Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Massachusetts, United States
4.5 (33 reviews) Spent 1-2 hours Ranking #11 in Concord Nature & Wildlife Areas
Beautiful Location for a Nature Hike
I hiked here on my recent trip to Concord. I hiked the dike trail and it was a gorgeous day! If you go early in the day, you're more likely to see a variety of birds. The trail is mostly flat, although there is a small segment that goes through the woods. There is a nominal fee at the parking lot (think it was $4) but it wasn't very crowded when I arrived and only saw 5 or 6 people while there. I highly recommend this trail and will definitely visit again next time I'm in the area.
Address
Monsen Road, Concord, MA 01742
Mobile
Website
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/great
Current local date and time now
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 18:26
User Ratings
4.5 based on (33 reviews)
Excellent
70%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Reviews
-
4Edyta O 5:00 PM Apr 5, 2020
Wetland nature retreat
We frequently come to Great Meadows in Concord for a nature walk and to take pictures. There is a nice trail around large portion of the pond, which is covered with marshes and blooming lotuses in the summer and is rich with wetland birds, butterflies, beavers, muskrats and waterfowl. There are also 2 shorter trails through the woods (Edge Trail and Timber Trail). Central path leads from parking lot on Monsen Road to Concord River and bypasses a small observation deck. Several benches are dispersed along the paths. Trails are easy, flat, frequently wet if you visit after rains. This place has many local visitors, people with dogs and families with children come here often. Photographers and birdwatchers love it also. A cute attraction for kids would be the tower located at the parking lot which allows to view the area from elevation, we actually saw a beaver swimming in the marshes from that tower. Parking is free but space is limited, there are clean well maintained restrooms but not open during winter and early spring although we found a port-a-potty instead, well equipped with hand sanitizer. Alternative parking can be found along Monsen Rd itself. Highly recommended!
-
4Gene R J 5:00 PM Jun 6, 2021
Peaceful natural escape surrounded by suburban estates.
We visited here this warm morning to walk the trails. At the observation deck of the huge freshwater wetland, we were shocked to learn that this watershed became a Superfund site in 1983. The upstream Nyanza Color and Chemical Co. discharged effluents from 1917-1978. You wouldn't know it today, as the area is so pristine with birds, squirrels and chipmunks among the mixed hardwoods and tall pines. Loved the boardwalks.
