PARKS & TRAILS TO EXPLORE IN CAPE ANN
Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
Explore the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway! The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway lies entirely within the Essex National Heritage Area, a 750 sq. mi. region designated by the U.S. Congress as one of forty-nine heritage partnership parks of the National Park Service…Learn More
CENTENNIAL GROVE PARK
CENTENNIAL GROVE ROAD, ESSEX
website | google map
On Chebacco Lake in Essex.
CHOATE ISLAND
ESSEX, ONLY ACCESSIBLE BY WATER
website | google map
This mix of salt marsh and coastal islands is perfect for kayakers and other boaters, who can also follow trails that explore Choate Island and Long Island. read more
COGSWELL’S GRANT
60 SPRING STREET, ESSEX
website | google map
Cogswell’s Grant was the summer home of renowned collectors Bertram K. and Nina Fletcher Little. The Littles purchased this 165-acre property overlooking the Essex River in 1937 and read more
COX RESERVATION
82 EASTERN AVE, ESSEX
website | google map
The Cox Reservation consists of two parcels: a four-acre woodlot on nearby Lufkin Street and the 27 acres of upland, salt marsh, farmland with house and barn, and river frontage on Eastern Avenue.
STAVROS RESERVATION
ISLAND ROAD, ESSEX
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While most of this reservation protects more than 50 acres of salt marsh, its most popular feature is Whites Hill, a coastal drumlin that offers unobstructed views of Crane Beach, the Crane Wildlife Refuge, and Halibut Point.
WARREN-WELD WOODLAND
APPLE STREET, ESSEX
website | google map
This property is part of the larger Manchester-Essex Woods. The property protects the headwaters of the Essex River, which is a mere trickle at this location, and is part of a wildlife corridor that runs south from the salt marshes of Essex into the Manchester-Essex Woods.
CARTER RESERVATION
DENNISON STREET, GLOUCESTER
website | google map
The Carter Reservation is a great place to study glacial geology of New England. As part of the terminal moraine that comprises all of Cape Ann, this land is among the final resting places for rocky debris left behind by melting glaciers over 10,000 years ago.
DOGTOWN
CHERRY STREET, GLOUCESTER & SUMMIT AVE., ROCKPORT
website | google map
Dogtown is a collection of abandoned trails and roads located in the center of the peninsula that makes up Gloucester and Rockport. It is accessible through many areas in both towns and is a great place to learn through exploration.
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EASTERN POINT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
135 EASTERN POINT BOULEVARD, GLOUCESTER
website | google map
Located on a peninsula near the historic Eastern Point Lighthouse, the small sanctuary is a hot spot for butterflies and seabirds at particular times of the year.
GOOSE COVE RESERVATION
WASHINGTON STREET, GLOUCESTER
website | google map
Enjoy hiking, birding, nature study, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, canoeing, and exploring on varying terrain including wooded upland, rocky shoreline, and tidal mudflats.
MOUNT ANN PARK GLOUCESTER
Mount Ann Park features thick, hilly woods of white pine, oak, maple, beech, birch, and hemlock. The woods lead to a huge, smooth-topped granite outcrop summit.
The brothers of naturalist Henry David Minot—who wrote The Land Birds and Game Birds of New England in 1876, at age 17—gave the land to establish a park in his memory.
When Rt. 128 was constructed in the 1950s, access to Mount Ann Park from the north was cut off. The other sides of the reservation are either part of the City of Gloucester watershed or private land, neither of which can be accessed by the public. Therefore, there is no regular access to Mount Ann Park reservation at present. The Trustees hopes to find a way to provide public access again.
RAVENSWOOD PARK
481 WESTERN AVE., GLOUCESTER
website | google map
Ravenswood Park offers 600 acres for solitude and quiet contemplation of nature. Whether you prefer to surround yourself with snow-covered hemlocks, experience spring emerging in a burst of color and aroma, or escape the summer’s heat – you’ll find a refuge here.
SEINE FIELD
FARRINGTON AVE., GLOUCESTER
website | google map
The ecosystem of Seine Field is a habitat type known as an “Open Heath” or “Relic Sandplain Grassland”. This is a great place to run, explore and hike while observing nature.
ST. PETER’S SQUARE PARK
CORNER OF WASHINGTON & ROGERS STREETS, GLOUCESTER
website | google map
Downtown Gloucester, location of the annual St. Peter’s Fiesta celebration.
STAGE FORT PARK
24 HOUGH AVE., GLOUCESTER
website | google map
Parking, Snacks, Visitor Center, Playground, Beach, Gazebo, Ballfield, Concerts on weekends all summer long.
STONEY COVE & PRESSON RESERVATION
ROUTE 128, JUST PAST CONCORD STREET EXIT, GLOUCESTER
website | google map
Mixed terrain of marshland and rocky woodland offer great opportunities for hiking, birding & nature study, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing & canoeing.
TOMSON STREET RESERVATION
ESSEX AVE., GLOUCESTER
The Tompson Street Reservation features exposed bedrock, vernal pools, woodland and swamp. There are traces of many trails that used to be wagon paths for early settlers to access their woodlots, but have since been overgrown with scrub growth due to numerous fires.
COOLIDGE RESERVATION
15 COOLIDGE POINT ROAD MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, MA 01944
website | google map
Hike past a scenic pond and through a small forest of pine and oak to reach a spectacular seaside lawn offering memorable views of Massachusetts Bay and the North Shore.
MASCONOMO PARK
60 BEACH STREET, MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA
website | google map
Masconomo Park features a community bandstand where the annual summer concert series is held; a little league baseball field, a children’s playground and a bandstand.
TUCK’S POINT PARK & BEACH
17 TUCK’S POINT ROAD, MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA
website | google map
A beautiful location for a wedding, picnic, family gathering, or just a day at the park and beach! Located in Manchester, Massachusetts, Tuck’s Point has a beach, swings, picnic area, Chowder House, and comfort station with male and female accessible bathrooms.
HALIBUT POINT STATE PARK
4 GOTT AVE., ROCKPORT
website | google map
Halibut Point is a uniquely beautiful coastal seascape. Looking seaward on a clear day, the view stretches from Crane Beach in Ipswich to Mount Agamenticus in Maine and the Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire.
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MILLBROOK MEADOW & MILL POND
BEACH STREET, ROCKPORT
website | google map
A lovely small park with playground equipment, grassy areas great for playing frisbie, and benches. A peaceful spot to take a break.