, but so worth it! The marble walls and power of the rushing water underneath the natural bridge is breathtaking. There is a visitor center with info and restrooms. Nice area for a picnic. You will not be disappointed!See more..
Pilgrim Memorial State Park is one of the most heavily visited state parks in Massachusets. Nearly one million people a year come from all over the world to visit the town where in 1620 Europeans first made a home in New England and to see Plymouth Rock. This simple boulder has become a world famous symbol. It symbolizes the courage of the men and women who founded the first New England colony as well as the contact of the European colonists and the Wampanoag People who lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. A landscaped waterfront park provides scenic views of Plymouth Harbor. The Mayflower II, a replica of the ship that brought the first Pilgrims to Massachusetts, is normally anchored at the park, however; she is currently undergoing a two year, $12 million restoration, and is expected to return in 2019. Park staff offer daily walking tours of the park from April through November at 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm as well as rock talks throughout the day.See more..
4.5Maudslay State Park(161 reviews) - Great park, lots of paths, peaceful with some great views State Parks
I rode my bike there, there's no bike racks unfortunately so I locked it to a street sign at the parking lot. Lots of great trails, some through the woods, some along the river, and some through remnants of gardens and past old building foundations. Beautiful and peaceful, it wasn't crowded at all on a Tuesday evening at sunset. I ran about 4 miles of trail and didn't cover it all, will definitely return!See more..
great place, lots of adventure here growing up as a kid. My family was the 2nd to enter when they opened in the 70's. We returned every summer as it was no further to work for Dad and the camping rates were cheaper than keeping the power on at home all summer. Miles of bike trails and several good fishing holes. The boy scouts used to jamboree in a remote area of the park away from the campground. As a kid I often ventured out on my bike for hours and though my folks put their trust in the chain-link fence that surrounds the park, I enjoyed much of the local towns as well.See more..
I spent the 4th of July at Ft Phoenix and it turned out to be an excellent choice. There were not many people there, so social distancing was no problem. Parking was plentiful and FREE. The ruins of the fort was interesting. I didn’t go into the water, so I can’t access that, but water shoes would be a good idea. Bathrooms were reasonably clean. I am sure there are better beaches in MA, places like Crane Island, but it requires advanced reservations and the last time I checked, it was booked up through July, so it does no good to have better beaches if you can’t go. I drove through Plum Island a few days before the 4th, late in the afternoon, and there was very little parking available. Anyone wanting to get outside, but away from crowds should consider aft Phoenix.See more..
4.5Mount Tom State Reservation(106 reviews) - Beautiful Park Great Day Trip! State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
We drove out here mid October from Eastern Mass. The foliage was unbelievable in the park, full peak. We arrived and drove by Bray Lake on the left. There were restrooms that were open. We drove further into the park, plenty of hiking trails. We parked (playground by the hiking area) and went to Goat Peak Observation. Short hike up, pretty easy and the last 10 mins is more uphill but still easy. When you get to the top, go to the right, there is an overlook with great views of the town below. The go to the left up the stairs to the Fire Tower stairs with an even better view of what's around. Drove back to Bray Lake, parked there and walked in the woods, a little confusing on where the trails go but we figure it out for the most part. Nice hike through the woods. Good day here, nice views, good hikes. Next time we will come early and hike Mt. Tom.See more..
Hiked the Bentley Loop trail today with 11, 12, 14 year olds. Took a couple hours including one stop to sit in the meadow and have a snack. Lots of up and down, trail gets steep in some areas but in a good way. Fairly well marked, we had to ask fellow hikers for direction a couple times. Great trail, enjoyed by everyone.See more..
This fort, which has magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean and Boston Harbor, was an integral spot for watching for the enemy during the Revolutionary War. Fort Revere Tower is worth climbing the winding stairs to the top, you will never see views like this anywhere else. Kids love playing in the area, there are spots to have a picnic lunch and an amphitheater where movies and concerts take place throughout the summer. Well worth the out of the way drive to see it. It's about 3-4 miles from Nantasket Beach.See more..
Our idea of camping is using flashlights in a dark hotel room but I must confess we had a pleasant experience especially when it was the first time we’ve ever camped as a family. If you don’t want to pitch a tent then I highly recommend Yurt #3 out of the 4 yurts that they have on site. Yurt 3 is the closest to the restrooms, has ample outdoor space with a couple of tables and a fire pit. I suppose the yurt is the “Ritz” of the campground as it has plenty of outlets, an oversized table sandwiched between the bunk beds, a lamp that brightens the whole yurt, and a fan. The mattresses were so so but you can’t be too fussy when you’re camping. Plenty of hiking trails and the lake was nice. The whole compound including the facilities were also super clean. Friendly and knowledgeable rangers as well.See more..
4.5Hopkinton State Park(75 reviews) - Great place to visit especially in these times of so much isolation Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM State Parks • Parks
This small state park is a breath of fresh air. One can choose to rent various small water craft, visit two small beaches, two nice picnic areas or hike around the lake. It's also a great are to visit with friends of family or on your own.See more..
4.5Skinner State Park(64 reviews) - Great views, lots of trails Sunday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM State Parks • Parks
We visited during a recent trip to the area and enjoyed the incredible views at the summit. We started at the Halfway Hike and it was too steep and incline for me so my finance hiked and I drove to the top. We arrived at the same time proving the hike to be a short one covering a lot of elevation. From the summit we could see as far as Hartford and had a nice view of Amherst and the surrounding mountains. See more..
4.0Callahan State Park(63 reviews) - Beautiful woods, poor condition though State Parks
I grew up walking in these woods. The quality of the woods has deteriorated. So many trees are dead and many have been blown over. Burning Bush, a non-native, is spreading like wildfire. (It has ununusual branches-almost like fins on the branches). This is a problem because the insects that live in this area do not feed on the Burning Bush. The BB takes up space that native plants otherwise would have used. So insects have less to feed on, so there are fewer of them, and in turn birds have less to feed on-so fewer birds. I don't know if all the dog poop from the masses of dogs dog walkers take here has an effect on the trees. It is a beautiful place, but it needs some TLC.See more..
As a Cambridge resident, I just discovered this sanctuary yesterday and have walked 15 miles in two days. (It’s amazing how people will find so many things to criticize when this place seems nearly perfect.) Yes, the trails aren’t difficult nor varied but nonetheless beautiful and quiet. I’ve seen more garter snakes than people so far in my 5 hours of walking. Today it was 90 degrees before noon and I still managed to stay in the shade by staying mostly in the forests and pine trails, enjoying the scent. I love the softness of the ground, walking, jogging, and yes even skipping over the pine needles. Pretty cows were grazing in the meadow by the road, looking happily bovine. I hope to go back tomorrow, maybe this time with my pup. What’s not to like?See more..
4.5DAR State Forest(53 reviews) - Great campground State Parks • Forests
Absolutely loved the campground. Plenty of trails to hike, great camp sites for rent and plenty of other activities to keep you occupied. The campground fee was cheap at $17 for MA residents. Just be mindful that they require you to buy their firewood.See more..
My teenage son and I had a beautiful day kayaking and swimming at Lake Dennison the Friday before Labor Day weekend. It was stunning. Sparkling clean water, blue herons, painted turtles, and friendly people at a not-crowded beach. I can’t wait to go here again!See more..
My husband and I had time to kill before checking into our hotel so we drove the 20 minutes here. We stayed for over 2 hours! Wonderful walk through a wooded area to the beachfront. We then looked at all the pretty and unique rocks the beach had to offer. At one point we happily say a couple of common terns as well as a lone female eider. Beautiful beach with the most amazing shades of water.See more..
In the late 1800s industries in the Blackstone River Valley used this canal to transport textiles between Providence and central Massachusetts.See more..
Day-use park offers consists of 811 acres of frontage on the Westfield River, offering a variety of outdoor recreation including bicycling paths, walking trails, mountain biking, fishing, canoeing and cross-country skiing.See more..
I think Demarest Lloyd Beach is absolutely Gorgeous. It has huge sandbars so it is perfect for little ones since the water in this area only gets between 2-3 feet (no waves) and the water is warmer. Terrific landscape and very serine. Great picnic areas too! If your looking for t-shirt stands, arcades and gift shops this is certainly not the place. If your looking a nice day to relax on the beach, then you found your place. Two thumbs way up!See more..
4.5Ashland State Park(27 reviews) - A nice place for a walk Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Bodies of Water • Hiking Trails
I've come here a few times with my friend and her dog. We've parked at the Community Center and also on the other side of the park on Spring Street near the boat launch. To do a loop around the reservoir is about 3 miles. There are a few geocaches hidden in the park, which I enjoyed finding. There is an entrance fee during the summer if you drive in from the Community Center to the swimming area, but you can avoid that by parking and walking.See more..
4.0Massasoit State Park(27 reviews) - Nice campground but felt a little uncomfortable. Spent More than 3 hours State Parks
First the bad. The day use part of the park has easy access to the campground. I felt uneasy at times with all the non-campers walking and biking through the campground even after dark. Now for the good. It's a very nice campground with sites that are not on top of each other. They are one of the few state parks in Mass that offer electric and water hookups. Beautiful lake and woods. Has a playground for the kids, but is in the day use area of the park. Staff is super friendly and I noticed that they do drive through often to check on everything.See more..
4.0Cochituate State Park(26 reviews) - Nice little beach for the kids to swim. State Parks
Stopped by after leaving the mall and saw folks paddle boarding... I was so jealous! Looks like you can kayak, canoe or learn to sail there.See more..
Great spot to make the most of your lunchtime in nature while remaining downtown! This state park also has the famous Holyoke Merry-Go-Round carousel that was formerly located at the old Mountain Park Amusement Park. Go for a spin! The Holyoke Children's Museum and the Volleyball Hall of Fame are also located in the park! They have special events so check out their websites and enjoy a weekend here!See more..
When we camp, we look forward to not seeing other campsites. This wasn't the case. The trees, while beautiful, have no underbrush so you can see pretty far in all directions (see pic). This is a family campground and most were very respectful when the sun went down. If we were going to stay here again, I'd reserve a site on the outside away from the yurt, maybe one site away from the bathrooms. Those sites are set pretty far back and were a lot more private. Overall? Meh.See more..
4.0Ames Nowell State Park(14 reviews) - Nice spot for Families Spent 1-2 hours State Parks • Forests
Ames Park is a beautiful park to visit. its tucked away near a residential area and if you are not local, you would not know its here. We were told about it because of our friends we stayed with. The park is very nice and quiet with lots of clean and well maintained trails. the main trail around the entire pond is fantastic and very long. There are lots of tables as well for folks to have picnics and spend time with families. The pond has lots of fish, so there are always people out fishing all around the lake. Lots of parking as well.See more..
4.5Dunn State Park(12 reviews) - Well maintained State Parks
We like coming here year round. Foliage is always beautiful, trails well maintained. Decent indoor bathrooms, there's a beach and grills for cooking out, play ground. Beautiful place to take photos! The trail around the lake is a pretty easy hike. Lots of parking. You have to pay to park these days, I think $5?See more..
I have run here quite frequently in both summer and winter. The route is roughly 5-6 miles if you don't take any side paths. It is relatively easy to follow the blazes, but not too terrible if you lose them. All you need to do is look for the lake. The terrain is about perfect for trail running. There are hills, but they are not terrible. The scenery is varied and pretty. Yes, at times you're effectively in somebody's back yard, but for the majority of the run, you' don't see houses, which is nice. For running, I suggest you park at the boat launch off of 135.See more..
Water park is small and shaded. Great place for small children in the summer. Nice hiking trails, not so good for carriages. See more..
4.5Fall River Heritage State Park(10 reviews) - Nice walk State Parks as long as it is not cloudy/rainy/snowing, the walk is excellent, winter or summer. View especially sunset are magnificent. See more..
Good place for hiking or mountain biking. Bring bug spray! Mostly shady in woods. Lots of trails makes it easy to plan loops of various lengths abs difficulties,See more..
This monument is very impressive, to get to the top one has to climb a spiral staircase. When we visited the National Park warden in attendance was an excellent source of information about the history of the area.See more..
5.0Douglas State Forest(6 reviews) - HIking!!! Spent More than 3 hours State Parks We had a wonderful time here. We came for the hiking wish we stayed for some swimming but it was very crowded on a 90+ degree saturday. We hiked the tri sate marker trail. We did and out and back because it was shorter than the loop and we had my 2 year old with me. The hike was still close to 5 miles and the 2 year old could not hang. My 9 year old however had absolutley no problem with this trail in fact she loved it. I would love to come back and do this trail again and also some other trails. I would also like to spend some time at the lake with the family!!!See more..
I went here a few months ago for the first time and enjoyed the fishing call a lot of blue Gill a lot too small to keep, but I enjoy fishing, so it was okSee more..
Very well kept. Great place to picnic,have cookouts, fish, and trails for hiking and dog walking. Be sure to go into the rock building and try to figure out who is responsible for the engravings (Portuguese, Phoenicians, Native Americans or Vikings) All kinds of great activities scheduled throughout the year. If you have any questions, just ask my mom - she's there every day walking the dog and is on the board of directors. See more..
Old railroad bed which makes for great skiing along a beautiful reservoir through the woods. A must do!!!See more..
4.5Wilson Mountain Reservation(3 reviews) - lovely spring hike--or anytime hike Spent 2-3 hours State Parks Wilson Mountain Reservation is owned by the state of Massachusetts for public recreation and as a protected woodland in Dedham, Massachusetts. It has several miles of trails through woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. In early May, we saw Lady Slippers and other wildflowers in bloom. Earlier vernal pools would have been active but not so lively by this time. Like most of nature, the trails vary with the season. Very gentle walk in the "wilderness" amidst bustling urban life.See more..
Sweets Knoll State Park is a new addition to the Taunton River Trail system. It features 56 acres to hike and a less than 10 minute walk to the banks of the River. The park is beautiful, well kept, and is a great place to picnic or launch kayaks. There most always wildlife to be seen. Great local hidden gem to explore!See more..
4.5Wendell State Forest(2 reviews) - Fantastic state park State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas It's a great resource that's underutilized, but that's a big part of its charm. Ruggles Pond is a great place to cool off in the summer, and there are plenty of walking trails in the forest, along with dirt roads that are shared with occasional vehicles. In the winter, it's great for cross-country skiing once there's snow, but note that they don't groom the trails.See more..
I loved this. There’s plenty of walking trials, so you’re not overlapping with anyone. It was so peaceful and serene. This was about an hour of a walk, maybe a little longer, but it wasn’t bad. Make sure you watch the line markers on the tree to follow the path and stay hydrated! There’s barrooms at the entrance, too. See more..
5.0H. O. Cook State Forest(2 reviews) - Appreciate finding it mentioned State Parks • Forests I grew up on the south end of Heath, my grandfather was in the CCC that planted it. There are no formal facilities but wilderness camping is possible, my family camped there several times as a kid. I remember a large area with trees and thick moss underfoot, a small stream nearby we used for refrigeration by submersing food in jars. A magical place, 20 minutes from where I live now. I hope to spend time there taking photos this summer. These categories are absurd.See more..
5.0Lookout Rock(1 review) - Super cool walk, not for the clumsy State Parks • Hiking Trails • Geologic Formations
Super cool view from the top of the rock, and many more land points along the wall. I would definitely recommend and you can bring your dog See more..
4.0Pearl Hill State Park(1 review) - Camping in Pearl Hill State Park State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Pearl Hill has a very nice campground with averaged size sites. Spent a couple week nights here so no weekend experience to share. Very quiet location far enough off the highway. I would recommend for tent camping anytime! If you’ve got a trailer the sites are going to be tight because of the number of trees. Big Rigs stay away! You’re going to have a rough time maneuvering. Nice main bathroom with free showers. Swimming area in a pond with picnic sites for day use. A little mucky and weedy as you would expect from a pond. The staff I met were outstanding and very helpful. See more..
2.0Lawrence Heritage State Park(1 review) - Down Hill State Parks It's not what it used to be. Benches are broken, no place to sit. Liquor bottles and used needles all over the area. Very sad indeed. See more..
