Parks & Trails on Cape Cod, MA
When you hear Cape Cod, images of iconic lighthouses, charming villages, and captivating beaches instantly come to mind. But beyond its famous coastline, this picturesque region also boasts state parks, community hubs, and nature trails. Cape Cod parks feature diverse landscapes, from lush wooded paths and tranquil salt marshes to rolling beach dunes. These natural retreats provide a perfect escape to immerse in the extraordinary beauty of the region.
Whether your passion lies in venturing through dense forests, engaging in birdwatching, or soaking up the breathtaking views of the coastal landscapes, there’s an experience tailored just for you. To truly appreciate the trails and parks on Cape Cod, MA, and all they offer, we’ve created a guide to explore the best spots to explore, hike, and find solace in enchanting parts of New England.
Parks on Cape Cod, MA
40 Lake Ave, Mashpee, MA 02649
Admission: Weekly $50, Season (Resident) $30
Attaquin Park is an 8.4-acre recreation area on the southern shore of Mashpee Pond. It’s perfect for families, offering calm, shallow waters that are ideal for young children to swim in and a playground on the beach. For older kids, there’s a basketball court to enjoy. The grassy picnic area with grills is excellent for a cookout. The beach area is spacious, so it rarely feels overcrowded.
370 Scenic Hwy, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Established in 1951, Bourne Scenic Park offers a beautiful spot for picnics and camping. It has grown significantly to include 439 sites, 408 of which are electric, and recently added cabins and lodges. Visitors can go fishing, hiking, biking, and rollerblading along the Canal. Families can enjoy scheduled activities for kids and adults, a recreation hall with video games and movies, and a store with groceries, ice cream, clothing, and camping supplies.
MA-149, Marstons Mills, MA 02648
Burgess Park, spanning 23 acres, is a community favorite. Named after John Burgess, who donated the land in 1972, it is best known for its disc golf course. This 18-hole course offers a technical challenge with many trees to navigate. Adjacent to the site is The Burgess House, a historic building from 1823 that now serves as the headquarters for the Marstons Mills Village Association.
90 Main St, Bourne, MA 02532
Burgess Park, spanning 23 acres, is a community favorite. Named after John Burgess, who donated the land in 1972, it is best known for its disc golf course. This 18-hole course offers a technical challenge with many trees to navigate. Adjacent to the site is The Burgess House, a historic building from 1823 that now serves as the headquarters for the Marstons Mills Village Association.
518 Main St, West Yarmouth, MA 02673
Experience the thrill at Wicked Waves Waterpark, the state’s biggest aquatic wonder. Inside, it houses The Cape Cod Inflatable Park, a unique attraction offering immediate fun without the hassle of long lines in traditional amusement parks. Kids can jump, glide, and scale over 20 dynamic inflatable setups. It’s a place thoughtfully crafted for family fun, ensuring a safe and delightful environment for kids and grown-ups.
1225 Iyannough Rd Suite #4, Hyannis, MA
Admission: Day Pass: Under 48" or Non-Swimmer $51.50, Day Pass: 48" or Taller $61.50
The Cape Codder Water Park, part of the Cape Codder Resort & Spa, is a unique and thrilling destination. Covering 30,000 square feet, this indoor/outdoor water park features two high-speed “Stars and Stripes” slides, two additional slides winding through a pirate ship, a 300-foot river with waterfalls and rapids, and the “Pirate Bay” kiddie pool with water cannons and slides. Other attractions include a wave pool, water fountains, a 24-person whirlpool, saunas, and the Gazeebo Cafe.
810 Scenic Hwy, Bourne, MA 02532
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Admission: Free
Located near the midpoint of the Cape Cod Canal, Herring Run Recreation Area is a prime spot to watch river herring migrate. This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site features a fish ladder built to help herring swim upstream to spawn. Visit in the spring to witness this natural spectacle. The area also offers a family-friendly path and convenient access to the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway, a 7-mile paved trail perfect for biking, walking, and running along the Canal’s northern shore.
67 Grove St, Sandwich, MA 02563
Hours: Open daily, 10 AM-5 PM
Admission:
Adults $22,
Youth (3-17) $12,
Children 2 & Under Free
Heritage Museums & Gardens, the most extensive public garden in Southern New England, spans 100 acres along Shawme Pond. In spring, you’ll be captivated by Dexter Rhododendrons and flowering trees, while summer brings vibrant perennials, annuals, and over 800 colorful daylilies. The site also features an antique automobile collection, American folk art displays, and a hand-carved carousel, offering unique experiences for everyone.
520 Main St, Mashpee, MA 02649
Heritage Park on Cape Cod is a sprawling green oasis along the scenic Mashpee Pond. It features a large softball and recreation area, a basketball court, several baseball diamonds, and multi-purpose fields. Numerous trails are perfect for casual strolls and walks. The nearby Mashpee Dog Park adds to the fun, making the venue an excellent destination for everyone.
10 Lowell Ave, Cotuit, MA 02635
Nestled within a wooded area just a quarter mile from Cotuit Bay, Lowell Park is a beloved baseball venue and home to the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Fans can watch future Major League stars from the bleachers or bring their chairs and blankets to sit along the outfield. The site also offers excellent food options, including cheeseburgers, hotdogs, pizza, and more, ensuring a great game day experience.
Santuit-Newtown Rd, Barnstable, MA 02648
The Long Pond Conservation Area trail features 30 stops along a one-mile route through meadows and woodlands. It also includes community gardens for Barnstable residents and two observation points overlooking Long Pond. This kettlehole pond, formed by glaciers 10,000 years ago, has clear water supporting yellow perch, sunfish, and small-mouthed bass, perfect for anglers.
Cotuit Road to South Sandwich Road, Sandwich, MA
Ryder Conservation Area covers 243 acres and features frontage on Wakeby Lake, abandoned cranberry bogs, and wildlife management areas. Walking trails wind through ancient holly trees and groves of beech and pine. A public beach with lifeguards, a bathhouse, and sailing lessons is accessible from Memorial Day to mid-September with a town sticker or day pass. Other activities include fishing, hunting, boating, birding, biking, and cross-country skiing
480 Ocean St, Hyannis, MA 02601
Veterans Memorial Park is home to the John F. Kennedy Memorial, which overlooks Lewis Bay. This tribute includes a large stone wall with two bronze medallions, a reflecting pool, and a fountain, creating a serene atmosphere. The area is a favorite spot for beachgoers, offering swimming, a playground, and public grills for cookouts shaded by a pine grove. It’s also a great place to watch boats traveling in and out of Hyannis Harbor.
East Falmouth, MA 02536
Hours: Camping is available from late spring – early fall
Camping Rates:
MA residents $8/night,
Non-MA residents $20/night
Washburn Island is one of Cape Cod’s last large undeveloped coastal areas. It features a barrier beach, oak and pine forests, and coastal salt ponds. It is famous for day use and camping, offering nature trails for exploration and stunning natural beauty. Accessible only by water, visitors often arrive by private boat.
131 Waquoit Hwy, East Falmouth, MA 02536
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve features open waters, marshes, barrier beaches, dunes, forests, and grasslands. It is dedicated to resource protection, research, and education but also offers recreational activities. The Visitor Center, South Cape Beach State Park, and Washburn Island provide various programs and activities, such as swimming, fishing, hiking, boating, and birding.
Trails on Cape Cod, MA
60 Highfield Dr, Falmouth, MA 02541
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Formerly the Beebe family’s 19th-century summer estate, Beebe Woods was saved from development and gifted to Falmouth in 1972. This serene forest is perfect for hiking, dog walking, and family outings. The well-marked trails vary from easy to adventurous, with scattered Ice Age boulders known as glacial erratics. The “Punch Bowl,” a deep kettle pond, offers a refreshing dip on hot summer days.
Passes through Yarmouth, Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet
Hours: Dawn to dusk
The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a delightful way to explore the beauty of the peninsula. It offers a smooth, paved 25-mile route through six charming Cape Cod towns. It is perfect for walking, running, inline skating, and cycling. Bike rentals are available in specific communities, and free parking is available at multiple trailheads, including Stations Avenue in South Yarmouth and Route 134 in South Dennis.
Brown's Rd, Mashpee, MA 02649
Nestled in the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge, Childs River Conservation Area offers a beautiful hike through Cape Cod woodlands. Explore the abandoned cranberry bogs known as the ‘Garner Bogs’ along an old bog-access road. You can also discover freshwater marsh conditions in the old bog ditches, where cattails and cardinal flowers now thrive.
Cotuit Cove Rd, Cotuit, MA 02635
The 1.5 miles of walking trails meander through pine and oak forests, salt and freshwater marshes, shrub swamps, beaches, and estuarine flats. While a stroll takes less than an hour, taking your time allows you to soak in the area’s natural beauty. Visitors can park at the northern gate on Santuit Road and enjoy picnic tables in the white pine grove overlooking the cove.
345 Bone Hill Rd, Barnstable, MA 02637
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Admission:
Adults $5
Seniors (65+) $4
Children (2-12) $4
Explore 2.5 miles of gentle woodland and meadow trails at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable. Trails lead to stunning views of Barnstable Harbor, bordered by Sandy Neck Barrier Beach dunes. Along the way, you’ll find groves of tupelo, red maple, holly, and large oak trees, providing a serene and scenic walking experience.
S Sandwich Rd, Mashpee, MA 02649
Hours: Sunrise-Sunset
Admission: Free
Lowell Holly Reservation covers 135 acres and is named after its donor, Abbott Lawrence Lowell. It features around 250 native American holly trees and scenic carriage roads along Mashpee and Wakeby Ponds. The beech woodlands, shallow pond waters for cooling off, and two peninsular knolls with spectacular views make this a perfect spot for a peaceful walk or a refreshing swim at the beach.
161 Service Rd, East Sandwich, MA 02537
This conservation area covers 500 acres and showcases some of Cape Cod’s most varied landscapes, with trees such as oaks, pines, holly, hickory, and maples. Its elevation ranges from 40 to 250 feet above sea level and offers views of Provincetown across Cape Cod Bay to the north and Vineyard Sound to the south. Mountain bikers are invited to explore this beauty but must stick to the trails designated for mountain biking.
7 Quinaquisset Avenue, Mashpee, MA 02649
Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset
Admission: Free
Start from the Mashpee River Woodlands parking area on Quinaquisset Ave and follow the trail to the river, crossing the “Great Bridge” and exploring the old River Road down to Mashpee Woodlands West. To see restored pine barrens, hike the Cottontail Loop from the lot on Old Barnstable Road. For paddling enthusiasts, there’s a canoe/kayak takeout at the old Farley Camp. It also boasts excellent water quality, ideal for spotting rare sea-run brook trout.
Barnstable, MA 02630
Barnstable Great Marsh is part of the Sandy Neck salt marsh and barrier beach system. It offers 1.5 miles of trails where you can wander past serene ponds and shady oak woodlands. You may also spot wintering owls and summer-nesting turtles along the way. Don’t miss the coastal overlook for jaw-dropping views of Barnstable Harbor and Sandy Neck Barrier Beach to soak in Cape Cod’s natural beauty.
354 Old Jail Ln, Barnstable, MA
Spanning 1,800 acres, Old Jail Lane Conservation Area offers a rich pine, oak, and holly forest landscape. The network of trails, each ranging from 1 to 2 miles, includes some steep sections that will delight hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. This scenic area also welcomes leashed dogs, making it an excellent place for exploring nature with your furry friends.
Game Farm Driveway, East Sandwich, MA 02537
Hours: Dawn to dusk
East Sandwich Game Farm spans 133 acres and features diverse habitats, including salt marsh, freshwater ponds, and forests. The property has four trails ideal for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring wildlife. Scorton Creek, which borders the area, is perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, and fishing. For the best experience, visit during high tide when the marshes are filled with water, creating a stunning blue landscape.
Mashpee, MA 02649
Quashnet Woods State Reservation features a mix of upland forest and wetland along the Quashnet River, an essential coldwater stream. This area is home to naturally reproducing trout populations, and catch-and-release fishing is allowed using artificial lures from John’s Pond outlet to 0.1 miles below Route 28. The diverse river habitats also provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
103 Wood Ave, Sandwich, MA 02563
National Geographic once recognized the Sandwich Boardwalk as one of the top 10 boardwalks in the country. It stretches 1,350 feet over a marsh and leads to Boardwalk Beach. It’s an excellent spot for birdwatching and observing large tankers sailing towards the Cape Cod Canal’s entrance. After Hurricane Bob’s 1991 impact, this structure proudly displays planks inscribed with the names of donors who contributed to its restoration.
20 Scusset Beach Road, Sagamore, MA 02562
Admission: MA resident $14, Non-MA resident $40
Scusset Beach, located at the southwest corner of Cape Cod Bay, features 1.5 miles of beautiful beachfront. Visitors can stroll along the jetty to watch ships navigate through the Cape Cod Canal. The area offers camping facilities, making it a perfect spot for an overnight stay. Fishing and hiking are also popular activities. During the season, hunting is also permitted.
Path begins in North Falmouth, parking lot At 1 Depot Road, North Falmouth
Ends in woods hole at the steamship authority ticket office at 1 Cowdry Road, Woods Hole
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Admission: Free
The Shining Sea Bikeway is a 10.7-mile bike path that winds through North Falmouth, West Falmouth, Falmouth Village, and Woods Hole. As the only bikeway on Cape Cod running alongside the sea, it offers stunning views of salt marshes, barrier beaches, and open water. With nearly 25% of the path adjacent to conservation land, you can enjoy a variety of landscapes, including wooded uplands and cedar swamps. Wildlife like egrets, Red-tailed Hawks, and turtles can often be spotted along the route.
99 Talbots Point Rd, East Sandwich, MA 02537
Donated by Dr. Fritz Talbot in 1964, Talbot’s Point spans 112 acres of upland along the Scorton marsh system. The property offers trails through mature red pines and other notable trees like oaks, white pines, tupelos, beech trees, spruces, and some of the state’s oldest pitch pines. Visitors can enjoy scenic walks with marsh views and the tranquility of this beautifully preserved natural area.
Falmouth, MA 02543
Hours: 8 AM to sunset
Admission: Free
The Knob is a picturesque spot perfect for enjoying spectacular sunsets over Buzzards Bay. This narrow neck of rocky beaches and sandy pines is ideal for swimming, lounging, and exploring the shoreline. A sandy trail, about a quarter-mile long, leads to The Knob, making it an excellent place for a stroll to the water.
Prospect St, West Barnstable, MA 02668
The West Barnstable Conservation Area spans 1,114 acres, making it the largest conservation area in Barnstable. Over 20 miles of trails wind through pine-oak forests and patches of beech and American Holly trees. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, trail running, and cross-country skiing. Wildlife sightings are common, and hunting is allowed during the season.
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Anchored in Mashpee, where I live with my family, human and canine, my approach to real estate is informed by a passion for Cape Cod’s natural resources. Serving on Mashpee’s Conservation and Sewer Commissions, I bring unique perspective and resources to each transaction. Though born and raised in Pelham, New York, I draw on personal Cape experience and decades of family knowledge. My great grandparents first purchased on the Cape in the spring of 1926. Before becoming a Realtor® I worked for twenty-five years in the culinary industry, finishing my career as Executive Chef at a Boston law firm. With a proven record of client satisfaction, I can navigate complex matters with ease and equanimity. Approachable, funny, and warm, I facilitate my clients’ focus and help them find what matters most.