20 Incredible Natural Wonders In Massachusetts That Defy Explanation
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
The Bay State really has it all. Aside from charming small towns and big cities, there are beaches, bays, and the ocean, mountains and waterfalls, lakes and rivers, and so much more. Discover the natural side of the state and explore some of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in Massachusetts.
Best Gorges & Canyons In Massachusetts
Looking for some gorge-ous must-see nature in Massachusetts? With jaw-dropping beauty that evokes a sense of wonder, a visit to the state’s gorges and canyons is a must.
1. Purgatory Chasm
Purgatory Chasm, Sutton, MA 01590, USA
With its huge boulders and a canyon, Purgatory Chasm is so much fun to explore! I remember coming here as a child and having a blast exploring the chasm.
2. Chesterfield Gorge
Chesterfield Gorge Reservation, West Chesterfield, MA 01084, USA
Originally Carved out by glacial melt water, it continues to be shaped by the East Branch of the Westfield River, a National Wild and Scenic River, Chesterfield Gorge is a unique natural wonder in Massachusetts. With its rock walls towering over 30 feet, it's quite an impressive sight!
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3. Hemlock Gorge
Hemlock Gorge, Newton, MA 02464, USA
Found within the 23-acre Hemlock Gorge Reservation, Hemlock Gorge is small but scenic. The Charles River runs through it and you can get some of the best views from Echo Bridge, a historic bridge that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Best Caves In Massachusetts
While the beaches and mountains seem to get all the glory in the Bay State, there are so many other nature places in Massachusetts to explore. Did you know that there are several caves you can visit? It’s true! Check out some of the most impressive caves in Massachusetts:
4. Sunderland Caves
Sunderland Caves, Sunderland, MA 01375, USA
Located within Mount Toby State Forest, the Sunderland Caves can be found along a section of the Robert Frost Trail. Keep your eyes peeled for signs to the caves, otherwise, you can get lost. You can also download the AllTrails+ to guide you along. When you arrive at the caves, the entrance is narrow, so keep that in mind if you intend on going any further. Also, make sure you have a light source like a flashlight or a headlamp with you.
5. Dungeon Rock Cave
Lynn Woods Reservation, 106 Pennybrook Rd, Lynn, MA 01905, USA
Located at The Lynn Woods Reservation near Boston, Dungeon Rock Cave is a fascinating wonder to explore. Take a hike to Dungeon Rock where you'll find a door to a cave. Back in the 1600s, the original cave was supposedly where a pirate hid his treasure. The cave then collapsed and buried both the pirate and his loot. In the mid-1800s, a man seeking the pirate treasure he heard about, dug out a new cave at Dungeon Rock along with a tunnel. There is a steel door covering the entrance of the cave but you can visit and explore the cave between May 1 and Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
Best Waterfalls In Massachusetts
You may be surprised to learn that Massachusetts is home to dozens upon dozens of waterfalls. Some are quite impressive but all are beautiful. Here are some of the best waterfalls in Massachusetts:
6. Beaver Brook Falls
Beaver Brook Reservation, 66 Mill St, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
One of the best nature spots in Massachusetts is Beaver Brook Reservation. Not only are there multiple ways to enjoy the great outdoors from hiking and biking to fishing and playing sports but the scenery is outstanding as well. And you simply cannot come here and not see Beaver Brook Falls. In fact, it's just a short walk from the parking lot where you can either view it from a platform above or enjoy it from below.
7. Doane's Falls
Tully Lake, Massachusetts, USA
Take a short hike and you'll be treated to views of a series of stunning cascades known as Doane's Falls. This picturesque waterfall is found at the point where Lawrence Brook meets Tully Lake. Above the falls is a man-made structure -- a mill built in the early 19th century by a man named Amos Doane. While it may be tempting, swimming at these falls is prohibited and you must stick to the trails due to the area's sensitive ecosystem.
8. Bear's Den Falls
Bear's Den, 18 Neilson Rd, New Salem, MA 01355, USA
Bear's Den Falls is found along the Middle Branch of the Swift River. Just take a short hike through the woods and you'll find it at the bottom of a gorge. Make sure you wear proper shoes as you hike around the waterfall -- it can get quite slippery on the rocks.
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9. Bash Bish Falls
Bash Bish Falls, Mt Washington, MA 01258, USA
With an 80-foot cascade, Bash Bish Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state and located along the Massachusetts-New York state line at Bash Bish Falls State Park. You can see why it's also the most popular one to visit. While tempting, however, swimming at this waterfall is prohibited. After your visit to the cascade, check out nearby Taconic State Park in New York.
10. Campbell Falls
Campbell Falls, New Marlborough, MA 01259, USA
Located by the Massachusetts-Connecticut state line, Campbell Falls can be accessed via a trail at Campbell Falls State Park in Connecticut. The trail will eventually lead over the border to the cascade in Massachusetts. Campbell Falls is absolutely lovely as it plunges 50 feet into a gorge and eventually a pool below.
Best Overlooks & Scenic Vistas In Massachusetts
If you’re someone who loves panoramic views of the landscape, there are many incredible overlooks throughout the state. Get a bird’s eye view of the state’s landscapes and seascapes from these vistas:
11. Mount Sugarloaf Overlook
300 Sugarloaf St, South Deerfield, MA 01373, USA
Want to go someplace where you can see miles in every direction? Well, there's no better place than the Mount Sugarloaf Overlook. Between mid-May and mid-October, you can take a road to the summit where you can take in views of the surrounding Connecticut River Valley, a natural wonder in and of itself.
12. Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook
Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook, 31 Aquinnah Cir, Aquinnah, MA 02535, USA
Martha's Vineyard's multi-colored cliffs are one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in Massachusetts. While they are a must-see, the views from the top of the cliffs are just as extraordinary as the cliffs themselves. With sweeping views of the Atlantic, this spot definitely has that "wow" factor.
13. Mount Greylock
Mount Greylock, Adams, MA 01220, USA
Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center, 30 Rockwell Rd, Lanesborough, MA 01237, USA
To get to Mount Greylock, you can park at the visitor center and hike up the mountain or take the road to the summit. However, the summit road is seasonal and closes for winter, so keep that in mind. One of the best parts about the summit of Mount Greylock is the view. In fact, you can see five states -- Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Connecticut -- from the top!
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Best Rock Formations In Massachusetts
Rock formations can be quite fascinating. They’re like works of art left behind by Mother Nature over the course of thousands and even millions of years. Among the best rock formations in Massachusetts are the following:
14. The Monoliths
The Monoliths, 398 Southern Ave #334, Essex, MA 01929, USA
One of the most extraordinary hikes you can take to see rock formations in Massachusetts is at The Monoliths. Each trail at this preserve is under a mile making it a great place to take kids who will love seeing the variety of boulders formed thousands of years ago by glaciers.
15. Rock House Reservation
Rock House Reservation, 535 MA-9, West Brookfield, MA 01585, USA
Rock House Reservation is home to a rock shelter that was used by Native Americans during the winter months and you can explore this geological and historical wonder today. In addition to the rock shelter, there are many other unique rock formations throughout the reservation, making it a great place to explore.
16. Glacial Potholes
Shelburne Falls Potholes, J726+W7, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370, USA
There's no place in Massachusetts quite like Shelburne Falls. Known best for its Bridge of Flowers, it's also home to a geological natural wonder. The glacial potholes are right in town and look quite otherworldly. In all, there are over 50 of these glacial potholes of varying sizes.
Unique Natural Wonders In Massachusetts
We are not done discussing the best nature spots in Massachusetts. Some are so unique that they stand out all on their own. Check out the following unique natural wonders in the Bay State:
17. Boston Public Garden & Boston Common
Boston Common, 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111, USA
Public Garden, Boston, MA 02116, USA
There are so many incredible places to visit in Boston but when visiting the city for the first time, I urge you to head straight to the Boston Public Garden and the adjacent Boston Common. These parks are oases within an urban environment and allow visitors to experience nature in the heart of the city.
18. Walden Pond
Walden Pond, Concord, MA 01742, USA
Walden Pond was made famous by Henry David Thoreau in his book Walden. Whether you love nature or literature (or both), a visit to Walden Pond is a must. A loop trail will take you all around the pond where you'll encounter a replica of the cabin Thoreau once lived in.
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19. Cape Cod National Seashore
Cape Cod National Seashore, Chatham, MA 02650, USA
Between the towns of Chatham and Provincetown, you'll find the 44,000-acre Cape Cod National Seashore. I've been lucky enough to explore much of this national park my whole life and yet, I'm still discovering parts of it I'd never been to before. For must-see nature in Massachusetts, a visit to the National Seashore is a must. Whether you hit one of the beaches, discover a salt marsh, swim in a freshwater pond, go on a hike, discover a historic structure, go bird watching, take a bike ride along one of the bike paths, and so much more, this is a paradise for nature lovers.
20. Boston Harbor Islands
Harbor Islands- Long Island, Boston, MA, USA
Both a national park and a state park, the Boston Harbor Islands provides another great escape from the city. You can either take a ferry or your own boat to get to the islands that are rich in flora, fauna, and, in some cases, history. Camping is available on several of the islands as well if you really want to make it a getaway.
Which of these incredible natural wonders in Massachusetts have you visited? Ready to explore them all? In the comments, let us know your favorite natural attractions in Massachusetts.
Let’s explore the state on one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Massachusetts! Check out the must-have hiking accessories before you hit the trails.
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