Massachusetts state and local parks are home to a huge range of activities, as different as salt-water fishing at the Cape Cod National Seashore to the hiking to summits with vast vistas into Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York from the mountainous parks of the Berkshires region. Some tell tales of the state's history, like at Minute Man National Park in the Merrimack region, where the Revolutionary War began. Activities from boating to cross-country skiing and all manner of sports in between give pleasure to families and children and people of all ages. The listings below are a selection from scores of state parks in the Bay State; many are not included. Visit the state parks website to read more.
Islands in Boston Harbor, and easy ferry ride from downtown. Swimming, hiking, picnicking. A fun day trip
Beach Road, Route 1A Salisbury, MA, 01952 Phone: 508-462-4481
Popular for trailer camping; ocean beach, swimming, boating, fishing
174 Liberty Street Concord, MA Phone: 508-369-6993
Rockwell Road Lanesborough, MA Phone: 413-499-4262
Good for vistas, hiking, camping, scenic drives. Roads closed in winter. Lodging in season
175 Mohawk Trail / Route 2 Charlemont, MA, 01339 Phone: 413-339-5504
Dike Road (on Chappaquiddick Island near Martha's Vineyard) Edgartown, MA, 02539 Phone: 508-627-7689
Magnificent barrier beach with sandy shoreline & salt marsh and pond; good for walking, natural beauty
Cape Street, Route 112 Goshen, MA Phone: 413-268-7098
Good for boating, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and winter sports; pets permitted except on sandy beach; non-motorized boats only.
43 Commonwealth Road Natick, MA Phone: 508-653-9641
Day-use park for water sports; some sports are allowed or prohibited on the 3 sections of the lake
Salt Pond Visitor Center at Nauset Road and Route 6 Eastham, MA, 02642 Phone: 508-255-3421
Magnificent national park encompasses all shoreline and interior features of Cape Cod
160 Pawtucket Blvd Lowell, MA Phone: 978-458-8750
Park describes the history of this industrial city; also boating, fishing, and walking along esplanade
289 Pearl Street Gardner, MA Phone: 508-632-7897
Water sports on pond; walking trails; Nordic skiing and ice skating. Fully wheelchair accessible
Valentine Road Pittsfield, MA Phone: 413-499-9344
Park on fresh water lake; fishing, boat ramp; life guards
462 North Street Feeding Hills, MA Phone: 413-786-2877
Good for paddling, picnics, swimming, fishing, and views
69 Bluehill Road Monterey, MA, 01245 Phone: 413-528-0904
Good for non-motorized boating, walking & hiking, camping, snowmobiling; fishing; leashed pets allowed
Falls Road Mount Washington, MA Phone: 413-528-0330
Good for hiking and picnicking; fishing; leashed pets allowed
String of urban parks along Charles River offers walking, biking, paddling, boat ramps
West Street Petersham, MA Phone: 978-544-3939
Good for fishing, walking, and nature viewing. No pets allowed.
Asbury Street and Ipswich Road Topsfield, MA Phone: 508-887-5931
Great for walking, picnicking, enjoying spring flowers; horseback riding. Wading pool for kids
7 Industrial Park Road West Sturbridge, MA Phone: 508-347-9316
Swimming, fishing, & picnicking next to reservoir. Boat ramps. Wheelchair access
86 Winchendon Road Baldwinville, MA Phone: 508-939-8962
Camping, water sports, hiking
Off Mystic Valley Parkway Medford, Somerville, Everett, MA Phone: 617-727-5380
Series of parks and green spaces along Mystic River; accessible by MBTA trains; walking, biking, picnicking, swimming
1041 Cascade Street Pittsfield, MA Phone: 413-442-8992
Good for handicap-accessible recreation, fishing, walking & hiking.
1 Jackson Street Lawrence, MA Phone: 508-794-1655
Park describes the history of this early industrial city and its immigrant workers
South Sandwich Road Mashpee & Sandwich, MA, 02563 Phone: 508-636-4693
Extensive walking trails among holly and rhododendron gardens; two ponds stocked with fish
305 Middleton Road North Andover, MA, 01845 Phone: 508-686-3391
In-the-forest camping; miles of logging roads for hiking and mountain biking; fishing and paddling (no motor boats)
410 Tolland Road East Otis, MA Phone: 413-269-6002
Good for many recreational activities including boating, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, and picnics.
570 Burnett Road Chicopee, MA, 01020 Phone: 413-594-9416
Swimming and fishing on a large pond; walking trails
Route 88 South Westport, MA, 02790 Phone: 508-636-8816
Good for boating, fishing, swimming, and camping.
Route 112 Huntington, MA Phone: 413-354-6347
Good for paddling, hiking & walking; fishing; pets allowed except on beach area
204 Union Street Hingham, MA Phone: 617-749-7160
Popular for for camping, fishing, hiking. Some campsites have electricity.
1048 North Road Westfield, MA, 01085 Phone: 413-532-3985
177 Forest Street Saugus, MA Phone: 781-233-0834
Forest with two lakes; swimming; fishing; walking trails; views
392 Montague Road Wendell, MA Phone: 413-659-3797
Good for boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, picnics, and swimming.
260 Central Shaft Road Florida, MA Phone: 413-663-8469
Handicap-accessible hiking and camping; water sports, picnicking, hiking, camping, paddling, pets allowed
Slab Bridge Road Assonet, MA Phone: 508 644-5522
Walking & hiking, winter sports, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing
90 Fitchburg Road / Route 31 Leominster, MA Phone: 508-874-2303
Forested property with 2 ponds, swimming, fishing, paddling, skiing & snowmobiling. No camping
Woodland Road Lee, MA Phone: 413-243-1778
Large mountain park with camping, hiking, boating on Housatonic River
159 Walker Pond Rd. Sturbridge, MA, 01566 Phone: 508 347-9257
Best for camping and hiking; swimming beach for campers only; 5 miles from Old Sturbridge Village
164 Cedar Street Hopkinton, MA, 01748 Phone: 508-435-4303
Located on a reservoir; activities include water sports, hiking, picnicking, skiing and snowmobiling. Boat ramp
Route 3A Plymouth, MA Phone: 508-866-2580
Good for scenic landscapes and coastal views; hiking & walking, and fishing.
1199 Middle Road Clarksburg, MA Phone: 413-664-8345
Recreational activities here include hiking, camping, paddling, fishing, and more.
Gott Avenue Rockport, MA Phone: 508-546-2997
Beautiful sea views; birdwatching; good for walking and picnicking
20 Scusset Beach Road Sagamore, MA Phone: 508-888-0859
Trailer camping; salt water fishing; biking along Cape Cod Canal
William J. Day Blvd. South Boston, MA Phone: 617-727-5290
Bayside string of parks and beaches easily accessible to Boston; walking, swimming, fishing
Route 6A Brewster, MA, 02631 Phone: 508-896-3491
Inland park offers lots of camping; fresh water swimming, fishing and paddling; hiking and biking
Long Pond Road Carver, MA Phone: 508-866-2580
Good for camping, hiking & walking, water activities, and natural science enthusiasts.
Barnes Road Edgartown, MA Phone: 508-693-2540
Hiking and biking through varied ecosystem
107 Wallum Lake Road Douglas, MA Phone: 508-476-7872
Popular state forest on lake with many activities: water sports; horseback riding; hiking trails
136 Damon Road at Route 9 Northampton, MA Phone: 413-586-8706
Route 20 and East Brimfield Holland Road East Brimfield, MA Phone:
86 Dearth Hill Road Brimfield, MA Phone: 413-267-9687
Good for hiking & walking, picnicking, horseback riding; fishing
Route 20 Chester, MA Phone: 413-354-6347
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing
York Lake Road Sandisfield, MA Phone: 413 229-8212
Day area with swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking; parking fee
143 East Street South Egremont, MA, MA Phone: 413-528-0330
Good for scenic views, wilderness camping, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Free access.
McCauley Road, off Route 8 North Adams, MA Phone: 413-663-6392
Remarkable structures in white marble formed by natural forces