The 10 Best State Parks in Massachusetts!

State parks are made for adventures in nature. Whether hiking, fishing, swimming, boating or simply enjoying a picnic in the fresh air, they are excellent spots for family time. The following Massachusetts state parks offer all these opportunities—and a few surprises, too. Check one or more out as you make your summer and fall plans.

Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton, MA

Rent a kayak or canoe at Hopkinton State Park and enjoying fishing on Hopkinton Reservoir, which is amply stocked with fish. Bring a picnic and spend the day in the great outdoors. Swim, hike, play games and more. Grills are available, as are bathhouses.

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Wells State Park, Sturbridge, MA

Camping, hiking, fishing and boating make Wells State Park an excellent spot for enjoying the great outdoors. A hike up Carpenter Rocks affords a pristine view of the entire park. Out of state guests who visit nearby Sturbridge Village often camp here in the summer, so check for reservation availability before heading here.

Ellisville Harbor State Park, Plymouth, MA

Ellisville Harbor State Park is an excellent place to wade in the surf, scour the beach for driftwood, hike, fish and picnic. Harbor seals are typically visible from the shoreline.

Borderland State Park, North Easton, MA

An historic mansion is situated at Borderland State Park. It is open for tour during regular park hours. Also on site is a pond for fishing and canoeing or kayaking. There are trails for hiking, biking or horseback riding. A picnic area and grills are available, too.

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Nickerson State Park, Brewster, MA

Enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking and more at Nickerson State Park. Reserve a camping spot and take in all that Cape Cod offers. Showers and rest rooms are available and day visits are permitted. There’s also a playground for the kids.

Natural Bridge State Park, North Adams, MA

Natural Bridge State Park is home to one of the surprises mentioned above. The only natural white marble arch in the entire United States is located here. Made of bedrock marble that’s approximately 550 million years old, the bridge was carved by melting glacial waters. The bridge spans Hudson Brook, and flows into a 60-foot gorge. An abandoned marble quarry may be toured at the park, too.

Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle, MA

An active dairy farm sits in the middle of Great Brook Farm State Park, and tours are available on weekend days. The park also features 20 miles of hiking trails with evidence of settlers from past generations all along the way. Seventeenth-century cellar holes may be viewed—and hopefully avoided. There’s a boat ramp leading to a pond for boating and fishing.

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Webb Memorial State Park, Weymouth, MA

For a beautiful view of the Boston skyline, visit Webb Memorial State Park. Situated on a peninsula that extends into Hingham Bay, the park offers fishing, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. There’s a picnic areas, so pack a lunch and spend the day. On site rest rooms are available, too.

Robinson State Park, Feeding Hills, MA

Swim in the Westfield River or cast your line and do some fishing. Float in your kayak or canoe. Robinson State Park offers these opportunities and more. Hike or ride your mountain bike along 40 miles of trails. Grills, a picnic area and rest rooms are available, too.

Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA

At Halibut Point State Park, visitors are treated to a view of Maine’s Mount Agamenticus on a clear day from the 60-foot observation tower. New Hampshire’s Isles of Shoals are often visible, too. Trails, tidal pools and rocky ledges provide a variety of activities as well as an up close and personal view of the history of granite in nearby Cape Ann.

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162 West Union Street, Ashland, MA
Ashland State Park has 470 acres including the 157 acre Ashland Reservoir. The park is operated seasonally and provides opportunities for swimming,... Read More
164 Cedar St, Hopkinton, MA
Hopkinton State Park is located in the towns of Hopkinton and Ashland and includes the picturesque Hopkinton Reservoir. The park offers a variety o... Read More
Rte. 135, Hopkinton, MA
This park consists almost entirely of water: the 592 acre Whitehall Reservoir was once used as a source of drinking water. The area offers boating,... Read More
Millwood St, Framingham, MA
Callahan State Park is a 820-acre day use area located in Northwest Framingham. Callahan has seven miles of marked trails and is used for activitie... Read More
205 Westboro Rd, Upton, MA
This 2660 acre forest offers visitors a natural diversity of flora and fauna accented with historically significant contributions of the Civilian C... Read More
43 Commonwealth Rd, Natick, MA
Cochituate State Park is a popular regional day use park featuring water based recreational opportunities including boating, swimming, windsurfing,... Read More
70 West River Road, Uxbridge, MA
107 Wallum Lake Road, Douglas, MA
The Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) runs approximately 22 miles from the Franklin State Forest on the east, to the Douglas State Fores... Read More
287 Oak Street, Uxbridge, MA
The Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park recalls the role of canals in transporting raw materials and manufactured goods between emerging... Read More
108 North Street, Norfolk, MA
Offering 140 acres in the town of Norfolk, the reservation was once home to a commercial sawmill operation. A large, open field welcomes visitors a... Read More
Hartford Street, Medfield, MA
We think it's the rich history of Rocky Woods' 491 acres, laced by footpaths and former logging roads that meander through woods and wetlands and t... Read More
198 Purgatory Rd, Sutton, MA
A unique natural landmark, Purgatory Chasm runs for a quarter of a mile between granite walls rising as high as 70 feet. Popular with picnickers an... Read More
250 North Great Road, Lincoln, MA
Minute Man National Historical Park is located 22 miles outside of Boston within the towns of Lexington, Lincoln and Concord, Massachusetts. The pa... Read More
10 North Lake Avenue, Worcester, MA
Quinsigamond State Park consists of two sites located on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester: Regatta Point and Lake Park. The 25 acre Regatta Point are... Read More
915 Walden Street, Concord, MA
Henry David Thoreau lived at Walden Pond from July 1845 to September 1847. His experience at Walden provided the material for the book Walden, whic... Read More
96 Forest Grove Road, Waltham, MA
The Upper Charles River Reservation extends from the Watertown dam to Riverdale Park in West Roxbury. Throughout the reservation, continuous public... Read More
45 Mill St, Foxboro, MA
Covering 1,027 acres in Foxboro and Wrentham, F. Gilbert Hills State Forest is a passive use pine and oak forest.  There are approximately 23 ... Read More
Boylston St, Clinton, MA
The 4,135-acre reservoir was built between 1897-1908 by damming the South Branch of the Nashua river. Water was sent via an aqueduct to the Weston ... Read More
Elliot St, Needham, MA
Open dawn to dusk. Hemlock Gorge in Needham, Newton and Wellesley is a small 23-acre wild area along the banks of the Charles River. The park is do... Read More
384 Common St., Dedham, MA
Called “ye wilderness” on old Dedham maps, Wilson Mountain Reservation is 207 acres of wild and varied terrain. The property was purcha... Read More
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