DCR Trip Tip Self-Guided Family Adventures
Summer is a wonderful time to experience your state park system! DCR is offering a variety of family-friendly self -guided opportunities to help you make the most of your vacation and throughout the spring.
Adventure awaits! The DCR Trip-Tip provides families with information and fun ideas to explore the great outdoors at DCR Massachusetts State Parks and Watersheds. With a little preparation and a sense of adventure, people of all ages can safely enjoy our beautiful outdoor spaces.
Share you adventure!
Tweet, post, and tag photos on social media using @MassDCR and #DCRTripTip.
A few helpful reminders for your visit.
- Park in designated areas only, and if a parking lot is full come back another time.
- Dogs are to be on leash in state parks unless signage designates otherwise. Dogs are not permitted on DCR Water Supply Protection areas. To find a dog-friendly park, visit the DCR website.
StoryWalk® / Earth Day Everyday / Fun in Nature
StoryWalk® Adventures
DCR Parks open books for you to read. Enjoy a nature-themed picture book while you hike! Or Walk along the trail and read the story, step-by-step and page-by-page! StoryWalk® Survey
Earth Day Everyday
To support Earth Day 2021, we’ve compiled activities, resources and stories to help kids, families, and teachers learn about sustainability issues, climate science, and actions they can take this Earth Day 2021 and every day. Visit DCR Earth Day for more info.
Fun in Nature
Investigate! Fun in Nature downloadable activities to enhance your experience at any DCR park! Activities include seek and find scavenger hunts to awaken all of your senses, a conversation starter set to encourage talks along the trail and creating your own story cube to inspire story- telling!
Additional Resources
Suggested Hikes
Enjoy fresh air and exercise! Take an easy, moderate or challenging hike at over 70 locations statewide.
Self-guided Opportunities - Boston Area
Self-Guided Opportunities - Central MA
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park
- Towpath Walking Tour - A self-guided walk along the historic Blackstone Canal
- Blackstone Walking Tour - The crossroads of the Blackstone Valley
- Millville Walking Tour - Discover what makes history in Millville!
- Suggested Hikes & Walks
- Habitat Hike - Welcome to the Laurel Loop Trail! As you explore the trail, this guide invites you to take a closer look at habitats along the way.
- Suggested Hikes & Rides
J. Harry Rich
- Water Power Walk- A self-guided tour through the park
Mount Watatic State Reservation
- Quabbin Park Visitor Center Loop Trail Brochure
- Quabbin Park Middle Gate to Observation Tower Trail Brochure
- Suggested Hikes & Rides
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
- Wachusett Wildflowers Tour
- Wachusett’s Green Giants - Tree Identification Brochure
- Suggested Hikes & Rides
Self-Guided Opportunities - Northeast MA
- Ashland Reservoir Loop Trail - The trail makes a loop around the reservoir, crossing the dam on fairly flat wooded paths.
- Stories in Stone - There are five stops along this self-guided route. Each station has stone artifacts which correspond to an episode in the history of Breakheart Reservation. The map and written directions will help you find each location.
- Suggested Hikes & Rides
- Babson Farm Quarry Trail - Hike from the entrance to the self-guided Babson Farm Quarry loop trail.
- Halibut Point State Park Self-Guided Walking Tour
Middlesex Fells State Reservation
Salisbury Beach State Reservation
- Nature Trail Introductory Walk -Although less than a mile, the self-guided nature trail offers opportunities to explore the barrier beach and salt marsh environments. Trail extends from near the dump station and parallels “Z” St., ending near the boat ramp.
Self-Guided Opportunities - Southeast MA
Self-Guided Opportunities - Western MA
- Benedict Pond Loop Trail: a delightful discovery of life around the pond and surrounding woodland.
- Suggested Hikes & Rides
Chester-Blandford State Forest
Connecticut River Greenway State Park
Fountain Pond State Park
Greylock Glen
Mount Greylock State Reservation
Mount Holyoke Range State Park
Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation
Sandisfield State Fores (York Lake)
Accessible Trails
There are many different types of accessible trails in Massachusetts state parks. Any rail trail offers you a paved, level experience for access to natural areas and exercise. Several parks also offer accessibly-designed hiking trails in scenic, natural settings. These accessible trails are either paved or made from stone dust and are usually under a mile long.
Visit the DCR Universal Access Program Accessible Trails for more information