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List of Massachusetts state parks

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List of Massachusetts state parks is located in Massachusetts
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
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List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
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List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
List of Massachusetts state parks
Massachusetts State Parks (Hover mouse over pog to popup clickable link)

This list of Massachusetts State Parks contains the state parks and recreation areas in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation as of 2015.[1]

The Bureau of State Parks and Recreation division of Department of Conservation and Recreation (Massachusetts) (DCR) is responsible for the maintenance and management of over 450,000 acres (1,820 sq km) of privately and state-owned forests and parks, nearly 10% of the Commonwealth's total land mass. Within the lands managed by the Bureau of State Parks and Recreation are some 29 campgrounds, over 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of trails, 87 beaches, 37 swimming, wading, and spray pools, 62 playgrounds, 55 ballfields, and 145 miles (233 km) of paved bike and rail trails.

DCR's Bureau of Urban Parks and Recreation manages the Metropolitan Park System of Greater Boston, the components of which are included in this list.

State parks

[edit]
Name   County   Area[2] Estab-
lished
  
River / lake / other   Image Remarks  
acres ha
Alewife Brook Reservation Middlesex
42°23′48″N 71°8′38″W / 42.39667°N 71.14389°W / 42.39667; -71.14389 (Alewife Brook Reservation)
136 acres 55 ha 1900 Little Pond, Little River, Alewife Brook
A major portion of the Alewife Reservation is designated wetland. The Reservation is located at the end of the Minuteman Bike Path in Arlington
Ames Nowell State Park Plymouth
42°7′12.8994″N 70°59′13.632″W / 42.120249833°N 70.98712000°W / 42.120249833; -70.98712000 (Ames Nowell State Park)
612 acres 248 ha 1959 Cleveland Pond
The park is primarily used for boating and fishing.
Ashland State Park Middlesex
42°14′30″N 71°27′58″W / 42.24167°N 71.46611°W / 42.24167; -71.46611 (Ashland State Park)
472 acres 191 ha 1947 Ashland Reservoir
Bash Bish Falls State Park Berkshire
42°06′53″N 73°29′34″W / 42.11472°N 73.49278°W / 42.11472; -73.49278 (Bash Bish Falls State Park)
424 acres 172 ha 1924 Bash Bish Falls
Massachusetts' highest single-drop waterfall lies within the park borders.
Beartown State Forest Berkshire
42°14′00″N 73°16′28″W / 42.23333°N 73.27444°W / 42.23333; -73.27444 (Beartown State Forest)
120 acres 49 ha 1921 Benedict Pond
Approximately 7.5 miles (12.1 km) of the Appalachian Trail travels through the forest.
Beaver Brook Reservation Middlesex
42°23′26″N 71°11′52″W / 42.39056°N 71.19778°W / 42.39056; -71.19778 (Beaver Brook Reservation)
303 acres 123 ha 1893
The park includes a cascading waterfall and a wading pool.
Belle Isle Marsh Reservation Suffolk
42°23′21″N 70°59′21″W / 42.38917°N 70.98917°W / 42.38917; -70.98917 (Belle Isle Marsh Reservation)
188 acres 76 ha 1978 Belle Isle Marsh
The reservation includes landscaped pathways, benches, and an observation tower. A portion of the Boston Harborwalk runs through the reservation.
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park Worcester
42°05′40″N 71°37′23″W / 42.09444°N 71.62306°W / 42.09444; -71.62306 (Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park)
1,066 acres 431 ha 1981 Blackstone River
The park is the midpoint of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor of the National Park System.
Blue Hills Reservation Norfolk
42°12′40″N 71°7′40″W / 42.21111°N 71.12778°W / 42.21111; -71.12778 (Blue Hills Reservation)
6,165 acres 2,495 ha 1893 Houghton's Pond, Ponkapoag Pond
The reservation has the distinction of being the largest conservation land within a major metropolitan area.
Borderland State Park Bristol, Norfolk
42°4′3″N 71°9′13″W / 42.06750°N 71.15361°W / 42.06750; -71.15361 (Borderland State Park)
1,843 acres 746 ha 1971
On National Register of Historic Places
Boston Harbor Islands State Park Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk
42°19′11.6″N 70°55′45.6″W / 42.319889°N 70.929333°W / 42.319889; -70.929333 (Boston Harbor Islands State Park)
404 acres 163 ha 1996 Boston Harbor
Bradley Palmer State Park Essex
42°38′0″N 70°53′43″W / 42.63333°N 70.89528°W / 42.63333; -70.89528 (Bradley Palmer State Park)
736 acres 298 ha 1944 Ipswich River
The park that features rolling meadows, lush evergreens and old carriage roads lined with rhododendrons.
Breakheart Reservation Essex, Middlesex
42°29′21″N 71°2′23″W / 42.48917°N 71.03972°W / 42.48917; -71.03972 (Breakheart Reservation)
652 acres 264 ha 1934 Silver Lake, Pearce Lake, Saugus River
The reservation is hardwood forest principally used for birding, fishing and hiking.
Brimfield State Forest Hampden
42°6′0″N 72°14′56″W / 42.10000°N 72.24889°W / 42.10000; -72.24889 (Brimfield State Forest)
3,523 acres 1,426 ha 1924 Dean Pond
Bristol Blake State Reservation Norfolk
42°6′28.6″N 71°19′5″W / 42.107944°N 71.31806°W / 42.107944; -71.31806 (Bristol Blake State Reservation)
140 acres 57 ha 1959[3] Kingfisher Pond, Stony Brook Pond, Teal Marsh Adjacent to Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
Brook Farm Historic Site Suffolk
42°17′29″N 71°10′26.7″W / 42.29139°N 71.174083°W / 42.29139; -71.174083 (Brook Farm Historic Site)
141 acres 57 ha 1988
C. M. Gardner State Park Hampden
42°16′31″N 72°52′14.5″W / 42.27528°N 72.870694°W / 42.27528; -72.870694 (C. M. Gardner State Park)
85 acres 34 ha 1959 Westfield River
Callahan State Park Middlesex
42°20′35″N 71°26′55″W / 42.34306°N 71.44861°W / 42.34306; -71.44861 (Callahan State Park)
958 acres 388 ha 1970
Camp Nihan Environmental Education Camp Essex
42°29′32.6″N 71°1′11.4″W / 42.492389°N 71.019833°W / 42.492389; -71.019833 (Camp Nihan Environmental Education Camp)
65 acres 26 ha 1929 Saugus River Part of Breakheart Reservation
Castle Island Suffolk
42°20′15″N 71°0′38″W / 42.33750°N 71.01056°W / 42.33750; -71.01056 (Castle Island)
22 acres 8.9 ha Boston Harbor
The present fort, built between 1834 and 1851, is the eighth generation of forts and it is one of the oldest fortified sites in British North America.
Charles River Reservation Suffolk, Middlesex
42°21′20″N 71°6′56″W / 42.35556°N 71.11556°W / 42.35556; -71.11556 (Charles River Reservation)
863 acres 349 ha 1910 Charles River
Includes Charles River Dam, Charles River Basin and Esplanade, John F. Kennedy Park, and Teddy Ebersol's Red Sox Fields. Covers Charles River below Watertown Dam; see also Upper Charles River Reservation
Chester-Blandford State Forest Hampden
42°14′58″N 72°56′58″W / 42.24944°N 72.94944°W / 42.24944; -72.94944 (Chester-Blandford State Forest)
2,776 acres 1,123 ha 1924
Chestnut Hill Reservation Suffolk
42°20′7″N 71°9′29″W / 42.33528°N 71.15806°W / 42.33528; -71.15806 (Chestnut Hill Reservation)
1 acre 0.40 ha 1870 Chestnut Hill Reservoir
The Chestnut Hill Reservoir Historic District is considered a nineteenth-century masterpiece of engineering, urban planning and landscape design.
Chicopee Memorial State Park Hampden
42°10′45″N 72°32′13″W / 42.17917°N 72.53694°W / 42.17917; -72.53694 (Chicopee Memorial State Park)
562 acres 227 ha 1893 Cooley Brook Reservoir The park includes two 25-acre (10 ha) ponds.
Clarksburg State Park Berkshire
42°44′5″N 73°4′35″W / 42.73472°N 73.07639°W / 42.73472; -73.07639 (Clarksburg State Park)
3,629 acres 1,469 ha Mauserts Pond
Adjoins 3,011 acre Clarksburg State Forest
Cochituate State Park Middlesex
42°18′45″N 71°22′27″W / 42.31250°N 71.37417°W / 42.31250; -71.37417 (Cochituate State Park)
872 acres 353 ha Lake Cochituate
Connecticut River Greenway State Park Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire
42°36′27″N 72°32′30″W / 42.60750°N 72.54167°W / 42.60750; -72.54167 (Connecticut River Greenway State Park)
1,048 acres 424 ha 1986 Connecticut River
Multiple state land holdings in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts
Constitution Beach Suffolk
42°23′5.5″N 71°0′36.2″W / 42.384861°N 71.010056°W / 42.384861; -71.010056 (Constitution Beach)
82 acres 33 ha 1952 Boston Harbor
Cutler Park Reservation Norfolk
42°16′16″N 71°11′45″W / 42.27111°N 71.19583°W / 42.27111; -71.19583 (Cutler Park Reservation)
739 acres 299 ha 1962 Charles River
It contains the largest remaining fresh water marsh on the middle Charles, and includes a boardwalk through a cattail marsh out onto an island.
D.A.R. State Forest Hampshire
42°27′25″N 72°47′50″W / 42.45694°N 72.79722°W / 42.45694; -72.79722 (D.A.R. State Forest)
1,728 acres 699 ha 1929 Upper and Lower Highland Lake
Demarest Lloyd State Park Bristol
41°31′44″N 70°59′0″W / 41.52889°N 70.98333°W / 41.52889; -70.98333 (Demarest Lloyd State Park)
200 acres 81 ha 1953 Buzzards Bay
Dighton Rock State Park Bristol
41°48′46″N 71°6′23″W / 41.81278°N 71.10639°W / 41.81278; -71.10639 (Dighton Rock State Park)
98 acres 40 ha 1955 Taunton River
Dighton Rock is an 11-foot (3.4 m) high glacial erratic covered with petroglyphs and has since been moved to a museum at the park.
Dorchester Shores Reservation Suffolk
42°17′50″N 71°2′44″W / 42.29722°N 71.04556°W / 42.29722; -71.04556 (Dorchester Shores Reservation)
44 acres 18 ha 1962 Neponset River The reservation comprises two beaches and a park.
Douglas State Forest Worcester
42°3′30″N 71°47′13″W / 42.05833°N 71.78694°W / 42.05833; -71.78694 (Douglas State Forest)
5,525 acres 2,236 ha 1934 Wallum Lake
Features include a rare Atlantic White Cedar swamp and 7.8 miles (12.6 km) of the Midstate Trail
Dunn State Park Worcester
42°34′48″N 71°58′12″W / 42.58000°N 71.97000°W / 42.58000; -71.97000 (Dunn State Park)
132 acres 53 ha 1915 Dunn Pond
Ellisville Harbor State Park Plymouth
41°50′34″N 70°32′13″W / 41.84278°N 70.53694°W / 41.84278; -70.53694 (Ellisville Harbor State Park)
97 acres 39 ha 1991 Cape Cod Bay
Walking trails overlooking a tidal marsh, sandy/rocky beach at trail end
Elm Bank Reservation Norfolk
42°16′34″N 71°18′9″W / 42.27611°N 71.30250°W / 42.27611; -71.30250 (Elm Bank Reservation)
175 acres 71 ha 1996 Charles River
Benjamin Pierce Cheney's property, now run by Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Erving State Forest Franklin
42°37′21″N 72°22′41″W / 42.62250°N 72.37806°W / 42.62250; -72.37806 (Erving State Forest)
2,422 acres 980 ha 1920 Millers River
The 110-mile (180 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail passes through a western parcel of the state forest.
F. Gilbert Hills State Forest Norfolk
42°3′28″N 71°17′0″W / 42.05778°N 71.28333°W / 42.05778; -71.28333 (F. Gilbert Hills State Forest)
1,030 acres 420 ha
Fall River Heritage State Park Bristol
41°42′20″N 71°9′38″W / 41.70556°N 71.16056°W / 41.70556; -71.16056 (Fall River Heritage State Park)
14 acres 5.7 ha 1985 Taunton River
Federated Women's Club State Forest Worcester
42°29′27″N 72°15′15″W / 42.49083°N 72.25417°W / 42.49083; -72.25417 (Federated Women's Club State Forest)
970 acres 390 ha 1933 Fever Brook
Fort Phoenix State Reservation Bristol
41°37′27″N 70°53′56″W / 41.62417°N 70.89889°W / 41.62417; -70.89889 (Fort Phoenix State Reservation)
1 acre 0.40 ha Atlantic Ocean
Revolutionary War fort; 1/2 mile of Buzzards Bay beachfront
Fort Revere Park Plymouth
42°18′17″N 70°54′21″W / 42.30472°N 70.90583°W / 42.30472; -70.90583 (Fort Revere Park)
6 acres 2.4 ha 1976 Atlantic Ocean
On Telegraph Hill in Hull, Massachusetts. Remnants of two seacoast fortifications, water tower with observation deck, military history museum and picnic facilities
Francis D. Martini Memorial Shell Park and Moynihan Recreation Area Suffolk
42°14′36″N 71°7′37″W / 42.24333°N 71.12694°W / 42.24333; -71.12694 (Francis D. Martini Memorial Shell Park and Moynihan Recreation Area)
5.6 acres 2.3 ha Neponset River Outdoor theatre and play fields
Freetown-Fall River State Forest Bristol
41°45′28″N 71°3′48″W / 41.75778°N 71.06333°W / 41.75778; -71.06333 (Freetown-Fall River State Forest)
5,217 acres 2,111 ha 1930
The park includes Profile Rock, a granite outcropping which local Native Americans believe to be the image of Chief Massasoit. Also in the forest is a 227-acre (92 ha) Wampanoag reservation
Gardner Heritage State Park Worcester
42°34′38″N 71°59′39″W / 42.57722°N 71.99417°W / 42.57722; -71.99417 (Gardner Heritage State Park)
0 acres 0 ha 1985
Restored 19th century fire station with exhibits; closed since 2002
Georgetown-Rowley State Forest Essex
42°42′5″N 70°58′26″W / 42.70139°N 70.97389°W / 42.70139; -70.97389 (Georgetown-Rowley State Forest)
1,041 acres 421 ha
Granville State Forest Hampden
42°3′35″N 72°58′17″W / 42.05972°N 72.97139°W / 42.05972; -72.97139 (Granville State Forest)
2,432 acres 984 ha 1921 Hubbard River
Great Brook Farm State Park Middlesex
42°33′21″N 71°21′12″W / 42.55583°N 71.35333°W / 42.55583; -71.35333 (Great Brook Farm State Park)
909 acres 368 ha 1967 Meadow Pond
Greycourt State Park Essex
42°43′46″N 71°10′51″W / 42.72944°N 71.18083°W / 42.72944; -71.18083 (Greycourt State Park)
24 acres 9.7 ha 2001
The park is built atop the restored ruins of the Charles H. Tenney estate.
Halibut Point State Park Essex
42°41′22″N 70°37′59″W / 42.68944°N 70.63306°W / 42.68944; -70.63306 (Halibut Point State Park)
55 acres 22 ha 1981
Features a former granite quarry and 60-foot (18 m) tower with coastal views
Hammond Pond Reservation Middlesex
42°19′30″N 71°10′36″W / 42.32500°N 71.17667°W / 42.32500; -71.17667 (Hammond Pond Reservation)
59 acres 24 ha 1968
Hampton Ponds State Park Hampden
42°10′45″N 72°41′22″W / 42.17917°N 72.68944°W / 42.17917; -72.68944 (Hampton Ponds State Park)
47 acres 19 ha Pequot Pond
Harold Parker State Forest Essex
42°37′33″N 71°4′54″W / 42.62583°N 71.08167°W / 42.62583; -71.08167 (Harold Parker State Forest)
3,320 acres 1,340 ha 1916 Stearns Pond
Hemlock Gorge Reservation Middlesex
42°18′52″N 71°13′35″W / 42.31444°N 71.22639°W / 42.31444; -71.22639 (Hemlock Gorge Reservation)
16 acres 6.5 ha 1895 Charles River
Holyoke Heritage State Park Hampden
42°12′18″N 72°36′26″W / 42.20500°N 72.60722°W / 42.20500; -72.60722 (Holyoke Heritage State Park)
7 acres 2.8 ha 1986
The park features include a visitor center with exhibits about paper manufacturing and Holyoke's industrial and cultural history.
Hopkinton State Park Middlesex
42°14′57″N 71°31′32″W / 42.24917°N 71.52556°W / 42.24917; -71.52556 (Hopkinton State Park)
1,245 acres 504 ha 1947 Hopkinton Reservoir
The park features a bathing pond for swimming that is physically separated from the reservoir, where nonmotorized boating is permitted
Horseneck Beach State Reservation Bristol
41°30′28″N 71°2′55″W / 41.50778°N 71.04861°W / 41.50778; -71.04861 (Horseneck Beach State Reservation)
815 acres 330 ha 1956
Popular for its two-mile (3 km) long sandy beach on the shore of Buzzards Bay. Also camping, fishing and a salt marsh.
Jug End State Reservation and Wildlife Management Area Berkshire 1,191 acres 482 ha 1994
Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest Franklin 7,405 acres 2,997 ha 1997 Hallockville Pond, Crooked Pond
Lake Dennison Recreation Area Worcester 121 acres 49 ha Lake Dennison
The park is an extension of Otter River State Forest
Lake Lorraine State Park Hampden 3 acres 1.2 ha closed to the public
Lake Wyola State Park Franklin 42 acres 17 ha 1997 Lake Wyola
Lawrence Heritage State Park Essex 50 acres 20 ha 1980
Leominster State Forest Worcester 4,246 acres 1,718 ha 1922
The Midstate Trail runs through the western edge of the forest.
Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest Middlesex 1,109 acres 449 ha 1941
Lowell Heritage State Park Middlesex 60 acres 24 ha 1975 Merrimack River
Precursor to Lowell National Historical Park; preserves the city's seminal role in the American Industrial Revolution
Lynn Heritage State Park Essex 4 acres 1.6 ha 1986
Lynn Shore Reservation Essex 22 acres 8.9 ha
Manuel F. Correllus State Forest Dukes 5,215 acres 2,110 ha 1908 Little Pond In the interior of Martha's Vineyard, the park is the focus of one of the largest environmental restoration projects in the country.
Massasoit State Park Bristol 1,207 acres 488 ha Lake Rico, Furnace Pond, King's Pond, Middle Pond, Little Bearhole Pond, and Big Bearhole Pond
Maudslay State Park Essex 483 acres 195 ha 1985 Merrimack River
Middlesex Fells Reservation Middlesex 2,283 acres 924 ha 1893 Bellevue and Spot Ponds
Mohawk Trail State Forest Franklin 7,758 acres 3,140 ha 1921 Includes Cold River Virgin Forest, National Natural Landmark
Monroe State Forest Franklin 3,750 acres 1,520 ha 1924 Dunbar Brook
Moore State Park Worcester 737 acres 298 ha Eames Pond
Mount Everett State Reservation Berkshire 2,492 acres 1,008 ha 1908 Guilder Pond
Mount Grace State Forest Franklin 1,578 acres 639 ha 1920 Mount Grace
Mount Greylock State Reservation Berkshire 12,455 acres 5,040 ha 1898
Mount Holyoke Range State Park Hampshire 3,000 acres 1,200 ha 1940
Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation Franklin 533 acres 216 ha 1907
Mount Tom State Reservation Hampden 1,967 acres 796 ha 1902
Mount Washington State Forest Berkshire 4,619 acres 1,869 ha 1958
Myles Standish Monument State Reservation Plymouth 30 acres 12 ha 1920
A 120-foot (37 m) tower with 125 steps that overlooks Plymouth Harbor and Duxbury Beach.
Myles Standish State Forest Plymouth 12,029 acres 4,868 ha 1916
Pitch pine and scrub oak forest with sixteen ponds for fishing, canoeing, swimming. Camping on four of the ponds, bicycle trails, equestrian trails, and horse camping.
Mystic River Reservation Middlesex 359 acres 145 ha 1893 Mystic Lakes; Mystic River
Nahant Beach Reservation Essex 67 acres 27 ha Atlantic Ocean
Nantasket Beach Reservation Plymouth 39 acres 16 ha
Nasketucket Bay State Reservation Plymouth 210 acres 85 ha 1999
Natural Bridge State Park Berkshire 44 acres 18 ha 1985 Hudson Brook
It contains the only natural white marble arch/bridge in North America. The natural bridge spanning Hudson Brook, was formed by glacial melt about 11,000 BC, from 550 million year old bedrock.
Neponset River Reservation Suffolk 1,880 acres 760 ha
Nickerson State Park Barnstable 1,967 acres 796 ha 1934 Cliff Pond
October Mountain State Forest Berkshire 16,460 acres 6,660 ha 1915
Otter River State Forest Worcester 1,022 acres 414 ha 1915 Otter River, Millers River
Pearl Hill State Park Middlesex 1,000 acres 400 ha Park Hill Brook
Pilgrim Memorial State Park Plymouth 6 acres 2.4 ha 1920
Site of Plymouth Rock
Pittsfield State Forest Berkshire 10,601 acres 4,290 ha
Pope John Paul II Park Reservation Suffolk 66 acres 27 ha 2001 Neponset River Estuary
Reclaimed former landfill and commercial area
Purgatory Chasm State Reservation Worcester 100 acres 40 ha 1919
The Chasm was created when glacial meltwater from a burst ice dam ripped out blocks of bedrock at the end of the last Ice Age (14,000 years ago).
Quabbin Reservoir Hampshire 39 sq mi 100 km2 1938
Quincy Quarries Reservation Norfolk 22 acres 8.9 ha 1985
Quincy Shores Reservation Norfolk 87 acres 35 ha 1899
Quinsigamond State Park Worcester 38 acres 15 ha
Revere Beach Reservation Suffolk 84 acres 34 ha 1896
Robinson State Park Hampden 1,025 acres 415 ha 1934 Westfield River
Roxbury Heritage State Park Suffolk 3 acres 1.2 ha 1992
The 1750 Dillaway-Thomas House and a small park
Rumney Marsh Reservation Essex, Suffolk 815 acres 330 ha 1992 Saugus River; Pines River
Rutland State Park Worcester 284 acres 115 ha Whitehall Pond Swimming, picnicking and boating.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation Essex 355 acres 144 ha 1931
The park's main feature is its 3.8-mile (6.1 km)-long beach, one of the most popular in the Commonwealth.
Sandisfield State Forest Berkshire 4,190 acres 1,700 ha York Lake
Sandy Point State Reservation Essex 134 acres 54 ha
Savoy Mountain State Forest Berkshire 10,457 acres 4,232 ha 1918
Scusset Beach State Reservation Barnstable 459 acres 186 ha 1957
On Cape Cod Bay at the east end of the Cape Cod Canal, a popular swimming and camping area.
Shawme-Crowell State Forest Barnstable 624 acres 253 ha
Forested 285 site campground
J.A. Skinner State Park Hampshire 843 acres 341 ha 1940 Connecticut River
South Cape Beach State Park Barnstable 460 acres 190 ha
A component of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve with a one-mile (1.6 km) stretch of beach.
Southwest Corridor Park Suffolk 221 acres 89 ha 1987
Greenway of 4.7 miles (7.6 km) that runs South End, Back Bay, Roxbury and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods
Spencer State Forest Worcester 903 acres 365 ha 1922 Howe Pond
Squantum Point Park Norfolk 46 acres 19 ha 2001
Stony Brook Reservation Suffolk 616 acres 249 ha 1894 Turtle Pond
Streeter Point Recreation Area Worcester 1 acre 0.40 ha East Brimfield Reservoir Fishing, swimming, picnicking
Sudbury Reservoir Middlesex; Worcester 4,943 acres 2,000 ha 1898 Sudbury Reservoir
Tolland State Forest Berkshire 4,415 acres 1,787 ha 1925 Otis Reservoir
Upper Charles River Reservation Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk 863 acres 349 ha Charles River
Covers Charles River between Watertown Dam and Riverdale Park, West Roxbury; see also Charles River Reservation
Upton State Forest Worcester 2,790 acres 1,130 ha 1915
Has Civilian Conservation Corps structures
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation Worcester 2,288 acres 926 ha 1899
Wachusett Reservoir Worcester 4,135 acres 1,673 ha 1908 Nashua River; Quinapoxet River
Wahconah Falls State Park Berkshire 48 acres 19 ha Wahconah Falls Brook
Walden Pond State Reservation Middlesex 335 acres 136 ha 1922 Walden Pond
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Barnstable 110 acres 45 ha 1987 Waquoit Bay; Quashnet River; Childs River; ponds
Ware River Watershed Area Worcester 23,000 acres 9,300 ha
Watson Pond State Park Bristol 163 acres 66 ha
Webb Memorial State Park Norfolk 59 acres 24 ha 1980 Hingham Bay
Wells State Park Worcester 1,445 acres 585 ha 1968 Walker Pond
Wendell State Forest Franklin 7,566 acres 3,062 ha 1921 Millers River, Quabbin Reservoir
Western Gateway Heritage State Park Berkshire 8 acres 3.2 ha 1986
Weymouth Back River Reservation Norfolk 35 acres 14 ha
Site of Stodder's Neck and Abigail Adams Park
Whitehall State Park Middlesex 837 acres 339 ha 1947 Whitehall Reservoir
Willard Brook State Forest Middlesex 2,929 acres 1,185 ha 1930
Willowdale State Forest Essex 2,491 acres 1,008 ha Hood Pond
Wilson Mountain Reservation Norfolk 215 acres 87 ha 1995
Windsor State Forest Berkshire 1,824 acres 738 ha 1925 Westfield River
Winthrop Shore Reservation Suffolk 18 acres 7.3 ha 1900 Atlantic Ocean
Wompatuck State Park Plymouth 3,579 acres 1,448 ha 1967 Aaron River Reservoir

State trails

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Name Towns County Length Estab-
lished
Image Remarks
mi km
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail Cheshire, Lanesborough, Adams Berkshire 11 mi 18 km 2001
Conversion of rail corridor dating from 1845
Canalside Rail Trail Deerfield, Montague Franklin 3.7 mi 6.0 km 2008
Trail along the Connecticut River
Cape Cod Rail Trail Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet Barnstable 25.5 mi 41.0 km 1976
22-mile trail on Cape Cod
Lower Neponset River Trail City of Boston Suffolk 2.4 mi 3.9 km 2010[4]
Runs along the Neponset River in Dorchester
Mahican-Mohawk Trail Berkshire, Franklin 30 mi 48 km In development
Mass Central Rail Trail—Wayside Waltham, Weston, Wayland, Sudbury, Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Bolton, Berlin Middlesex, Worcester 23 mi 37 km 2010
In development, sections in Waltham, Wayland, Weston, and Hudson are complete.
Nashua River Rail Trail Ayer, Groton, Pepperell, Dunstable Middlesex 12.5 mi 20.1 km 2002
Trail along the Nashua River
Norwottuck Rail Trail Northampton, Hadley, Amherst, Belchertown Hampshire 11 mi 18 km 1992
Part of the Mass Central Rail Trail
Southern New England Trunkline Trail Douglas, Uxbridge, Millville, Blackstone, Bellingham, Franklin Norfolk, Worcester 22 mi 35 km 1984
22-mile trail from Franklin State Forest to Douglas State Forest


Other trails

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Name Towns County Length Estab-
lished
Image Remarks
mi km
Appalachian Trail Great Barrington, Dalton, Cheshire, North Adams, Williamstown Berkshire 90 mi 140 km 1923
Part of 2200-mile East Coast foot trail; maintained by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Massachusetts State Parks". MassParks. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  2. ^ "2012 Acreage Listing" (PDF). Department of Conservation and Recreation. April 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  3. ^ "Section 7. Bristol Blake State Reservation". Mass.gov. Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  4. ^ Mink, Jessica. "The Neponset River: A History". NeponsetGreenway.org. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
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