Massachusetts has many, many fishing location, both salt- and fresh-water

Everyone age 15 and older is required to have a license to fish the freshwaters of Massachusetts. All fishing licenses are valid from January 1 to December 31. License costs are $27.50 for residents above age 17 and $11.50 for residents between age 15 and 17.

Non-resident fishing licenses cost $37.50 for a year. Three-day non-resident fishing licenses cost $23.50 for people above age 17 and $11.50 for people between the ages of 15 and 17. Licenses can be purchased online or at most town halls, the local bait shops and at designated retail stores.Anyone younger than 15 years old may fish in fresh waters without a license. More information at the state Department of Fish and Game website.

There is no license requirement for recreational saltwater angling, but a commercial permit is required if fish are to be sold. Recreational shellfishing is permitted in designated clean areas and regulated by the individual Towns. Contact the local town department of Natural Resources for local regulations. For saltwater fishing information, see the Division of Marine Fisheries website. For more information contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife at 508-389-6300.

Massachusetts Tide Charts

Berkshires/Pioneer Valley/Mohawk Trail Cape Cod Central Massachusetts/Sturbridge
Greater Boston and Cambridge North of Boston/Merrimack Valley South of Boston/Plymouth
Berkshires/Pioneer Valley/Mohawk Trail top of listings

Beartown State Forest

69 Bluehill Road Monterey, MA 01245 Phone: 413-528-0904

Beartown State Forest is open year-round. During the warm months Benedict Pond attracts swimmers, boaters, and fishermen. A network of trails on 12,000 acres offers visitors a chance to see animals, brooks, beaver ponds, forests, and fall foliage. Open in winter for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Hiking on the 1.5-mile Benedict Pond Loop Trail in any season. Year-round camping available.
Unguarded swimming is available at designated area only. Pets on leash are permitted. Non-motorized boating at Benedict Pond day-use area. All Terrain Vehicles are permitted from May 1 through November. Snowmobiling is available, with parking at Benedict Pond day-use area. Park hours: Sunrise until sunset. Parking is $5 per vehicle, May through mid-October.
Boat ramp: Small concrete ramp, concrete pad ramp system or gravel ramp designed for smaller boats and parking for boat trailers. Fish species: Largemouth bass and pickerel.

Brimfield State Forest

86 Dearth Hill Road Brimfield, MA Phone: 413-267-9687

This rolling, heavily forested property has over 20 miles of roads and trails and is used primarily for hiking, walking, horseback riding and fishing. Dean Pond Recreation Area, located in the western portion of Brimfield State Forest, has a pavilion, comfort station, 100 linear feet of beach and picnic facilities. The roads are popular for equestrian use and related special events. Accessible Restrooms. Recreational uses: fishing, group day use, horseback riding trails, hunting (with restrictions), mountain biking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, swimming, walking trails. Headquarters and Dean Pond Recreation Area are located off of Route 20 in south-central Mass

C.M. Gardner Park

Route 112 Huntington, MA Phone: 413-354-6347

This small 29-acre park offers canoeing, fishing, and swimming areas. Riverside picnicking is available.

Chester-Blandford State Forest

Route 20 Chester, MA Phone: 413-354-6347

Chester-Blandford State Forest offers a rustic park experience and spectacular Sanderson Brook Falls. Boulder Park features an easy interpretive trail and pavilion. Hike up an easy grade for a mile to see the cascade at Sanderson Brook Falls; hike the Newman Marsh Memorial Trail to the top of Observation Hill. Forest is open year-round, sunrise to sunset. Access is free. Limited number RV sites. Carry-in, carry-out all trash. Be aware of bears. Pets permitted on a leash. Motorized off-road vehicles prohibited. Swimming prohibite at Sanderson Brook Falls. Recreational uses: fishing, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, walking trails.

Chesterfield Gorge

River Road Chesterfield, MA Phone: 413-532-1631

This dramatic rock canyon features 70-foot-high walls carved by centuries of rushing water from the Westfield River. Fromm the half-mile trail along the cliff tops are breathtaking views of the gorge, the river, and the surrounding forest of hemlock, ash, and oak, and is home to bears, bobcats, and turkeys. A half-mile trail runs along the top of the Gorge. Easy walking. The trail from the parking lot connects to the East Branch Trail (also known as River Road), popular with day hikers and mountain bikers, which follows the river another seven miles, beyond Bliss State Forest. Trout fishing. Hours: Daily, April 1 to December 1, 8 a.m. to sunset. Facilities: Seasonal public restrooms. Picnic tables.

Chicopee Memorial State Park

Burnett Road Chicopee, MA Phone: 413-594-9416

Chicopee State Park, formerly the Cooley Brook Reservoir and Watershed has been developed as a high use active recreation area. The total acreage is 575 acres including a 25-acre pond. Activities include swimming, fishing and picnicking. Recreational uses: accessible beaches, accessible restrooms, fishing, group day use, picnicking, restrooms, scenic viewing area, swimming, walking trails.

Clarksburg State Park

1199 Middle Road Clarksburg, MA Phone: 413-664-8345

Park has areas for canoeing, swimming, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and public camping. The park features Mauserts Pond and an unspoiled forest offering scenic views.

Connecticut River Greenway State Park

136 Damon Road at Route 9 Northampton, MA Phone: 413-586-8706, ext. 12

The Connecticut River Greenway connects open spaces, parks, scenic vistas, and archaeological and historic sites along the length of the Connecticut River as it passes through the state. There are over 12 miles of permanently protected shoreline, and numerous access points to the river (listed below). Several larger properties such as Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation, Norwottuck Rail Trail, and the Great Falls Discovery Center (located in Turner's Falls) provide added visitor amenities.
Park Map
River Access Points:
Pauchaug, Northfield: one mile north of Northfield Center on Route 63. Paved parking area and ramp. The boat ramp can accommodate canoes, fishing boats, recreational motorboats.
Barton Cove, Gill: 1.5 miles east of Turner’s Falls on Rte 2. Paved parking and ramp. Recreational motorboats, canoes, fishing boats.
Sunderland: canoe and fishing access managed by the town of Sunderland. At the end of School Street on the north side of Sunderland Bridge. Limited parking.
Hatfield: one mile north of Hatfield Center. Shallow draft lightweight boats and canoes.
Elwell Recreation Area, Northampton: Damon Road at Route 9 and I-91. Canoe and rowing access only. Paved access ramp to a wheelchair accessible dock on the river. Limited parking.
Oxbow Ramp, Easthampton: take Route I-91 to exit 18 south on Route 5 in Easthampton. Thirty-five parking spaces and a paved ramp. Customary use by high powered recreational craft and larger fishing boats.
South Hadley/Chicopee Boat Access: James Street at the South Hadley/Chicopee town line downstream from the Holyoke Dam. Six to eight parking spaces and gravel ramp. Shallow draft fishing boats. Popular during shad fishing season.
Chicopee Boat Access, Chicopee: one half mile off Route 116 on Melina Street. Thirty-two parking spaces and a surfaced ramp. Shallow, moderate and deep draft recreational and fishing boats. Easy canoe and rowing shell access.

D.A.R. State Forest

Route 112 Goshen, MA Phone: 413-268-7098

This public forest includes Upper and Lower Highland Lakes, with a swimming beach, picnic area, and group picnic pavilion. There are 15 miles of mixed-use trails through the forest. The campground offers 51 wooded campsites with showers and a private beach. Wheelchair accessible campsites available. Summer activities include: paddling, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Winter activities are ice fishing, skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Open: year-round, sunrise until sunset. A $5 fee per vehicle from Memorial Day through mid-September. Camping from mid-May through mid-October. Off-season camping October through April. All facilities accessible to handicapped. Guarded Swimming is available at the day-use area. Unguarded swimming is available at campers-only beach. Pets are permitted except on the sandy beach area. Non-motorized boating is available. Snowmobiling is available, conditions permitting. Parking at day-use area parking lot off Route 112.

Erving State Forest

Laurel Lake Road Erving, MA

This forest provides a wide variety of recreational pursuits including, boating, swimming and fishing at Laurel Lake with its beautiful, brick-lined lakeshore, camping, picnicking, hunting, horseback riding and winter sports. The woodlands are interlaced by 8 miles of forest roads, and numerous trails lead to points of scenic interest.
Recreational opportunities: swimming, boating (all types), boat ramp, camping, canoeing, fishing, group day use, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), interpretive program, mountain biking, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), walking trails.

Granville State Forest

323 West Hartland Road Granville, MA 01034 Phone: 413-357-6611

This extensive rolling terrain was once the hunting and fishing ground of the Tunxis tribe, later becoming open farmland and pastures; now it is reverting into a northern hardwood-conifer forest. Enjoy a walk along the Hubbard River as it cascades through natural rock formations forming pools and waterfalls, dropping a rapid 450 feet in 2.5 miles. Recreation at Granville includes a wooded camping area with toilet and shower facilities. Other popular activities include bird watching, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, and mountain biking. Swimming is prohibited.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Access is free. Camping season is late May through mid-October. Sites available for RVs up to 35 feet long. No hook-ups or trailer waste station are available. Wheelchair-accessible sites are available. Pets are permitted on a leash. Motorized off-road vehicles, alcoholic beverages, picnicking and swimming are pronibited.

Hampton Ponds State Park

1048 North Road Westfield, MA Phone: 413-532-3985

Located in the City of Westfield, Hampton Pond State Park offers water based recreation activities and picnicking.
Recreational opportunities: Beaches, Restrooms, boating (all types), boat ramp, canoeing, fishing, picnicking, swimming.

Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest

Route 8A Hawley, MA 01339 Phone: 413-339-5504

This 7,882-acre forest features programs for visitors, in addition to fishing, swimming, and picnic areas. There are snowmobiling, horse, hiking, and cross-country ski trails. A public campground is available.

Lake Lorraine State Park

44 Lake Drive Springfield, MA Phone: 413-543-6628

This small two-acre park offers fishing and swimming on Lake Lorraine. There is a picnic area. It also is a regional boating safety-training center.

Mohawk Trail State Forest

175 Mohawk Trail / Route 2 Charlemont, MA 01339 Phone: 413-339-5504

More than 6,000 acres of mountain ridges, deep gorges and tall old-growth trees support a diversity of plant and animal life. Fifty-six wooded campsites are available seasonally, and six overnight log cabins are available year-round.Discover miles of rivers and streams for excellent trout fishing, a swimming area, and a day-use picnic area. Open: Year-round, sunrise to sunset. A $5 fee per vehicle charged from May through mid-October. Camping season is mid-April through mid-October. Cabins are available year-round. Recreational vehicles are permitted on designated sites. Off-season camping is available. Pets are permitted on tent sites only, on leash. Motorized off-road vehicles prohibited.

Monroe State Forest

Tilda Hill Road Monroe, MA Phone: 413-339-5504

This park is ideal for fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The park is known for its scenic beauty. A public campground is available.

Mount Everett State Reservation

Mount Everett Road Mount Washington, MA Phone: 413-528-0330

A cluster of parks noted for their spectacular scenery and stunning views The Dome of Mount Everett in this 1,356-acre state reservation. Seasonal road access and parking is available to the Guilder Pond day-use area. From there, a 0.75-mile path leads to the top of Mount Everett. At the 2,624-foot summit is a breathtaking panorama of Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. Picnicking is available at Guilder Pond which features a spectacular display of blooming mountain laurel and azalea in the spring. The Appalachian Trail winds its way along the ridgeline and through Sage's Ravine.
The park is open year-round, sunrise to sunset year-round. Access is free. Parking is permitted in designated areas only. No services are available. Carry-in, carry-out all belongings and trash. Never physically confront, feed, torment or throw anything at bears. Rattlesnakes reside here. Never approach, handle, provoke or move snakes. Take precautions to avoid ticks. Check for ticks at regular intervals. Pets are permitted. Must be on a 10-foot maximum leash. Motorized off-road vehicles and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Mount Tom State Reservation

125 Reservation Road Holyoke, MA Phone: 413-534-1186

Mount Tom boasts an unparalleled view of the Connecticut Valley north and south, the Berkshire mountains to the west and the Pelham hills to the east. This 2,082-acre facility offers 20 miles of hiking and walking trails; picnicking; canoeing and fishing on Lake Bray; and cross country skiing and ice skating in the winter; and a children's play area. Lake Bray is a small water body of less than 10 acres. The Oxbow, located two miles north of the Route 5 entrance to the park, is an alternative site for boating. This is one of New England’s best hawk watching spots.
Recreational opportunities: accessible fishing, accessible hiking trails, accessible vista, accessible restrooms, canoeing, group day use, picnicking, skiing (cross-country), visitors center, walking trails

Mount Washington State Forest

143 East Street South Egremont, MA, MA Phone: 413-528-0330

Amid the red oak-northern hardwood forest, the 4,169-acre Mount Washington State Forest offers 30 miles of trails over rugged terrain and wilderness camping. Hike the South Taconic Trail to the 2,250-foot summit of Alander Mountain. Or follow the Appalachian Trail as it winds its way along the ridgeline and through Sage's Ravine. Springtime features include blooming mountain laurel and azalea; and in summer, a carpet of ferns.
Recreational opportunities: wilderness camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), walking trails.
The forest is open year-round, from sunrise until sunset. Access is free. Parking is limited to the designated lot at the park headquarters on East Streeet. Wilderness camping is available year round, first-come, first-served, no fee required. Limit up to 5 people at each site. Leave No Trace outdoor ethics are strongly encouraged. You are in Black Bear country. Never physically confront, feed, torment or throw anything at bears. Motorized off-road vehicles, snowmobiles and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Natural Bridge State Park

McCauley Road, off Route 8 North Adams, MA Phone: 413663-6392

This 48-acre park has the only naturally formed white marble arch and man-made white marble dam in North America. The bridge spans Hudson Brook as it twists and tumbles through a steep 60-foot deep gorge. There is an abandoned marble quarry. The site was an active commercial quarry from 1810 to 1947. In the summer months, park interpreters are on hand to explain the natural forces that created the bridge and its more recent history. There is a 0.25 mile walkway above and through the chasm and a 0.5 mile wooded walking trail.
Open Memorial Day through Columbus Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking fee is $2. Tables and grills are available for picnicking. Please carry-in, carry-out all trash. Access is limited. Pets are permitted. Must be on a 10-foot maximum leash and attended at all times. Swimming (dangerous conditions exist), rock climbing, defacing rocks, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Recreational opportunities: Fishing, historic site, interpretive program, picnicking, restrooms (accessible), scenic viewing area, walking trails.

October Mountain State Forest

Woodland Road Lee, MA Phone: 413-243-1778

At 16,500 acres, October Mountain is the largest state forest in Massachusetts. Visitors can camp, hike, and enjoy the outdoors while they visit nearby Tanglewood and other Berkshire Region points of interest. Forty-seven 47 campsites dot a sunny hillside and offer a great base to explore this vast forest. Trails are available for every level of experience, and include the famous Appalachian Trail. One of the most scenic trails lead through Schermerhorn Gorge, a striking natural feature which has intrigued generations of geologists.
The forest is open from sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Access is free. Camping season is from mid-May through mid-October in designated campground only. RV size is restricted to 34 feet. No electric hook-ups available. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Don't forget you are in Black Bear country. Never physically confront, feed, torment or throw anything at bears. All Terrain Vehicles are permitted during daylight hours on designated trails only, from May 1 through last Sunday in November (call ahead for details). Snowmobiling is available on four-inch minimum hard-packed snow base.
Recreational opportunities: Camping, non-motorized boating, boat ramp & public landing, fishing, hiking, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, off-road vehicles, skiing (cross-country), trailer / R.V. dumping, walking trails.
Boat ramps: Car top boating is available at Housatonic River (public access nearby at New Lenox Rd.), Buckley Dunton Reservoir and October Mountain Reservoir day-use area.

Pittsfield State Forest

1041 Cascade Street Pittsfield, MA Phone: 413-442-8992

Streams, waterfalls, and flowering shrubs abound in this forest. Wild azalea fields are a profusion of pink blossoms in June. The forest has two camping areas, two picnic areas, and a swimming beach. Fishermen frequent scenic Berry Pond. The vista from the top of Berry Mountain, accessible by auto road from April to December, is a striking panorama and a great place to watch the sun set. Balance Rock State Park is located in the northeast corner of Pittsfield State Forest. Here a huge 165-ton limestone boulder is balanced precariously upon bedrock, a natural curiosity.
Recreational opportunities: accessible hiking trails, accessible picnicking, accessible restrooms, accessible scenic vista, non-motorized boating, fishing, group day use, historic sites, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, nature & birding trails, off-road vehicles, skiing (cross-country), swimming, walking trails.

Robinson State Park

462 North Street Feeding Hills, MA Phone: 413-786-2877

Robinson State Park serves as a major day use area for the Springfield region. A paved road that runs along the River’s edge creates access to the park available for cars, foot traffic, bicycles, strollers, and wheelchairs leading to the swimming pond, playing fields picnic areas and the launch area for canoeing and kayaking. About 20 miles of trails in the park are shared by walkers, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Many of them offer scenic views of the Westfield River.
Recreational opportunities: hiking trails, bicycling paths, canoeing, fishing, group day use, mountain biking, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), swimming, walking trails.

Sandisfield State Forest (York Lake)

York Lake Road Sandisfield, MA Phone: 413 229-8212

Within the rolling northern hardwood forests of Sandisfield State Forest is York Lake, featuring a popular day use area with a 300-foot beach for unguarded swimming, a picnic area and a boat launch ramp. York Lake is stocked with trout by Mass Wildlife three times each year. Other seasonal activities including walking and hiking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Hunters are also welcome (in season). The moderately difficult 2-mile Pond Loop Trail offers scenic views of the lake.
Sandisfield State Forest is open from sunrise to one half-hour after sunset, year-round. Facilities are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and a $5 parking fee applies. Parking is permitted only at designated areas. Unguarded Swimming is only available at York Lake designated beach area. Picnicking is available at York Lake day-use area. Please carry-in, carry-out all your trash and belongings.
Boat ramp: Ideal for kayaks, canoes and small sail boats, available at York Lake (ramp available), West Lake (no ramp) and Thousand Acre Swamp, Cookson State Forest (ramp available) day-use area.

Savoy Mountain State Forest

260 Central Shaft Road Florida, MA Phone: 413-663-8469

Visitors to this forest can enjoy a variety of activities, including swimming, canoeing, motor boating, fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. A public campground in an apple orchard is available.

Tolland State Forest

410 Tolland Road East Otis, MA Phone: 413-269-6002

The centerpiece of this state forest, located in the rolling southern Berkshire Hills, is the 1,065-acre Otis Reservoir. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities. A public boat launch ramp is available, popular with trout and bass fishermen. The campground is located on a scenic and wooded peninsula. A day-use area with sandy beach and several multi-use trails is available. Hunting is open (in season) for all types of game including turkey, bear, and deer.
Recreational opportunities: restrooms, boat ramp, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting (restrictions), interpretive program, mountain biking, off-road vehicles, picnicking, showers, skiing (cross-country), swimming, trailer / R.V. dumping, walking trails.

Wahconah State Park

Route 9/8A Dalton, MA Phone: 413-442-8992

Located in the heart of the Berkshire Hills, Wahconah Falls offers visitors spectacular scenic views anytime of year. Wahconah Falls Brook flows over several smaller tiered falls then cascades about 40 feet into a deep pool. Picnic or fish in the shade of the northern hardwood-conifer forest, or take a hike on the 0.5 mile loop trail (moderate difficulty) through open woods. The park is open year-round, from sunrise to dusk. Access is free. Pets are permitted. Must be on a 10-foot maximum leash. Universal Access: a smooth, graded path leads down from the parking area to the picnic area and view of the falls. Swimming and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Wendell State Park

392 Montague Road Wendell, MA Phone: 413-659-3797

Located south of the Millers River, Wendell State Forest covers 7,566 acres of rolling forested hills, streams, ponds, and trails. Ruggles Pond is the main day-use area. This 10 acre pond offers crystal clear water for swimming and fishing. Picnic sites and a ball field with a pavilion are located nearby. There is a small boat launching ramp located at the Northern end of Wickett Pond. The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail traverses the forest boundaries and offers a small Adirondack shelter for trail users.
Recreational opportunities: Boating, boat ramp, canoeing, fishing, group day use, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), swimming walking trails.

Windsor State Forest

1838 River Road Windsor, MA Phone: 413-684-0948

Windsor State Forest's cascading waterfall at Windsor Jambs stands out for its spectacular beauty. Windsor Jambs Brook plunges through a 25-foot-wide gorge, with 80-foot-high granite walls rising on either side; a beautiful and refreshing place to visit. The popular day-use area along the Westfield River offers a 100-foot sandy beach for swimming with wooded picnic sites. Twenty-four limited-service campsites are available (no showers or flush toilets). Trails and old dirt roads that wind through the "The Bush" are favored by hikers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobiles. Fishermen and hunters are also welcome.
Recreational opportunities: accessible restrooms, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), snowmobiling, swimming, walking trails.
Cape Cod top of listings

Surf Fishing Access Locations

Surf fishing access locations on Cape Cod:

Town

Location

Beach access point

Map

Barnstable

Sandy Neck

Sandy Neck Road,
off Route 6A

Click Here for Map

Bourne

Cape Cod Canal

North and South sides
(unlimited)

Click Here for Map

Eastham

Nauset Light

Cable Road

Click Here for Map

Eastham

Nauset Beach North

Doane Road at Coast
Guard Station

Click Here for Map

Orleans

Nauset Beach South

Beach Road

Click Here for Map

Provincetown

New Beach

State Beach, Route 6

Click Here for Map

Provincetown

Race Point

Coast Guard Station

Click Here for Map

Sandwich

Scorton Creek

East End Beach Road,
East Sandwich

Click Here for Map

Truro

Pamet Creek

Off Fisher Road

Click Here for Map

Truro

Highland Light

Highland Road off Route 6

Click Here for Map

Wellfleet

Newcomb’s Hollow

Cross Hill Road

Click Here for Map
Central Massachusetts/Sturbridge top of listings

Douglas State Forest

107 Wallum Lake Road Douglas, MA Phone: 508-476-7872

Bordering both Connecticut and Rhode Island, this popular 5,907-acre state forest offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating and fishing at Wallum Lake and hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling on miles of woodland trails. Facilities include two pavilions, boat ramp, swimming beach, picnic area and restrooms.
The Midstate Trail, a long-distance hiking trail that extends through central Massachusetts to Mount Watatic in the north, runs through the forest. Douglas State Forest also includes a rare example of Atlantic White Ceder swampland. A 5-acre portion of this swamp is designated as a Massachusetts Wildland. It is accessible to the public via a boardwalk trail.

Dunn Pond State Park

289 Pearl Street Gardner, MA Phone: 508-632-7897

This 119-acre park features a 20-acre pond, walking trails, swimming, fishing, picnicking, public programs, and play equipment. Private canoes and non-motorized boats are allowed on the pond. In the winter the trails are open for cross country skiing. Ice skating is allowed on the pond and often there is a fire blazing in the visitor center’s fireplace. All activities offered by the park are accessible to people with disabilities. Parking fees are $5 for cars. Annual passes are $35 for Massachusetts residents and $45 for out of state residents.

Federated Women's Club State Forest

West Street Petersham, MA Phone: 508-939-8962

The forest’s 984 acres stretch to the south and west in the watershed of the Quabbin Reservoir. Please Note that NO pets are allowed on Watershed Property. Groves of pine and stands of maple, birch and hemlock invite the visitor along the wooded roads. The road along Fever Brook is outstanding for its scenery. A wildlife sanctuary compromising 140 acres has been set aside in the center of the forest, attracting migrating and native wild fowl. In the southwest section is the forest's chief geological feature, the Gorge. Limited-service campsites are available on a first come/first serve basis. Recreational uses include fishing, hiking, hunting, and cross-country skiing.

James W. Brooks Woodland Preserve

Petersham, MA Phone: 508-840-4446

Trails criss-cross the landscape of this preserve, which is ideal for bird-watching. Areas for fishing and cross-country skiing also are available.

Lake Dennison Recreation Area (Beach and Campground)

219 Balwinville State Road (Route 202) Winchendon, MA Phone: 508-939-8962

More than 4,000 acres offers visitors swimming, canoeing, and fishing areas. Trails for hiking and cross-country skiing are available. There is a public campground.

Leominster State Forest

90 Fitchburg Road / Route 31 Leominster, MA Phone: 508-874-2303

Leominster State Forest is a 4,300-acre parcel of forested off of Route 2 (exit 28), and convenient from Boston and Worcester. Parking is available along Route 31. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, parking fees are charged in the paved lots. The forest offers recreational opportunities year round, ranging from mountain biking and swimming in the summer to cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.
The trails at Leominster State Forest offer a wide variety of terrains. For hikers, The Midstate Trail, a 95-mile long-distance trail that runs from Rhode Island to the New Hampshire border, passes through the western edge of the park. A popular day hike along the Midstate Trail begins at Redemption Rock on Route 140 in Princeton and heads north over a scenic ridgeline which includes Crow Hill Ledges.
The terrain available to mountain bikers ranges from rolling unpaved fire roads to multi-use trails. Hiking trails are off limits to bikers. There is rock climbing at Crow Hill Ledges. Permits are required (no fee) and are available at the park headquarters between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The swimming beach at Crow Hill Pond is located next to two picnic areas with picnic tables, grills, and a modern bathhouse. Lifeguards are on duty from mid-June until Labor Day. All other ponds in the park are off limits to swimming. Kayakers, canoeists and fishing enthusiasts enjoy using Paradise Pond. Several put-ins are available. Crow Hill Pond (swimming beach side) is stocked with trout. Hunting is also allowed in the park. Winter recreation includes cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and snowmobiling. Snow mobiling is limited to the unpaved roads and the multi use trails. There is no camping at Leominster State Forest.

Moore State Park

Route 31 Paxton, MA Phone: 508-792-3969

1 Sawmill Road Paxton MA Moore was the site of grist and saw mills from 1747 through the early part of this century. What remains today is stone mill foundations, a restored sawmill, and mountains of glorious rhododendrons, azaleas and mountain laurel. Turkey Hill Brook, dropping 90 feet in less than a quarter mile, was a good mill site, and as many as five separate mills may have been built here. The remnants of the mill-village at Moore give a glimpse of the old rural manufacturing economy.
Recreational opportunities: Canoeing, fishing, hiking, historic site, hunting (restrictions), interpretive program, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), walking trails.

Otter River State Forest

86 Winchendon Road Baldwinville, MA Phone: 508-939-8962

Otter River State Forest is a popular camping and day-use facility in north central Massachusetts. Its developed facilities are centered on Beaman Pond and include 85 campsites, a swimming beach, ball field and picnic areas. Yurt camping is also available. Camping season is mid-May through mid-October. Campground office hours at 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Swimming is permitted from 10am to 8pm at designated buoy areas only.

Quabbin Reservoir and Visitor Center

485 Ware Road / Route 9 Belchertown, MA Phone: 413-323-7221

This artificially created reservoir has become a natural treasure-trove. Visitors can enjoy fishing, bird-watching, and an observation tower. Of particular interest are the eagles that nest in the area. There is an admission charge.

Quincy Shores Reservation

Quincy Shore Drive Quincy, MA 02205 Phone: 617-727-5290

Quincy Shore Drive links Wollaston Beach with Caddy Memorial Park and Moswetuset Hummock. The 2.3-mile beach is popular for its jogging/bicycling trail and swimming. Caddy Park on the southern end of the beach has over 15 acres of fields and marsh as well as a play area, lookout tower and picnic tables. Moswetuset Hummock, on the beach's northern end, is a mixture of woodland trails and open marshland. The site which has a short loop trail, offers views of Quincy Bay and 144-acre Squantum Marsh. Open year round, dawn to dusk. Bathhouse open July to September.
Directions: by MBTA: Wollaston Beach - Red Line to Wollaston Station, walk to Hancock Street, turn right and walk one block to Beach Street or take Wollaston Beach/Ashmont bus #217. Caddy Park - turn left on Beach Street and continue on Quincy Shore Drive. Moswetuset Hummock - Red Line to North Quincy Station, MBTA Bus #211 to Squantum, exit at East Squantum Street and Quincy Shore Drive, proceed to the small wooded knoll 200 yards east.

Quinsigamond State Park

North Lake Avenue Worcester, MA Phone: 508-755-6880

This small park features lake swimming and fishing. There are also picnic areas and rest facilities available.

Spencer State Forest

51 Howe Road Spencer, MA Phone: 508-886-6333

Spencer State Forest, a 965-acre area, provides swimming and picnicking facilities on Howe Pond. Other activities offered at Spencer include fishing, canoeing, hiking, Nordic skiing and snowmobiling. The Midstate Trail, a long-distance hiking trail that extends through central Massachusetts to Mount Watatic in the north, runs close to the park. Recreational opportunities: Canoeing, fishing, hiking, historic site, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), swimming, walking trails.

Streeter Point Recreation Area

6 Streeter Point Avenue Sturbridge, MA Phone: 508-347-9316

This accessible area has a 100-car parking area and offers fishing, swimming and picnicking on 400-acre East Brimfield Reservoir. Boating access is from ramps located on US Army Corps of Engineers-maintained ramps on Route 20.

Upton State Forest

205 Westboro Road Upton, MA Phone: 508-435-4303

This 2660-cre forest offers visitors a natural diversity of flora and fauna. The focal point of the forest is located at 205 Westboro Road in Upton, where visitor parking, the main trail head and park information is available. This is a carry-carry-out facility. While the forest is unstaffed, it is open to the public year-round at no charge. Trail users can enjoy hiking, casual walking, horse back riding, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling. Off Highway Vehicles (OHV’s) are prohibited.
Recreational opportunities: hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, skiing (cross-country), walking trails.

Wachusett Reservoir

River Road Clinton, MA Phone: 978-365-3272

An artificial reservoir featuring bird watching, fishing areas, and walking trails. Ice fishing not allowed. There is an admission fee.

Whitehall State Park

Route 135 Hopkinton, MA Phone: 508-435-4303

This park consists almost entirely of water: the 592-acre Whitehall Reservoir. The area offers boating, fishing, a public boat ramp, and hiking trails. Watercraft speed limit is 12 MPH. Personal watercraft (includes Jet Ski/Wave Runners) are prohibited. Please remove aquatic vegetation from boats, engines and trailers before entering and exiting the lake. Please no waterskiing, boarding or tubing. Snowmobiles may be used for ice fishing during day light hours.
Greater Boston and Cambridge top of listings

Ashland State Park

Route 135 Ashland, MA Phone: 508-435-4303

Ashland State Park has 470 acres including the 157 acre Ashland Reservoir. The park is operated seasonally and provides opportunities for swimming, picnicking, boating, fishing, bicycling and hiking. Beach improvements at the park include facilities for wheelchair access to the boathouse and by ramp into the pond.

Beaver Brook Reservation

Mill Street Waltham, MA Phone: 617-484-6357

Small nature preserve offers biking paths, fishing and swimming areas, interpretive programs, and small historic sites. Full toilet facilities are available.

Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area

Boston, MA Phone: 617-223-8666

This state park is part of the 34-island Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. The islands can be reached via a 45-minute ferry ride from downtown Boston. Islands offer shell and slate beaches. Lovells Island has a swimming beach. Bumpkin Island has slate and shell beaches.

Carson Beach

William J. Day Blvd. South Boston, MA Phone: 617-727-5114

This sandy beach, maintained by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, is one of the best swimming beaches in the area, with nearby public amenities and great views of the harbor. New sand, new walkways, benches, lighting, shade shelters and award winning landscaping have helped to make Carson Beach a popular destination. "Mother's Rest" and its fishing pier have also been rehabilitated, making for a beautiful picnic area with a fantastic view of the Harbor. Life guards. To reach the beach on the subway take the Red Line to JFK/UMass. Or use the bus on routes 5, 8, 11, 16, or 41. Parking available.

Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach and Carson Beach

William J. Day Boulevard South Boston, MA Phone: 617-727-5290

Fort Independence, a granite fort built between 1834 and 1851, is the dominating feature of Castle Island. This 22-acre urban park is connected to the mainland by pedestrian and vehicular causeways. Pleasure Bay, the M Street Beach and Carson Beach form a three-mile segment of parkland and beach along the South Boston shoreline of Dorchester Bay. Carson Beach offers some beautiful views and public amenities. Carson Beach also features a walkway which allows people to walk, bike, or run along the water's edge from Castle Island to the Kennedy Library. Open year-round.

Charles River Reservation

Boston, MA Phone: 617-698-1802

This natural refuge offers canoeing, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, and more. Interpretive programs are scheduled there throughout the year.

Cochituate State Park

Route 30 Natick, MA Phone: 508-653-9641

Cochituate State Park is a popular regional day use park featuring water-based recreational opportunities including boating, swimming, windsurfing, and fishing on its three large lakes. Picnicking, swimming, and boat launching are limited to the main area of the park on the middle lake and boaters can gain access to the other lakes through channels under roadways. Jet skis are not allowed on the lake.

Dorchester Shores Reservation (including Malibu Beach, Victory Road Park, Tenean Beach)

Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125 Phone: 617-727-5290

Malibu Beach, Victory Road Park, and Tenean Beach provide the public with coastal access along the extended mouth of the Neponset River. Malibu Beach offers protected swimming and bathhouse. Victory Road Park is a passive park with indigenous planting on a reclaimed landfill. Tenean Beach is a popular swimming beach with playground facilities, tennis and basketball courts. Nearby Savin Hill Beach, restored to its original Olmsted Brothers design, has a tot lot, baseball fields and protected swimming. Together these facilities are an important link in the continuous pathway and greenway system from Castle Island in South Boston to the Neponset River. Open year-round, dawn to dusk.

Hammond Pond Reservation

Hammond Pond Parkway Newton, MA Phone: 617-698-1802

Visitors to this small nature preserve can enjoy fishing, hiking and biking trails, and picnic areas.

Hopkinton State Park

268 Cedar Street Hopkinton, MA Phone: 508-435-4303

Hopkinton State Park offers a year-round recreation, including two guarded swimming beaches, stocked fishing, a group picnic site, 12 shaded picnic areas, 10 miles of marked trails, open field space, a boat launching ramp for non-motorized watercraft, and seasonal boat rentals. The swimming areas are supervised by lifeguards from late May through Labor Day. The waterfront has a handicapped accessible ramp.
Hours: Summer, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; rest of the year, 8 a.m.-sunset. Pets on leash are welcome. Trail system is multi-use. Hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, cross country skiers are welcome. Snowmobiles are permitted when snow cover is at least four inches deep.

Mystic River Reservation -- Mystic Lakes -- Sandy Beach

Off Mystic Valley Parkway Medford, Somerville, Everett, MA Phone: 617-727-5380

Open year round, dawn to dusk. The banks of the Mystic River are almost entirely publicly owned from the Amelia Earhart Dam at the mouth of the Mystic Lakes. The property is accessible via the MBTA public transit system. The property includes:
Mary O'Malley Park. The park has striking views of the harbor and the Tobin Bridge over the Mystic River. A boat landing and shelter are located on an historic granite pier and a wind sculpture by William Wainwright enlivens the waterfront. Tennis courts and a large open lawn area for concerts and picnics are also available.
Torbert Macdonald Park. Macdonald Park has an award-winning landscape design of the meandering paths, trees and open lawns provides space for rest and enjoyment as well as bicycling, jogging, walking and informal games in a riverside setting.
Draw Seven Park. The Draw Number Seven Railroad Bridge, which once crossed the Mystic River, gave this park its name. This park provides field game space for Somerville and adjacent communities. Draw Seven Park offers nine acres of parkland including two soccer fields, a bikeway/walkway, a picnic area with shelter and beautiful landscaping.
Mystic Lakes. Today the Mystic Lakes are popular for freshwater swimming at Sandy Beach. Special sailing programs are available at the Tufts University Boathouse. The Upper Mystic Lake is for non-powered boats only. The Lower Mystic Lake is for power boats with no wake. Information about Shannon Beach: 617-727-5380.

Revere Beach

Revere Beach Blvd. Revere, MA Phone: 781-289-3020

Lifeguards are on duty from late June to early September. Revere Beach boasts miles of shoreline which welcomes throngs of visitors every summer. Along the boulevard there is a bandstand for summer concerts, a bathhouse and many shade shelters. Revere Beach is very accessible by public transportation which makes it a popular spot for people from all around metro Boston. Open year round, dawn to dusk.

Rocky Woods

Hartford Street Medfield, MA 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339

Just 30 minutes from downtown Boston

Rocky Woods features over six miles of former woods roads and footpaths rambling through rolling hills of white pine and red oak. Explorers of the four ponds on the reservation may find bullfrogs and painted turtles, and visitors can enjoy catch-and-release fishing from these shores. Recent landscape renovations have created a scenic meadow, grassy common areas, sandy shorelines, and plantings of ornamental shrubs. Restrooms, picnic tables and a pavilion are onsite, and future plans include creating a visitor center and improved children's play area.

Stony Brook Reservation

Turtle Pond Parkway Hyde Park, MA Phone: 617-698-1802

Sunfish and Perch await anglers in Turtle Pond at this 475-acre park and wildlife refuge, featuring fishing areas, biking and hiking trails, public swimming, and picnic areas. Programs are scheduled throughout the year.

Weymouth Back River Reservation

Hingham, MA Phone: 617-727-5293

Small reservation features historic areas and great fishing spots. Stodder's Neck provides harborside walking trails and a hilltop view of the Back River.
North of Boston/Merrimack Valley top of listings

Bradley Palmer State Park

Asbury Street Topsfield, MA Phone: 508-887-5931

This 721-acre former estate features pine needled paths, acres of sunny rolling meadows and spectacular rhododendrons which line old carriage roads. Peak bloom is usually in mid-June. Hunting is allowed at Cleveland Farm. Archery hunting only at Prospect Hill. No rentals of horses or equipment available.
Recreational opportunities: pool, canoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, picnicking skiing (cross-country) walking trails.

Halibut Point State Park

Gott Avenue Rockport, MA Phone: 508-546-2997

Halibut Point is a beautiful coastal seascape. Looking seaward, the view stretches from Crane Beach in Ipswich to Mount Agamenticus in Maine and the Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire. A Visitors Center located near the Babson Farm quarry features exhibits about the park's natural and cultural history. The 60-foot tall structure offers panoramic views.
The park is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day; a parking fee is charged. The park is open sunrise to sunset from Labor Day to Memorial Day. On weekends from Memorial Day through Columbus Day tours of the quarry are offered. Other programs include wildflower walks and tidepool programs during the summer and seabird walks during the winter. Recreational uses: Fishing, historic site, picnicking, scenic viewing area, cross-country skiing, walking trails.

Harold Parker State Forest

305 Middleton Road North Andover, MA Phone: 508-686-3391

Harold Parker State Forest, which lies in Andover, North Andover, North Reading and Middleton, comprises just over 3,000 acres of central hardwood-hemlock-white pine forest. The forest has over 35 miles of logging roads and trails and offers quiet seclusion to off-road hikers and bikers. Non-motorized boating is allowed on any of the 11 ponds. No horse, boat, or bike rentals. Lorraine Park Campground, located about two miles from the Headquarters, at 133 Jenkins Road, contains 89 sizeable campsites that are spread out sufficiently to provide a real "forest" camping experience. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a grill. No electric or water hookups are available; the bathrooms have hot water showers. Camping is offered late May to early September; office hours are from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Camping office phone is 978-475-7972.
Recreational opportunities: hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, camping and picnicking.

Lawrence Heritage State Park

1 Jackson Street Lawrence, MA Phone: 508-794-1655

Open daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

A restored boarding house with two floors of interactive exhibits tells the tale of Lawrence, one of the nation's first planned industrial cities. Along with stories of Lawrence's mill workers and industry, the workers' role in the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike is relived with images and sounds. Walk along the esplanade of a 19th-century canal and through a park created within the walls of an industrial-era building.
The Visitors Center includes a turn-of-the–century kitchen and models of the mills and boarding houses. Visitors can trace the routes of more than 30 immigrant populations who settled in Lawrence. A video presentation of the Great Strike of 1912 tells the story of nearly 30,000 workers and the nation’s labor struggles.
The park offers free band concerts, lectures, drama performances, children’s events, games, sailing lessons, special events and guided tours. The Bread and Roses Festival on Labor Day is an annual highlight. Guided tours are offered by reservation.
Pemberton Park, off Canal Street near the Central Bridge, offers superb views of the city’s mills and historic dam, and oportunities for fishing and boating. The park property is about five acres and will soon extend to the Great Stone Dam. Walking trails, lighting and benches make this park an attractive place to visit in daylight or at dusk.

Lowell Heritage State Park

160 Pawtucket Blvd Lowell, MA Phone: 978-369-6312

Lowell boasts a remarkable network of 19th-century canals created to provide power to the bustling textile mills that operated along the water's edge. Today the buildings remain and continue to evoke the sense of a great industrial city. Visitors can participate in activities, including canal rides, and explore exhibits about Lowell's role in America's industrial history presented in conjunction with the Lowell National Historical Park. A Victorian garden in the heart of the downtown area, and over two miles of landscaped esplanade, summer concerts, and swimming and boating in the Merrimack River are additional attractions at this popular park. The swim area is managed by the City of Lowell from July to August.
The Rourke Brothers State Boat Ramp, Route 113 (Pawtucket Blvd.) is open seasonally to the public to provide boating access to the Merrimack River. The boat ramp (managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation) is composed of 42 trailer lots, 2 HP trailer lots, 18 car top lots, and 2 HP car top lots. There is no fee to use the use the ramp or to park. The entrance to the boat ramp is directly across from Tyco Electronics, Inc. located at 1011 Pawtucket Blvd. and is one-half mile west of the Rourke Bridge.
Recreational opportunities: Accessible Restrooms bicycling paths, boating, boat ramp, canoeing, fishing, hiking, historic site, scenic viewing area, swimming, visitor's center, walking trails.

Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest

Trotting Park Road Lowell, MA Phone: 978 369-6312

Located in three towns, this forest contains 1,140 acres including 180 acres of ponds, swamps, and wetlands. The forest has six miles of trails offering hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Hunting is permitted in season.
Recreational opportunities: nonmotorized boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), skiing (cross-country), walking trails.

Middlesex Falls Reservation

Woodland Road Winchester, MA Phone: 781-322-2851 or

Natural refuge set on over 2,000 acres. Visitors here can enjoy biking, hiking and cross-country ski trails. Canoeing, fishing, and swimming areas are offered, as well as a visitor's center with historic information.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation

Beach Road, Route 1A Salisbury, MA 01952 Phone: 508-462-4481

Salisbury Beach is one of the state's most popular ocean beaches, stretching 3.8 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. This 521-acre park offers swimming, boating, fishing, and camping, and is very popular with trailer campers. Facilities include a 484-site campground with renovated bathhouses, an extensive day-use parking lot, three new comfort stations for beach users with boardwalks over the dunes, and a new playground and pavilion area. The facility also has two boat ramps on the Merrimack River at the campground's southern edge. In fall and winter, harbor seals often sun themselves on the jetty.
The campground office hours are 8 a.m.–10 p.m. The camping season is from early May to mid-October. Off-season camping is available from mid-October to late November for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night stays. There is a $2 per night surcharge for camping fees at Salisbury Beach. the $2 surcharge will be added to the day-use fee for cars and buses.

Sandy Point State Reservation

Parker River Wildlife Refuge, Refuge Road Ipswich, MA Phone: 508-462-4481

Sandy Point is at the southern tip of Plum Island, a classic Atlantic Ocean barrier island. The 77-acre park is among the state's most beautiful and popular coastal beaches. It is also an important nesting area for the piping plover and the least tern. Recreational activities include walking, beachcombing, fishing, and birding. Access is through the abutting Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. The reservation is open sunrise till sunset. Parking is allowed only in two designated areas. When these lots are full, the reservation is temporarily closed. Pedestrians have free access to the beach, but must stay clear of all fenced areas.
South of Boston/Plymouth top of listings

Ames Nowell State Park

Linwood Street Abington, MA Phone: 617-857-1336

Ames Nowell is a year-round day use area with recreational activity centered around Cleveland Pond which is popular with boaters and fisherman. Development includes a picnic area, ball field and several miles of trails along the pond edge and the surrounding woods. Recreational uses: non-motorized boating; canoeing, fishing, group day use, horseback riding, mountain biking, picnicking, restrooms, cross country skiing, walking trails.

Borderland State Park

59 Massapoag Avenue North Easton, MA Phone: 508-238-6566

Borderland is one of the most historically significant tracts of publicly owned land in the Commonwealth. Created in the early 1900s by artist and suffragist Blanche Ames and her botanist husband Oakes, Borderland offers many of the same pleasures that the Ames family enjoyed: walking and horseback riding on woodland trails, fishing and canoeing in the ponds, or, in winter, ice-skating and sledding.

Demarest Lloyd State Park

Barney's Joy Road Dartmouth, MA 02748 Phone: 508-636-3298 (summer)

An 1800-foot saltwater beach is backed by rambling hills of beach grass and shaded, grassy picnic sites. A broad, scenic marsh lines the Slocum River on the park's eastern edge. The beach is ideal for families with children. The Buzzards Bay surf is calm and shallow, giving rise to warm water temperatures through most of the summer. It is also a great spot to see egrets, herons, ospreys, terns and hawks.
The park is open mid-May to mid-September, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. No pets allowed on the beach. Kite surfing, skim boards, boogey boards or flotation devices are not allowed. Powerboats and jet skis are not allowed to land on the beach. Recreational uses: Fishing, canoe/kayaking, picnicking, restrooms, showers, swimming, walking trails.

Dighton Rock State Park

Bay View Avenue Berkley, MA Phone: 508 822-7537

A "glacial erratic" boulder known as Dighton Rock once rested on the shore of the Taunton River adjacent to this park. Covered with petroglyphs, the rock is now installed in a small museum. The museum (open only by appointment) exhibits several explanations of the carvings, which range from Portuguese explorers to Native Americans. The park, which covers 85 acres in the town of Berkley, is a popular local picnic spot. The park is open 7 days a week. The museum is open by appointment only.
Recreational opportunities: nonmotorized boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, historic site, mountain biking, picnicking, restrooms, skiing (cross-country), walking trails.

Ellisville Harbor State Park

Route 3A Plymouth, MA Phone: 508-866-2580

Ellisville Harbor is a unique coastal property, including an 18th century farmstead, beachfront, salt marsh, rolling meadows, and red pine forest. It's also one of the most scenic spots on the South Shore coastline, where you can see small fishing boats, a barrier beach, sphagnum bog, forested upland and open meadows. Recreation activities include walking, bird watching, beach combing, sightseeing, fishing, and cross-country skiing. In fall and winter, harbor seals can often be seen just off-shore.

Freetown-Fall River State Forest

Slab Bridge Road Assonet, MA Phone: 508 644-5522

Freetown State Forest is a vast tract of public land. Near the main entrance is a day use area, with wading pool, picnic area, fields and restrooms. The remainder of the forest offers 50 miles of unpaved roads and trails. Horseback riders, dog sledders, mountain bikers, and seasonal motorcycle and snowmobile users are welcome, as are hunters and anglers in season. Rattlesnake Brook, which meanders throughout much of the property, is stocked with brook trout each spring. Profile Rock is a 50-foot outcropping. The 5,441-acre forest also includes the Watuppa Reservation, which belongs to the Wampanoag Nation, and is the site of annual tribal meetings.
Recreational opportunities: fishing, hiking, historic site, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, off-road vehicles, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), walking trails.

Horseneck Beach State Reservation

Route 88 South Westport, MA 02790 Phone: 508-636-8816

Located at the western end of Buzzards Bay, the sandy, southwest-facing, 2-mile long beach is breezy all year round, providing excellent wind surfing and a respite from sweltering inland temperatures. Behind the dunes near Gooseberry Neck is a 100-site campground.
The regular camping season is mid-May through mid-October. Swimming is permitted only at designated beaches. Pets are not allowed at swimming areas. Recreational uses: beaches, camping, picnicking, restrooms, boating (all types), boat ramp, fishing, historic site, picnicking, showers, swimming, trailer / R.V. dumping.

Massasoit State Park

Middleboro Avenue Taunton, MA Phone: 508-822-7405

This 1,500 acre park features canoeing and boating areas, swimming and fishing. Hiking and cross-country ski trails are also available. There are picnic areas as well as a public campsite.

Miles Standish State Forest

Long Pond Road Carver, MA Phone: 508-866-2580

Forest features 14,651 acres of camping, hiking and biking trails, cross-country skiing, canoeing, swimmiing, and fishing areas.

Wompatuck State Park

Off Route 128 Hingham, MA Phone: 617-749-7160

This state park cross-country, hiking and bike trails. Fishing areas and swimming are also available. There is a public campground with picnic and rest facilities.