The Ultimate Massachusetts Nature Lovers Road Trip Leads To Pristine Beaches, A Waterfall, And More
By Melissa Mahoney|Published March 17, 2022
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Who is ready to take a road trip? If you consider yourself the outdoorsy type and love all things nature, we urge you to take our ultimate nature lovers road trip in Massachusetts. Starting in western Mass., you’ll encounter Chesterfield Gorge before heading off to a waterfall, a mountain, a state park, and more.
Follow along by using our interactive map as your guide, and feel free to add any stops you may want to make along the way!
Chesterfield Gorge is a natural wonder that was carved out by glacial meltwater ages ago. With impressive rock walls that measure approximately 30 feet, there are plenty of trails to explore the area and overlooks where you can get a bird's eye view of the gorge. Read our previous coverage to learn more.
Found within Lawrence Brook, Doane's Falls is made of a series of five waterfalls that plunge from beneath a stunning stone bridge into a lake below. Read our previous coverage to learn about a hike to Doane's Falls.
While Mount Wachusett is the place to go skiing in Massachusetts, it's also a wonderful place to visit any time of year. When there is no snow on the ground, this mountain offers numerous hiking trails. Hike to the summit for spectacular panoramic views. Visit the Mount Wachusett website for more information.
The 1,400-acre Wells State Park is home to 12 miles of trails, woodlands, cliffs, wetlands, and Walker Pond. Enjoy a variety of recreation including hiking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and more. Visit the Wells State Park web page for more information.
If you're someone who enjoys geology, a trip to Purgatory Chasm is a must! This unique park features numerous rock formations to explore within a beautiful setting. Visit the Purgatory Chasm web page for more information.
Walden Pond was made famous by Henry David Thoreau who featured it in one of his most famous essays. Visit the site where the famed author's house once stood and take a loop trail around the pond. Both scenic and historic, Walden Pond is a natural wonder everyone should visit at least once. Read our previous coverage to learn more.
7. Halibut Point State Park, Rockport
Halibut Point State Park, Gott Ave, Rockport, MA 01966, USA
Located along the coast in Rockport, Halibut Point State Park is home to rocky ledges, tidepools that are teeming with sea life, forests, an old quarry, and hiking trails. And the views are nothing short of spectacular! Read our previous coverage to learn about an easy hike at Halibut Point State Park.
If you enjoy beachcombing, the pristine Wingaersheek Beach is the place for you! Here you will find a variety of seashells as well as beach glass and sand dollars. The scenery here is also quite breathtaking. Read our previous coverage to learn more.
Will you head out on this nature lovers road trip in Massachusetts? What are your favorite parks, beaches, mountains, and waterfalls around the state? Tell us in the comments!
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