10 Nature & Parks in Massachusetts That You Shouldn't Miss

May 4, 2022 Russell Mellin

Discover the best top things to do in Massachusetts, United States including Cape Cod National Seashore, Shining Sea Bikeway, Kalmus Beach, Minuteman Trail Bikeway, Minute Man National Historical Park, Cape Cod Rail Trail, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Herring Cove Beach, Halibut Point State Park, Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (The Knob).
Restaurants in Massachusetts

1. Cape Cod National Seashore

99 Marconi Site Rd, MA 02667-8142 (508) 255-3421 https://www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 625 reviews

Cape Cod National Seashore

Over 40,000 beautiful acres of protected beach and dunes, stretching from Chatham to Provincetown.

Reviewed By StacyInDC2012 - Alexandria, United States

During our visit to Cape Cod National Seashore we enjoyed relaxing beach time at Marconi Beach, complete with several seal appearances just beyond the waves and then hiked in the white cedar swamp. The park wasn’t very crowded as we were there during the week just after Labor Day. Loved the visit and the fact that it gave us the opportunity to both be active and relax.

2. Shining Sea Bikeway

Falmouth, MA +1 508-548-8500 http://www.shiningseabikeway.com
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,029 reviews

Shining Sea Bikeway

Reviewed By MingO_11 - Boston, United States

This is arguably the most scenic bike trail in Cape Cod. It has almost everything Cape Cod bike trails have to offer: the marsh, the cranberry bog, picturesque cape towns, and of course the shining sea. A few tips: Near the Woods Hole terminus of the trail, there is a very good bakery called Pie in the Sky, which is a good stop to refuel. Also from there, the Nobska lighthouse is close by (~1 mile away), which also worth a side trip.

3. Kalmus Beach

Hyannis, MA
Excellent
46%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 394 reviews

Kalmus Beach

Its convenient location makes Kalmus one of the Hyannis area's most popular beaches.

Reviewed By Cwhite472

My 8yr old and 4 1/2yr old loved this beach. Clean, beautiful and quiet. Lots of seashells and plenty of space to walk around and distance yourself from other visitors. People around were very friendly

4. Minuteman Trail Bikeway

+1 781-316-3090 http://www.minutemanbikeway.org/
Excellent
58%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 88 reviews

Minuteman Trail Bikeway

This 10-mile paved path covers part of the route of Paul Revere's midnight ride.

Reviewed By oldbiker52

The Minuteman rail trail runs from Bedford to Cambridge, Ma. 12 miles one way. It is a very well maintained trail rich in history. The trail runs along the side of Lexington green the site of the Revolutionary battle. Bedford, Arlington and Cambridge are also rich with history. There are two addition trails that start in Bedford. One of which leads to the Old North Bridge in Concord five miles away. Definitely worth the ride or hike.

5. Minute Man National Historical Park

174 Liberty St, Concord, MA 01742-1705 +1 978-369-6993 http://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 774 reviews

Minute Man National Historical Park

The more than 900 acres of this national park run along the route of the battle of Lexington and Concord.

Reviewed By djanel2016 - Knoxville, United States

I would recommend starting your tour of the Minute Man National Historical park with a stop by the visitor center and watching their great multimedia presentation. They use a variety of methods to explain the Battles of Lexington and Concord. I have been to several national historical parks and this was, by far, the best multimedia presentation i have seen, both entertaining and educational. Make sure to go to the North Bridge visitors center as well,

6. Cape Cod Rail Trail

MA +1 508-896-3491 http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/cape-cod-rail-trail.html
Excellent
76%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 445 reviews

Cape Cod Rail Trail

This bike path runs 25 miles, from Dennis to Wellfleet.

Reviewed By O8419NOadamw

For a family of 5 it is a great mostly straight long mostly very flat bike trail through a forest. It is an easy ride and great for young riders as my nine year old was able to go 17 miles with relative ease. I could see some complaints as there are some riders who act like it's the tour de france racing through the trail with little regard to others while others could think it is mostly a boring forest scenery. We started in Brewster at the Ocean Edge and the scenery was much nicer west towards Dennis

7. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

30 Wikis Way on Morris Island, Chatham, MA 02633-2557 +1 508-945-0594 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Monomoy/
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 289 reviews

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Birdwatchers flock to this Cape Cod wildlife habitat with a special emphasis on migratory birds.

Reviewed By kezd07 - Coventry, United Kingdom

We were so pleased to find this place, it was a total hidden gem. You can walk for miles when the tide is out and we saw so many different birds and even a seal out to sea. We came back a second time and sat on the beach for the day. You can’t swim here due to great whites in the area and there is a high volume of boat traffic but that didn’t bother us. We were happy to walk this beautiful beach, sunbath and paddle. Very beautiful!!!

8. Herring Cove Beach

Provincetown, MA
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 939 reviews

Herring Cove Beach

Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Herring Cove is Provincetown's most popular beach.

Reviewed By robynf699

Herring cove beach is a great place to relax and watch the sunset, there is a brand new parking lot with a mat to walk down to the beach.

9. Halibut Point State Park

Gott Ave, Rockport, MA 01966 +1 978-546-2997 [email protected] http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/halibut-point-state-park.html
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 725 reviews

Halibut Point State Park

Scramble across ledges scarred by the granite industry and examine tide pools teeming with marine life.

Reviewed By hmuchas - Charleston, United States

Wonderful walk around an old granite quarry with markers explaining the process of extracting granite in the days before electric drills and heavy equipment.

10. Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (The Knob)

Quissett Harbor Rd., Falmouth, MA 02543 +1 508-548-8484 [email protected] http://www.saltpond.info/knob.shtml
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 238 reviews

Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (The Knob)

Before you go.. there is very limited parking. Please try to walk or bike there for a visit. No large gatherings, events or functions are allowed on the Knob property. Nature trails run among the beach, rock and trees of this hidden shelter. Please leave the property as you found it. Dogs are allowed but only on leash. Please clean-up after your dog. This is a non-smoking property.

Reviewed By johnmN719YN - Mashpee, United States

You won't just discover this place. Even when you park, you will have to search for the path through the "tunnel" to entrance. A very unique vista of buzzard bay all year round.TAKE THE RIGHT ST THE FORK!

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