Massachusetts has so much more to offer than its capital city of Boston. Between mountains, lakes, wildlife preserves, and the coast, the Bay State has some incredible natural areas to explore. If you’re looking to add to your Massachusetts bucket list, here are some of the best places to explore the state’s natural beauty.
- Cape Cod National Seashore
m01229/Wikimedia Commons Encompassing over 43,000 acres, the Cape Cod National Seashore protects a wide variety of ecosystems. Not only will you find beaches throughout the park but ponds, vast sand dunes, forests, cranberry bogs, and more. There are several historical sites like lighthouses and dune shacks that are found within the Seashore as well. With 40 miles of beaches and 11 hiking trails open year-round, this is a wonderful area for nature lovers to explore.
To learn more, visit the National Park Service website. Provincetown Municipal Airport, 176 Race Point Rd, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
- Purgatory Chasm State Reservation
danlogan/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images The otherworldly rock formations at Purgatory Chasm offer quite a fascinating place to explore. Dating all the way back to the Ice Age around 14,000 years ago, glaciers left behind 70-foot granite walls and it’s quite something to see! Visitors can explore the property along trails with names like Fat Man’s Misery, Lovers’ Leap, and The Coffin.
Visit our previous coverage to learn about one of the hiking trails at Purgatory Chasm. Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, 198 Purgatory Rd, Sutton, MA 01590, USA
- Mount Greylock
bookguy/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Mount Greylock is the highest point in the state of Massachusetts with an elevation of nearly 3,500 feet. Visitors can explore 70 miles of hiking trails throughout the 12,500-acre state reservation it resides in. A trip to the summit, either by hiking or driving, is a must as you’ll be treated to views of four states and nearby mountain ranges on a clear day.
Visit our previous coverage to learn more about Mount Greylock. Mount Greylock, Adams, MA 01220, USA
- Bash Bish Falls
Barry Winiker/ The Image Bank via Getty Images There’s no place quite as scenic as Bish Bash Falls, the highest waterfall in Massachusetts. Located in the Taconic Mountains, you’ll have to hike to get here, but it’s so worth it! This dramatic double waterfall plunges 80 feet into a pool below. Give yourself plenty of time on your visit as you’ll want to spend as much time as possible taking in the scenery here.
Visit our previous coverage to learn more about hiking to Bish Bash Falls. Bash Bish Falls, Mt Washington, MA 01258, USA
- Quabbin Reservoir
James Marshall/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in the state covering 39 square miles with 181 miles of shoreline. The park surrounding the reservoir provides numerous hiking and biking trails to explore the natural beauty of the area.
Visit our previous coverage to learn about a hike at Quabbin Reservoir. Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts, USA
- Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
Barry Winiker/Photodisc via Getty Images If you enjoy birdwatching, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is one place you should go. Established in 1944 in order to protect migratory birds and their habitat, you’ll find hiking trails, marshes, dunes, freshwater ponds, and coastal beaches throughout its 7,600 acres.
To learn more, visit the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge webpage. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge Admin Building And Visitor Contact Station, 1 Wikis Way, Chatham, MA 02633, USA
- Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary/Facebook As part of Mass Audubon, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary protects over 1,100 acres including a barrier beach, salt marsh, and woodlands along the bay. Its variety of ecosystems guarantees a diversity of wildlife species. There is a fee to access the nature center and trail system but what you’ll see here is worth every penny.
To learn more, visit the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary webpage. Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, 291 US-6, South Wellfleet, MA 02663, USA
- World’s End
Villanova87/TripAdvisor If you’re looking for some peace and quiet out in nature, World’s End in Hingham may be the place for you. This 251-acre recreation area is set on a peninsula, so you’ll have plenty of water views. Take a stroll on one of the hiking trails and take in all the beauty and wildlife of this unique hidden gem.
Visit our previous coverage to learn more about World’s End. World’s End, Hingham, MA 02043, USA
- Mount Tom State Reservation
Management/TripAdvisor With approximately 2,000 acres and 20 miles of hiking trails, Mount Tom State Reservation is an ideal place to explore and go birdwatching. You’ll also find several overlooks with breathtaking panoramic views.
Visit our previous coverage to learn about a hike at Mount Tom State Reservation. Mount Tom State Reservation, 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA 01040, USA
m01229/Wikimedia Commons
Encompassing over 43,000 acres, the Cape Cod National Seashore protects a wide variety of ecosystems. Not only will you find beaches throughout the park but ponds, vast sand dunes, forests, cranberry bogs, and more. There are several historical sites like lighthouses and dune shacks that are found within the Seashore as well. With 40 miles of beaches and 11 hiking trails open year-round, this is a wonderful area for nature lovers to explore.
To learn more, visit the National Park Service website.
Provincetown Municipal Airport, 176 Race Point Rd, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
danlogan/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
The otherworldly rock formations at Purgatory Chasm offer quite a fascinating place to explore. Dating all the way back to the Ice Age around 14,000 years ago, glaciers left behind 70-foot granite walls and it’s quite something to see! Visitors can explore the property along trails with names like Fat Man’s Misery, Lovers’ Leap, and The Coffin.
Visit our previous coverage to learn about one of the hiking trails at Purgatory Chasm.
Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, 198 Purgatory Rd, Sutton, MA 01590, USA
bookguy/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Mount Greylock is the highest point in the state of Massachusetts with an elevation of nearly 3,500 feet. Visitors can explore 70 miles of hiking trails throughout the 12,500-acre state reservation it resides in. A trip to the summit, either by hiking or driving, is a must as you’ll be treated to views of four states and nearby mountain ranges on a clear day.
Visit our previous coverage to learn more about Mount Greylock.
Mount Greylock, Adams, MA 01220, USA
Barry Winiker/ The Image Bank via Getty Images
There’s no place quite as scenic as Bish Bash Falls, the highest waterfall in Massachusetts. Located in the Taconic Mountains, you’ll have to hike to get here, but it’s so worth it! This dramatic double waterfall plunges 80 feet into a pool below. Give yourself plenty of time on your visit as you’ll want to spend as much time as possible taking in the scenery here.
Visit our previous coverage to learn more about hiking to Bish Bash Falls.
Bash Bish Falls, Mt Washington, MA 01258, USA
James Marshall/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images
The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in the state covering 39 square miles with 181 miles of shoreline. The park surrounding the reservoir provides numerous hiking and biking trails to explore the natural beauty of the area.
Visit our previous coverage to learn about a hike at Quabbin Reservoir.
Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts, USA
Barry Winiker/Photodisc via Getty Images
If you enjoy birdwatching, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is one place you should go. Established in 1944 in order to protect migratory birds and their habitat, you’ll find hiking trails, marshes, dunes, freshwater ponds, and coastal beaches throughout its 7,600 acres.
To learn more, visit the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge webpage.
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge Admin Building And Visitor Contact Station, 1 Wikis Way, Chatham, MA 02633, USA
Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary/Facebook
As part of Mass Audubon, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary protects over 1,100 acres including a barrier beach, salt marsh, and woodlands along the bay. Its variety of ecosystems guarantees a diversity of wildlife species. There is a fee to access the nature center and trail system but what you’ll see here is worth every penny.
To learn more, visit the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary webpage.
Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, 291 US-6, South Wellfleet, MA 02663, USA
Villanova87/TripAdvisor
If you’re looking for some peace and quiet out in nature, World’s End in Hingham may be the place for you. This 251-acre recreation area is set on a peninsula, so you’ll have plenty of water views. Take a stroll on one of the hiking trails and take in all the beauty and wildlife of this unique hidden gem.
Visit our previous coverage to learn more about World’s End.
World’s End, Hingham, MA 02043, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
With approximately 2,000 acres and 20 miles of hiking trails, Mount Tom State Reservation is an ideal place to explore and go birdwatching. You’ll also find several overlooks with breathtaking panoramic views.
Visit our previous coverage to learn about a hike at Mount Tom State Reservation.
Mount Tom State Reservation, 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA 01040, USA
What do you think of this list of natural areas around Massachusetts to add to your bucket list? What else would you add? Please leave a comment with your favorite place to immerse yourself in nature and join our Massachusetts Nature Lovers Facebook group to connect with other nature enthusiasts.
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