Harold Parker
State Forest |
Park Headquarters
(main office):
305 Middleton Road
N. Andover Ma. 01845
Lorraine Park (campground):
133 Jenkins Road Andover Ma. 01810
Mailing address:
1951 Turnpike Road
N. Andover Ma. 01845
1951 Turnpike Road
N. Andover, MA 01845
Phone Numbers:
Main office 978-686-3391
Camping info (early May- mid October) please call 978 475-7972
Berry Pond is Unstaffed for the 2010 season
Harold Parker State Forest, which lies in Andover,
North Andover, North Reading and Middleton, comprises just over
3,000 acres of Central Hardwood-Hemlock-White Pine type of forest.
The forest is twenty miles north of Boston and within one hour's
drive of three million people. Recreational opportunities include
hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding,
camping and picnicking. The forest has over 35 miles of logging
roads and trails
and offers quiet seclusion to off-road hikers and bikers. Non-motorized
boating is allowed on any of the 11 ponds. No horse, boat or bike
rentals are available at the facility.
Lorraine Park Campground, located about 2 miles
from the Headquarters on Jenkins Rd., contains 89 sizeable campsites that are spread out sufficiently to provide a real "forest" camping
experience. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a grill,
and although no electric or water hookups are available, the bathrooms
do have hot water showers. Camping is offered late May to early September;
office hours are from 9am-9pm.
Campground Map
View on screen | Download printable version (pdf)
Events
The Annual Fishing Festival is held in September. A
Nature Center is located just inside the campground on Jenkins Road,
and is open from May to September.
Trail Map
History
The forest consists of rolling hills, low lying swampy areas, rock
outcrops and several ponds. The landform was created by glacial
movement, and evidence of glaciers exists today in the form of glacial
erratics. The area was inhabited by Pentacook Indians until it was
settled by English farmers around 1650. By the mid-nineteenth century
agriculture was abandoned, and a new forest grew up. The sites of
an 18th century sawmill and homesteads can be found. Tradition has
it that many of the homes surrounding the forest were used as Underground
Railroad hideouts in the 1850s. Secret doors and chambers can still
be seen in local homes. Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe
and William Lloyd Garrison were frequent visitors to families in
the area.
Things to know before you go…
• Campground Office Hours: 9am–9pm
• Campground Office Phone: 978 475-7972
• Camping Season: late May through early September
Directions
Harold Parker State Forest is located in Northeastern Massachusetts
Headquarters:
FROM BOSTON:
Take 93 North to exit 41, follow 125 north (toward Andover), for about 4 miles to the State Police Barracks (on right). Turn right on Harold Parker Rd to Jenkins Rd. Turn left on Jenkins Rd, right onto Salem Rd, Headquarters is Approx 1-1 ½ miles on the left.
FROM LAWRENCE:
From 495 take exit 42, travel east on Rt. 114 for 6 miles. Take a right at brown Harold Parker State Forest sign, follow to the end of rd then take a left to the headquarters.
FROM SALEM, PEABODY & DANVERS:
Travel west on Rt. 114. Take a left at brown Harold Parker State Forest sign, follow to the end of rd then take a left to the headquarters.
Campground:
FROM BOSTON:
Take 93 North to exit 41, follow 125 north (toward Andover), for about 4 miles to the State Police Barracks (on right). Turn right on Harold Parker Rd. At the end of Harold Parker Rd take a right, onto Jenkins Rd. The Campground is approx ½ mile on the right.
FROM LAWRENCE:
From 495 take exit 42, travel east on Rt. 114. Bear Right onto Rt. 125 South. Take a left at the State Police Barracks onto Harold Parker Road. Follow to the end. Take a right onto Jenkins Road. The campground is approximately ½ mile on the right.
FROM SALEM, PEABODY & DANVERS:
Follow Rt. 114 west. Take a left at brown Harold Parker State Forest sign, follow to the end of road. Take a right, travel approx ¾ mile and take a left at the stop sign onto Jenkins Rd. The campground is one mile down on the right.
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