Looking for access to nature in the Boston area? You won’t have to roam too far from the city to enjoy the region’s diverse ecosystems and beautiful natural scenery.
From coastal vistas and riverside wetlands to working farms and wildlife sanctuaries, these recommendations invite you to explore New England’s unique landscapes and rich heritage. Lace up your walking shoes and prepare to uncover some of the area’s most remarkable trails and outdoor experiences accessible year-round.
1. Halibut Point State Park
Take in sprawling views of the Atlantic Ocean and granite shores of New England at the Halibut Point State Park. This rocky peninsula, which protects Ipswich Bay, has been utilized as a military outpost during WWII and a granite quarry throughout the 20th century.
Fun fact: Many of Boston’s iconic houses, roads, bridges, tunnels, and monuments are constructed from Halibut Point stone. Today, the park’s coastal ecosystem supports a robust collection of wildlife.
Get the lay of the land on the 1.6-mile Halibut Point Trail, which circumnavigates the historic quarry. Peer into the rocky tidepools to spot snails, hermit crabs, and sea stars. Then, enjoy the macro views of the ocean and shoreline. On a clear day, hikers can see Mount Agamenticus in Maine and New Hampshire’s Isle of Shoals.
- Length: 1.6 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: Available at visitor center
- Parking: Lot available on-site; fees applicable from late May to mid-October
- Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
- Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset year-round
- Material: G-1000: 65% polyester (recycled), 35% cotton (organic)
- Lining: 100% polyamide (recycled)
- Filling: 95% goose down, 5% feather
- Activity: Everyday outdoor
- Features: Adaptable with Greenland Wax, insulating, durable, water resistant, wind resistant
- Clothing layer: Outerwear
- 5 pockets: Chest pocket(s), hand pocket(s), inner pocket(s)
2. Appleton Farms
One of the oldest running farms in the country — Appleton Farms — is just a short distance from Boston. Established in 1638, this working farm between Hamilton and Ipswich remained in the family through nine generations.
Today, visitors can explore the grounds on 12 miles of trails open to the public, including a section that intersects with the regional Bay Circuit Trail. Wander through pastures, woodlands, and wetlands, where resident and migratory wildlife find refuge. Spot deer, fox, coyote, and mink in the fields. Then, head to the grasslands, where you’ll find one of the largest populations of bobolinks and meadowlarks in New England.
After your walk, stop by the farm store to purchase the farm’s organic produce and grass-fed beef in addition to locally sourced items and artisan baked goods.
- Length: 12 miles of trails over 1,000 acres
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: Available at the farmhouse and visitor parking
- Parking: Multiple paid lots available; members park for free
- Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed in the Grass Rides area only; must be on leash
- Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset
- Material: 49% polyamide (recycled), 43% polyester, 8% elastane
- Activity: Trekking
- Features: Durable, stretch
- Clothing layer: Outerwear
- 3 pockets: Hand pocket(s), phone pocket
- Waist: High waist
3. Maudslay State Park
Just north of Boston off I-95, Maudslay State Park offers a unique respite from city life. The 480-acre park was once an estate nestled between two rivers. The land became a state park in 1985, but the estate’s 19th-century gardens remain intact for visitors to enjoy.
In addition to the manicured gardens, the park preserves meadows, groves of soaring pine trees, and one of Massachusett’s largest naturally occurring mountain laurel groves. Explore on foot, bike, or horseback. Or break out the cross-country skis to enjoy a particularly stunning version of the park after a fresh layer of snow.
- Length: 16 miles of trails over 480 acres
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: Available at main entrance
- Parking: Paid lots available
- Dog-friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
- Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset
- Material: G-1000 HeavyDuty: 65% polyester (recycled), 35% cotton (organic)
- Lining: 100% polyamide (recycled)
- Activity: Everyday outdoor
- Features: Adaptable with Greenland Wax, breathable, durable, water resistant, windproof, quick-drying
- Height: 47 cm
- Width: 31 cm
- Depth: 21 cm
- Laptop size: 15"
- 6 pockets: Open side pocket(s), zippered front pocket, zippered inside pocket(s)
4. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Pack your binoculars for a jaunt to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Located on Plum Island — off the coast of Newburyport — this 4,700-acre preserve is a haven for more than 300 species of resident and migratory birds and a favorite locale among birders. Keep an eye out for one of the refuge’s most esteemed avian inhabitants: the snowy owl, which migrates south to spend winter months in Massachusetts.
Walk the 1.3-mile Hellcat Interpretive Trail to get acquainted with the area. Informational signage along the boardwalk provides context to the wide range of ecosystems, including beaches, dunes, shrubs, forests, bogs, and mud flats.
- Length: 1.3 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: Available at all parking lots
- Parking: Multiple paid lots available
- Dog-friendliness: No dogs allowed
- Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset
- Material: 100% wool (traceable)
- Activity: Everyday outdoor
- Clothing layer: Midlayer
- Features: Insulates in wet condition, insulating, odor-resistant
5. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
As Mass Audubon’s largest preserve, the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is a top spot for year-round birding in the Boston area. The 2,800-acre parcel has meadows, forests, and wetlands — all important habitats to a multitude of avian species.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you may spot wood ducks, great horned owls, northern saw-whet owls, pileated woodpeckers, and more. In the winter, curious chickadees, tufted titmice, and nuthatches often approach visitors to inquire about snacks.
Birds aren’t the only draw to the area. Along the preserve’s 12 miles of interconnected trails, witness remnants of the region’s glacial past in the unique landscape features, including drumlin, eskers, glacial streams, and rock deposits. Plus, don’t miss the man-made rock grotto. Built in the 1900s, this collection of narrow passages and caves makes for a fun afternoon of exploration and climbing.
- Length: 12 miles of trails over 2,800 acres
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: Available near the park’s office
- Parking: Paid lot available
- Dog-friendliness: No dogs allowed
- Hours: Tuesday–Sunday from sunrise to sunset
This post is sponsored by Fjällräven.