Myles Standish State Forest – Hiking in Southeast Massachusetts

Myles Standish State Forest is a large & beautiful state forest located in Southeastern Massachusetts, about 45 minutes south of Boston, in the towns of Plymouth and Carver. There are plenty of recreational opportunities available year-round such as hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing. There are over 13 miles of beautiful hiking trails available.

Since moving to Bristol County, this park has become my favorite for hiking, half marathon training, and biking. I have put in many miles training for both 5k and half marathon courses. The beautiful scenery really motivates me, and more often than not, I am running myself. I placed pretty well in my races since moving here, so I guess the beautiful wilderness setting here has done my body good.

I like hiking here for the beautiful views, well marked trails, and the peaceful escape from the city.  I also like that it is only about a 15 minute drive from the Plymouth waterfront – home to Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower replica, and plenty of waterfront restaurants and shops. We actually found out about this park via my sister who has lived in the area for years.

It really is a hidden gem that most tourist do not know about despite its’ close proximity to so many great historical attractions. If you are a hiker visiting Plymouth, I really recommend coming out here for the day. You can really disconnect for a bit in the natural setting.

East Head Reservoir Trail

My favorite hike here is relatively easy and short path known as the East Head Reservoir trail. This hike comes in at just under 3 miles round-trip so a great choice for casual walkers, families, and joggers. Personally, it is one of my favorite running trails being that it is the perfect distance for 5k training, plus there are enough hills to make it fun and challenging.

The East Reservoir trail is one of the best trails for new visitors. The roundtrip distance is just 3 miles with small hills, so perfect for getting in a great workout that is not too tiresome. This trail is mostly flat with a few little hills to keep it challenging. The views are peaceful and tranquil during every season.

Most of the time, it’s rare to see many hikers on the trail. Fortunately, this state park is used more by locals than tourists. If you need a relaxing break from the tourist congestion, do plan for a quiet nature walk here. On an interesting site note, the reservoir water is not used for drinking, but rather to harvest the cranberry bogs in the fall.

I love the gorgeous pines here. I could get lost in them all day. The park is home to several types of pine including Pitch Pine, Eastern White Pine, and Red Pine. Many of the red pines began dying out and the park has restored much of it. On an interesting side note, pitch pine/scrub oak forests are becoming more rare in recent years due to fire suppression.

There are numerous ponds to break up the pine scenery every now and then. The spring and summer months are the best time to take in the water scenery as greenery surrounds in every direction.

Overall, I highly recommend any nature lovers, hikers, and mountain bikers to check out this fabulous state park. I have lived all over the country and it is still one of my favorite places. I love the serenity of the forest, the way the park changes throughout the seasons, and the variety of options for both relaxed and adventurous recreation.

I would definitely add this hidden gem on your “parks to visit” list. Since moving here, I have found out that Massachusetts is filled with hidden gems that barely get any press coverage – this amazing park being just one of many gorgeous destinations.

Location

• 194 Cranberry Rd. Carver, MA
• There is no admission fee and no parking fee.
• Hiking map