Massachusetts\u00a0has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them.
\nThese\u00a0links were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love to learn about more accessible natural areas from those of you\u00a0who have been there. \u00a0With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/a>
\nState<\/a>
\nLocal<\/a>
\nPrivate<\/a>
\nMiscellaneous<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/h2>\n

• Cape Cod National Seashore Park
  \n<\/strong>Cape Cod National Seashore Park consists of\u00a0\u00a0“Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses, cultural landscapes, and wild cranberry bogs offer a glimpse of Cape Cod’s past and continuing ways of life. Swimming beaches and walking and biking trails beckon today’s visitors.” The Park Website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>Accessibility<\/a>
  \n<\/a>\u00a0”\u00a0Park trails at Doane Rock in Eastham and the Marconi Station Site in Wellfleet have been surfaced to accommodate wheelchairs.” \u00a0The Park has\u00a0quite a few other adaptations, including beach wheelchairs.
  \n<\/a>The Salt Pond Visitor Center is near to the\u00a0\u00a01.5 mile Nauset Marsh Trail and the Buttonbush Trail, a .25 mile multi-sensory trail that featuring a guide rope and text panels printed in large lettering and Braille”. \u00a0Both trails are described as easy but with some log steps. \u00a0Call 508- 255 – 3421 for information.
  \nHere is “Everyone Outdoors”‘s article on\u00a0“Wheelchair Accessible Cape Cod”<\/a>.<\/p>\n

  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

• Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
  \n<\/strong>Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge comprises more than 3,800 acres, 85 percent of which is freshwater wetlands stretching along twelve miles of the Concord and Sudbury Rivers. “Minute Man National Historical Park and Thoreau\u2019s Walden Pond are located nearby.”\u00a0 \u00a0Phone\u00a0978-443-4661
  \nHere is the Refuge website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0General map.<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Brochure<\/a>.
  \n<\/a>There is a wheelchair accessible trail around the lake, according to this Yelp review.<\/a>
  \n<\/a>From\u00a0AllTrails<\/a>: “Concord Unit trail is a 2.7 mile loop trail located near Concord, Massachusetts that features a river and is good for all skill levels. \u00a0The trail …..\u00a0is accessible from March until November.”\u00a0 Trails described in the refuge brochure sound easy, but call first to be sure.<\/p>\n

  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

• Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
  \n<\/strong>Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is located along the northeast coast of Massachusetts. The Refuge provides feeding, resting, and nesting habitat for migratory birds. “Most commonly associated with Plum Island \u2013 a barrier beach island \u2013 the refuge is comprised of more than 4700 acres of diverse habitats including sandy beach and dune, cranberry bog, maritime forest and shrub land, and freshwater marsh. The most abundant habitat on the refuge is its 3,000+ acres of salt marsh…”.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 978-465-5753\u00a0\u00a0Here are Yelp Reviews<\/a>\u00a0and the Refuge Website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Refuge Brochure<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Map<\/a>
  \n<\/a>Pines Trail 0.3 miles.\u00a0 Call the refuge about a loaner beach wheelchair. \u00a0Accessible birding observation points<\/a> listed in a US Fish and Wildlife Service website : “Salt Pannes Wildlife Observation Area, the Bill Forward Bird Blind, the North Pool Overlook, … Pines Trail, and the observation platforms overlooking the beach and ocean at parking lots 1, 5 and 7.”<\/p>\n

  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

• Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge<\/strong>
  \n“This refuge is comprised of over 36,000 acres within parts of the four watershed states of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut….
  \nThe refuge includes\u00a0nine divisions and nine units<\/span><\/a> that represent a wide variety of unique habitats such as: northern forest valuable as nesting habitat for migrant thrushes, warblers and other birds; rivers and streams used by shad, salmon, herring and other migratory fishes; and an internationally significant complex of high-quality tidal fresh, brackish and salt marshes. Many opportunities exist for visitors to explore the diverse landscapes of the Connecticut River watershed.”
  \nBrochure<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 Here is the Refuge website.<\/a>\u00a0 Thank you to S. M. Burk for sending a correction for the link.<\/p>\n

  <\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0A one-mile long, universally accessible birding and natural trail is located at the Fort River division<\/a>.
  \nVermont
  \n<\/a> Mollie Beattie Bog boardwalk<\/a>. is a 200 foot self-guided interpretive trail.<\/p>\n

  New Hampshire
  \n<\/a>Mud Pond Trail 0.6 mile<\/a><\/p>\n

  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

  <\/a>State<\/h2>\n

  • Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation & Recreation<\/strong>
    \nThe Department of Conservation and Recreation<\/a> has a wonderful page with links to outdoor activities available to disabled people. \u00a0Here is their schedule of Activities<\/a> – mostly adaptive kayaking. \u00a0This is a good downloadable Brochure on Accessibility in the State Parks <\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 It lists accessible trails and other amenities and tells which state parks have them.\u00a0 There are many more than the few I have made posts on, so be sure to look up these other accessible Parks in Massachusetts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Accessible Trails in Massachusetts State Parks and Forests<\/a>\u00a0 This is a great website with short descriptions of the trails and links to the State Parks and Forests they are in.
    \nMassachusetts has “two categories of trails, Accessible and Assessed. \u00a0Accessible Trails are either paved or made from stonedust and are generally one-quarter to three-quarter miles in length. Assessed Trails are actual dirt hiking trails and offer a more rugged experience. Maps have been designed to provide information on grades, cross slopes, trail surfaces and obstacles. Assessed trails are one-half to 2 miles in length.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Belle Isle Marsh Reservation<\/strong>
    \n“Boston’s last remaining salt marsh offers unique views of plants and wildlife as you follow paths to the observation tower.”\u00a0 There are no restrooms.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Here is the Reservation website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone 617-727-5350\u00a0 Map<\/a>
    \n<\/a> 0.5 mile stonedust loop trail offers boardwalk access to the salt marsh, benches, dynamic birding and views of aircraft flying into Logan airport.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Breakheart Reservation
    \n<\/strong>Breakheart Reservation Saugus includes two lakes and a large forest
    \nHere is the Reservation website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone\u00a0 781-233-0834
    \n<\/a>Breakheart Reservation, Saugus \u2013 “1 mile paved forested roadway to Pearce Lake with moderate grades. “<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Castle Island\u00a0<\/strong>
    \nCastle Island is a peninsula in South Boston on the shore of Boston Harbor. In 1928, Castle Island was connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land and is thus no longer an island.\u00a0 It has been the site of a fortification since 1634,\u00a0^{<\/sup>and is currently a 22-acre recreation site and the location of Fort Independence. (From} Wikipedia<\/a> )\u00a0 \u00a0Phone: 617-727-5290. Here is their website.<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Trail Map<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0According to AllTrails<\/a> the trails are paved, about six feet wide in gentle terrain.
    \nThank you to Mark Dionne for bringing Castle Island to our attention.
    \n<\/a>Castle Island Loop 0.79 mile<\/p>\n

    <\/a>Pleasure Bay Loop 1.84 miles<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Charles River Reservation<\/strong>
    \n“The Upper Charles River Reservation extends from the Watertown Dam to Riverdale Park in West Roxbury, MA. Now that native plants have been restored to the riverbanks, birds and wildlife have returned. You can follow paths that wind along the Charles River, through the towns of Watertown, Waltham, Newton and Weston.”
    \nHere is their website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 617-727-1058
    \n<\/a>Moody St., to Prospect St., Waltham \u2013 0.5 mile riverside trail connecting Waltham Center with an accessible canoe launch<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest
    \n<\/strong>D.A.R. State Forest, Goshen “… offers dozens of campsites, forest trails, a lake to swim and fish in.”
    \nHere is the Forest website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 413-268-7098\u00a0 \u00a0 Trail Map<\/a>
    \n<\/a> 0.5 mile forested ADA stone dust trail along Highland Lake with benches and three accessible fishing piers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Dunn State Park<\/strong>
    \nDunn State Park, Gardner MA “Dunn State Park has a range of universally accessible activities, from fishing to hiking to swimming.”
    \nCall to reserve a beach wheelchair.
    \nHere is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 978-632-7897\u00a0 Brochure and Trail Map<\/a>
    \n<\/a>Woodland Trail about one mile trail looping through the forest.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation
    \n<\/strong>“The reservation is open year-round, but summer is the time to visit and escape the heat. Enjoy swimming in the ocean, launch your boat, or sunbathe on the beach.”\u00a0 There are two beach wheelchairs available, one for floating, one for sunbathing.
    \nHere is the Reservation website.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 781-485-2803 \u00a0 Trail Map<\/a>
    \n<\/a>Nahant Causeway, Lynn \u2013 wide, 3 mile paved ADA pedestrian recreation path with views of ocean bay and beach access.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Mt. Greylock State Reservation<\/strong>
    \n“At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. From its peak on a clear day, you can see as far as 90 miles away. No matter when you visit, there’s plenty to do and see.”
    \n<\/strong>Here is the Reservation website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 413-499-4262 \u00a0 Trail Map<\/a>
    \n<\/a>The 0.25 mile loop trail at summit has “spectacular views.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/a>Local<\/h2>\n

    • Massachusetts Audobon<\/strong><\/a> has an abundance of\u00a0wildlife sanctuaries\u00a0with nature trails. \u00a0Many of these are accessible and accommodate visual and auditory impairments as well as mobility. \u00a0The following are a small fraction of them. \u00a0Go to this link<\/a>\u00a0and click on the name of the sanctuary you are interested in to learn about their accessible amenities such as trails, visitor centers, tours, etc.
      \n<\/a>Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> has a\u00a01\/4 mile “All Persons Trail” – “self guided, fully accessible trail to offer a microcosm of the sanctuary’s habitats to accommodate everyone.”
      \n<\/a>Felix Neck<\/a> has a one mile “universally accessible nature trail”.<\/p>\n

      <\/a>Habitat Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary <\/a>has another “All Persons Trail”, this one\u00a0a half mile loop.
      \n<\/a>Attleboro Springs Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> has a half mile loop called the “Reflection Trail”.<\/p>\n

      Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> has an 850 foot accessible Sensory Trail.<\/p>\n

      <\/a>Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> has a 1,700 foot round trip All Persons Trail with guides available in print and in Braille as well as interpretive stations with auditory and braille information.
      \n<\/a>The Boston Nature Center & Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> has a one mile sensory trail.<\/p>\n

      <\/a>Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> has a wheelchair accessible self-guided rope and post nature trail for the visually impaired.
      \n<\/a>Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> has an 0.3 mile accessible trail that leads to a wildlife observation blind.
      \n<\/a>Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center & Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a>\u00a0has two accessible trails.<\/p>\n

      <\/a>Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> has a 1\/2 mile accessible sensory trail from the Nature Center to Goose Pond.
      \nNorth River Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> has a the 1\/2 mile Woodland Trail and Fern Path.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

    • South Hadley<\/strong>
      \nHere is a list with links<\/a> to the many conservation areas managed by South Hadley.\u00a0 Map<\/a>\u00a0 You might call them to learn about accessibility: 413-538-5030<\/p>\n

      <\/a>The Bachelor Brook\/Stony Brook Resource Area<\/a> conservation property is 285 acres and was purchased on 2005. This property is open to the public.\u00a0\u00a0The property has 3.0 miles of easy public trails including an ADA wheelchair accessible loop trail.\u00a0 Thanks to S M Burk for bringing it to my attention and providing the link.<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

      <\/a>Private<\/h2>\n

      • Arcadia Wildlife <\/strong>Sanctuary<\/strong>
        \nMassachusetts Audubon’s Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses 724 acres ad has 4 miles of trails, including the Braille-signed Sensory Trail.\u00a0 “Spanning Easthampton and Northampton, Arcadia\u2019s diverse terrain (forest, meadows, grasslands, marsh, and wetlands) attracts an extraordinary variety of wildlife. You will also find a thriving population of wildflowers…”\u00a0 Phones\u00a0413-584-3009,\u00a0800-710-4550.\u00a0 Here is their website.<\/a>
        \n<\/a><\/a>Sensory Trail\u00a0 850′ universally accessible with “…\u00a0interpretation available in\u00a0seasonal audio tours, large\u00a0print, Braille, and tactile\u00a0formats.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

      • Hancock Shaker Village<\/strong>
        \n“Hancock Shaker Village is a landmark destination of 750 acres, 20 historic Shaker buildings, and over 22,000 Shaker artifacts. On the National Historic Register, it is the most comprehensively interpreted Shaker site in the world, and the oldest working farm in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.”\u00a0 The address is 1843 West Housatonic St., Pittsfield MA.\u00a0 Their telephone is 413-443-0188.\u00a0 \u00a0Here is their website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 Walking tour\/guide map.<\/a>
        \n<\/a>“The Village\u2019s Farm and Forest Trail is a one-mile, universally-accessible loop trail that winds through pastureland and forests adjacent to the historic village. Along the trail, walkers will encounter illustrated interpretive panels that highlight the historical, environmental, social, cultural, and natural significance of this special area.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

      • Marjorie Turner Hollman<\/strong>
        \n<\/a>Ms. Hollman has written four very useful books to help you find places to walk in Massachusetts and Rhode Island:\u00a0 “Easy Walks in Massachusetts” 2nd Ed., “More Easy Walks in Massachusetts” 2nd Ed., and “Easy Walks and Paddles in the Ten Mile River Watershed”.\u00a0 Her latest is “Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are”.\u00a0 \u00a0Here are her facebook page<\/a> and her website<\/a>. Thank you for contacting me, Marjorie!<\/p>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

        <\/a>Miscellaneous<\/h2>\n

        • “Everyone Outdoors”<\/a> is a blog about “accessible adventures and adaptive recreation in Massachusetts State Parks and beyond”. \u00a0Lots of very helpful articles about equipment and other concerns as well as places to go.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • This is not a trail, but number of towns in Massachusetts provide seated sleds for for accessible ice skating<\/a>. \u00a0What fun!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • General Hiking Guides –
          \nHere are two guides to trails in\u00a0Rhode Island and adjacent states.Trails & Walks in Rhode Island<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Auntie Beak’s Place<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 They both have good descriptions and\u00a0lots of photographs, but are not designed for people with any kind of handicap. \u00a0If you want to know more about a specific\u00a0trail, you could research it on these websites.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • Hike New England<\/a><\/strong> \u00a0 This marvelous, searchable website lists hikes in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island\u00a0with information about\u00a0difficulty, length, elevation gain, and features. There are maps and photos for many of the hikes. \u00a0Using their Hike Finder, I did a search for Easy trails, 5 miles or less and came up with 51 trails! \u00a0 Be aware that Easy for them, might not be easy enough for you. \u00a0Once you come up with a page for a sanctuary, park, forest, whatever, it would be wise to call for trail conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • Nature For The Blind<\/a> has a directory of Braille trails for almost every state in the US and for many other countries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • The\u00a0Rails-to-Trails Conservancy<\/a>\u00a0lists wheelchair accessible trails in Massachusetts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Massachusetts\u00a0has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them. These\u00a0links were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love to learn about more accessible natural areas from those of you\u00a0who have been there. \u00a0With your help, we can share our knowledge … Continue reading Rails-to-Trails – Massachusetts<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-362","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=362"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/362\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5861,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/362\/revisions\/5861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}