Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary: Beautiful Views of Buzzards Bay
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Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is a 600+ acre refuge located in Southeast Massachusetts, in the town of Westport. There are 7 miles of trails available for exploring and photographing the beautiful forests, ponds, and marshes found within the sanctuary. Additionally, there is over a mile of rocky coastline to walk along. The pond is habitat to several rare birds, including piping plovers and terns.
Mike and I took a quick drive over from Fall River one day. It was a relatively warm day for February, so we figured we would get out of the house and explore a bit. We were exploring a lot of local preserves and hiking areas in the spring, summer, and fall months and then we started to get into holiday activities. We wanted to get back to nature a bit now that the holidays were long over. We were basically the only ones around and it was a quiet overcast day, so the perfect opportunity to get back to nature.
The Beach Loop trail provides the best views of Allens Pond and Buzzards Bay. Native plants along the course include: beach plum, red cedar, and shadbush. In the marsh, you can lookout for all sorts of birds including: shorebirds, herons, and saltmarsh sparrows. The path is peaceful, scenic, and absolutely breathtaking. It’s only a mile long, although there are 9 miles available if you choose to go further.
We kept it simple today as we usually go all out and we were seeking a little break. Our walk along the beach was relaxing, even though it was foggy and cold. I imagine the early summer months would be an ideal time to visit.
Although the trails are open year-round, I recommend visiting during the warmer months. Our February visit, even on a warmer day, was still damp, cold, and foggy. On the bright side, the vibe was peaceful with no crowds whatsoever. Part of the second trail we attempted to complete was closed due to the mud, so we unfortunately had to turn around. Also, because of the fog, we couldn’t capture any decent photos of Buzzards Bay. I would like to visit again this spring and complete all 3 trails.
A visit to Allens Pond is a great alternative to the super crowded Horseneck Beach, also located in Westport. At this serene wildlife sanctuary, you are surrounded by natural beauty minus all the noisy crowds.
Parking for the Beach Loop Trail is located at 1280 Horseneck Rd in Westport. Free parking.
