Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket have woods and beach places to walk

Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Wasque Reservation, East Beach

Dike Road (on Chappaquiddick Island adjacent to Martha's Vineyard) Edgartown, MA 02539 Phone: 508-627-7689

Chappaquiddick Island’s eastern edge is a barrier beach that extends for seven miles from Wasque Point past the Cape Poge Lighthouse to the Gut. The refuge offers 14 miles of beachfront and oversand vehicle and walking trails. Facilities include picnic tables, bike rack, restrooms, which are open May 30 to October 30. Fresh water is available by hand pump at the Wasque and Mytoi parking areas. Annual over-sand vehicle permits available for qualified vehicle owners. Tours include a natural history tour, a wildlife kayak or canoe tour, a fishing discovery tour, and Cape Poge Lighthouse tour. Entrance fee May 30 to October 15; free to pedestrians off season. Open year-round, daily, 24 hours. Gatehouse open May 30-October 15, daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Cedar Tree Neck Wildlife Sanctuary

Indian Hill Road West Tisbury, MA

This preserve along the Martha's Vineyard north shore features several trails with numerous scenic views.

Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge

Wauwinet Road Wauwinet (on the island of Nantucket), MA 02554 Phone: 508-228-5646

Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge is known for its historic lighthouse, white sand beaches, and world-class fishing. Rolling maritime dunes cover more than 200 acres. Refuge includes 16 miles of over-sand vehicle and walking trails and beach front. Gray and harbor seals feed in the Great Point riptide. Facilities include public restrooms between the Wauwinet Gatehouse and Great Point Lighthouse and at the lighthouse. Both are open May 1 to October 31. Bike rack at the Wauwinet Gatehouse. Seasonal tours of the Great Point Lighthouse and the natural wonders of the refuge. Hours: Year-round, daily, 24 hours (10 p.m.-5 a.m. - fishing access only). Cost: Free to all pedestrians and boaters.

Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary

Edgartown Road Edgartown, MA Phone: 508-627-4850

Vistors to this nature center will find plenty of self-guided trails, as well as live native birds. Of particular interest are ospreys nesting in their natural environment. There is an admission fee.

Long Point Wildlife Refuge

Off Long Point Road West Tisbury (on the island of Martha's Vineyard), MA Phone: 508-693-7662

At more than 600 acres, Long Point is one of the largest publicly accessible properties on Martha's Vineyard. It encompasses beach, dune, and woodland. Popular in summer, the property is also an off-season treasure, especially for birders and other nature-watchers. The property has 2.1 miles of flat trails through woods and open areas, plus beachfront. Easy walking. Hours: Mid-June to mid-September, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (gate closes at 6 p.m.). Mid-September to mid-June, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of two hours. Facilities: Public restrooms. Picnic tables. Bike rack. Small visitor center.

Manuel Correllus State Forest

Barnes Road Edgartown, MA Phone: 508-693-2540

Correllus State Forest occupies over 5,100 acres in the center of Martha's Vineyard. It is managed for passive recreation, mostly hiking and cycling on its 15 miles of bike paths. It is also the focus of one of the largest environmental restoration projects in the country. The Great Plain that forms much of Martha's Vineyard supports an unusual concentration of rare species and extensive examples of several uncommon sand-plain communities, including grasslands, heathlands, barrens, and woodlands, dominated by mixed oak-pine.

Menemsha Hills

North Road, Chilmark Martha’s Vineyard, MA Phone: 508-693-3678

The highlight of Menemsha Hills is Prospect Hill, one of the highest points on Martha's Vineyard, whose spectacular view includes the village of Menemsha, the Elizabeth Islands, and Gay Head Light. Former woods roads and footpaths pass through several distinct ecosystems, including perched wetlands that support red maples, cinquefoil, beech, and black cherry. At Menemsha Hills bluffs, a view of the Great Sand Bank provides a reminder of the Vineyard's glacial origin, and to the northeast stands the remains of a tall brick chimney, the last vestige of a 19th-century brickyard that operated here.

Norton Point

Edgartown (on the island of Martha's Vineyard), MA Phone: 508-627-7689

This 2.5-mile-long strip of sand and dunes served as a vital link between Martha's Vineyard and the island of Chappaquiddick until 2007, when a major ocean storm caused a breach in the barrier beach. This beach provides opportunities for shellfishing, swimming, bird watching, and picnicking. In the autumn, the extensive sandflats are used by migrating shorebirds for feeding and resting. Due to recent beach erosion, there is only 1.8 miles of oversand-vehicle trails. There are 4.5 miles of walking trails and sandy roads in the upland area.
The western end of Norton Point Beach abuts the state-owned bathing beach, South Beach, which has lifeguards and seasonal restrooms and changing areas. The eastern side of Norton Point Beach abuts Wasque Reservation, owned by The Trustees of Reservations, which is also connected to Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge.
Open year-round, daily. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.Free for pedestrians. Oversand vehicle (OSV) permit fees: Annual permits are $100 if vehicle is not registered on Martha's Vineyard; $60 if vehicle is registered on Martha's Vineyard. Permit is valid April 1 to March 31. Daily OSV passes are available at the gatehouse only; $30 if vehicle is not registered on Martha's Vineyard; $20 if vehicle is registered on Martha's Vineyard.

Winnetu Oceanside Resort

At South Beach on Martha's Vineyard
31 Dunes Road Edgartown, MA 02539 Phone: 508-310-1733 Toll-Free: 866-335-1133 USA Only Fax: 508-310-7900

For Families, Romance, Weddings, and Groups

The Winnetu Oceanside Resort is located at South Beach, Edgartown, on Martha’s Vineyard and offers a spectacular, ocean-view location.

Our Resort enjoys direct access to the bike, walking, and jogging path to Edgartown, and points beyond, and we offer a convenient bicycle delivery service for our guests.

After your outing, relax in our accommodations, which include 1-to-4 bedroom, air-conditioned suites with decks/patios and kitchenettes, cottages or private townhouse/home rentals. You can also enjoy complimentary activities such as tennis, a fitness center, 2 heated pools, yoga classes, and our Children’s Day Program. Guests can also partake of our massages; Parent /Toddler and Teen Programs; a life-size, outdoor chess set; antique fire truck rides, and family-friendly dining at our Lure Grill restaurant.