Doggie Road Trips in New England

Winnekenni Castle: Haverhill, MA

2011-07-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

Directions: Click here for Google map

I grew up near Haverhill, MA and have many childhood memories of this wonderful park with an enchanting castle on the grounds (what little girl wouldn't love that?). I love to revisit Winnekenni Castle as an adult and it's an especially great place to bring my dog! With over 200 acres of conservation land and 9 miles of foot-trails (which loop around a beautiful lake), your dog is sure to enjoy it, too!

"Winnekenni" is Algonquian language for "Very Beautiful". The castle was built in 1875 by a local physician using 35,000 cubic feet of glacial boulders found on the property. The summer home covers 3,500 square feet, rising 250 feet above lake level. The castle was sold to the city of Haverhill in 1895 and it became Haverhill's first public park. The grounds are now open to the public and the castle is often used for cultural and educational events. Allowable activities in the park include: hiking, X-C skiing, snow-shoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, picnicking, tennis, fishing, sledding, and skating. This info comes from a pamphlet I picked up at the park. You can also find great info (including a trail map) on their website: Winnekenni.com

Please note that dogs must be leashed on the grounds.

Here are the positive features:

Beautiful, well maintained trails offer many options for short or long walks
There are many opportunities for your dog to jump in the lake, cool off, and get a drink
Abundant free parking is available
The park offers tennis courts and a great playground
Lots of nice green grass make for great picnic areas
We didn't have one mosquito or tick bite us on a humid day in July. Maybe that was a fluke, but maybe they spray for them (not sure).
It's close to I-495, but still peaceful and quiet in the park
You and your dog can walk right up to the beautiful castle
The walking trails are easy, well shaded and cool

Negative features:

Dogs must be leashed, so if you're looking for an off-leash park, this isn't it

Lime Quarry Reservation: Chelmsford, MA

2011-06-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

Directions: Click here for Google map

The Bruce and Torry Gullion Lime Quarry Reservation is located on Rt. 110 in Chelmsford, MA. Cooper and I discovered it because it's right down the street from his vet. Acquired in 1967, this 64-acre parcel of land is the former location of lime quarries and kilns dating back to 1736! The quarries operated until 1830 and were a major source of lime for plaster for homes in Chelmsford and Lowell.

There are several loops of relatively short trails (about a mile or so) running through the quarry, which feature the old quarries and kilns as a central focus. The trails are all very well maintained and marked, making for an easy and fun afternoon stroll! Due to its unique geology, the wooded area supports a number of locally uncommon plants, which are only found in areas of high PH (as exist in limestone). All of this great info comes from the Chelmsford Conservation Commission and a map of the property may be found on their website.

Here are the positive features:

Great for a short stroll through the woods that will make your dog very happy
There are many brooks babbling through the property for your furry friend to splash around in
Abundant free parking is available at the start of the trail
The lime quarries and unique plant life are so interesting
The trails are very well marked, so even people like me (who are frighteningly adept at getting lost) will find their way easily
There's hardly ever anyone else there

Negative features:

During late spring and summer, you'll probably need bug spray for mosquitoes
It's close enough to I-495 that you can usually hear some traffic

Skinner State Park: Hadley, MA

2010-05-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

Directions: Click here for Google map

J.A. Skinner State Park is more than 400 acres of forest on Mount Holyoke, at the western end of the Holyoke Range. It offers breathtaking views of the Connecticut River Valley. The summit is accessible by road from April through November, and by hiking trails year-round. The Summit House was a popular mountaintop hotel in the 1800s. The park is named after Joseph Allen Skinner, a wealthy businessman who donated the hotel and land to the state in 1940.

Before driving to the summit, we stopped at Barstow's Dairy Store and Bakery just down the street to pick up our lunch. This little cafe is awesome! It is part of Barstow's Longview Farm, a local family farm. They sell a variety of farm fresh delights, make great sandwiches, offer mouthwatering desserts, and serve homemade ice cream! It's fun to sit at one of their picnic tables, watch the cows (who are quite friendly, I've learned) and breathe in the fresh air. After visiting Barstow's, we drove to the summit and walked along the "green" trail to one of the overlooks that I photographed above. It is a short, easy trail and a great place to picnic. We saw several hawks and a bald eagle!

Here are the positive features:

Barstow's Dairy Store and Bakery!
Lots of hiking trails to choose from - even a 5 minute walk will bring you to breathtaking views
You can drive to the summit on a paved road or park half-way up and walk the rest
Parking at the top is just $2 and it's free to park half-way up
We didn't see one tick the whole day (maybe that was just luck)
Amherst is close by - a college town with lots of restaurants, stores, etc.

Negative features:

The summit house (and restrooms) are in disrepair and are closed indefinitely

Mt. Equinox: Bennington County, VT

2009-10-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

Directions: Click here for Google map

Mt. Equinox is the highest peak in the Taconic Mountain Range. This mountain range is part of the Appalachian Mountain system and includes mountains from Vermont, New York and Massachusetts. At an elevation of 3,848 feet, Mt. Equinox is sure to please with amazing views from many overlooks!

The Mount Equinox Skyline Drive is the longest privately owned paved toll road in the USA (5.2 miles). It's a beautiful drive to the top with many places to turn off and picnic. A variety of hiking trails are available, ranging from an easy .02 miles to a very challenging 4 miles. The mountain includes a gift shop and restroom at the base and an inn with public restrooms at the summit (built in 1949). I'm not sure whether the inn allows dogs, as we didn't stay overnight.

Mt. Equinox features some very interesting history. For example, over 100 years ago it was quite popular for people to hike to the summit (since that was the only way of reaching the top). Along the way, many hikers carved their names and the date of their hike into the soft rock ledges that existed. While the inn was being built, these old ledges were accidentally discovered and many carvings were preserved inside the inn. They include P.B. Wilcox (1843), E.B. Warren (1851), and L. Brown (1815) whose descendants still live in the valley today.

There also happens to be a monastery within viewing distance of Mt. Equinox (if you're going up the mountain, it will be on your left about halfway up).

Here are the positive features:

There are many hiking trails, some starting at the bottom and some just around the top
You can easily drive to the summit on a nicely paved road
Clean restrooms are available at the bottom and top
There's a great farm store & ice cream shop down the street (turn left when exiting Mt. Equinox)
There are 360 degree breathtaking views
Plenty of parking at the summit

Negative features:

It costs $12 per car & driver, plus $2 for each passenger, to take the toll road to the top (kids are free)
There didn't seem to be any restaurants close by, but Manchester is not too far away

Visitor's Center Park: Claremont, NH

2009-09-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

Directions: Click here for Google map

When I was a high school student in NH, I remember hearing that Claremont was facing a plethora of financial difficulties and, let's just say, was not the prettiest town in the state for visitors. However, in recent years, this rural community has made quite a comeback! I'm not sure how it all happened, but it appears that Federal grants have contributed to widespread restoration. Hooray!

The Claremont Visitor's Center is one of the improvement projects recently completed in the town and it features a quite beautiful park on the Sugar River (complete with a lovely pedestrian bridge over the river). The nearby Historic District Mills make a great backdrop. Dogs are welcome and it's a great place to take a short stroll, have a picnic or read a book! We happened to be there at sunset, which was very pretty. Afterwards, I had dinner on an outdoor patio (just inches from the rushing river) at the Common Man restaurant. The river even flows through the inside of the restaurant, which is really neat.

Here are the positive features:

It's a great place to stop and stretch your legs (if you happen to be in the area)
Claremont has two good restaurants just around the corner from the park: (The Common Man and Ramunto's).
The park is new and very pretty
There's a bin full of plastic bags to clean up after your pup, which is convenient
The park is reasonably close to other attractions, such as Mt. Ascutney
There is a big parking lot at the Visitor's Center

Negative features:

You can't take your dog directly to the river - it's sort of blocked off
The park is relatively small
I don't think the Common Man allows dogs on their outdoor patio, BUT I didn't ask either

Loon Mountain: Lincoln, NH

2009-08-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

Directions to Loon: Click here for Google map

Loon Mountain is a real adventure for the whole family, including your 4-legged child! When you think of Loon, you may immediately picture a wonderful ski mountain, but it's also a fantastic place to visit in the summer! We just spent a week there and had a great time.

My favorite parts of visiting Loon with Cooper were the Pemigewasset River (aka, the "Pemi"), which runs straight through the middle of the resort, and our hiking trip at Sabbaday Falls. The weather and the view at Loon were so beautiful and peaceful that we just wanted to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible (which was as easy as stepping outside our rented condo). But just down the street, you can also enjoy a variety of great restaurants and lots of shopping! Does it get any better than that?

Here are the positive features:

Tons of hiking trails off the main road (Kancamagus Hwy, or the "Kanc"), which often have pretty rivers & waterfalls (we hiked here: Sabbaday Falls)
Lots of very helpful info from the resort's staff
Beautiful and relatively cheap condo rentals
Incredible attractions and views just outside your door
Many family-friendly activities (gondola, horseback riding, mountain bike rentals, etc.)
Great restaurants & shopping just down the street
Not overcrowded at all in the summer
Tick-free! I'm sure they exist, but I didn't find one tick on Cooper so they clearly aren't as bad as they are in Massachusetts.

Negative features:

The nicest resort lodging is not pet-friendly (see below for lodging options)
You can't really do all the resort's activities with your dog (i.e., horseback riding & mountain biking), but walking/hiking is amazing and free!

Lodging options:

We stayed at a rented condo within The Village of Loon: www.villageofloon.com
There are also dog-friendly options that you can find using these websites:
www.loonres.com
www.cyberrentals.com

Dining options:

The Common Man: Casual, delicious home cooking
Gypsy Cafe: Excellent food from around the world (we liked the mediterranean dishes)
King's Corner Cafe: Awesome (and cheap) breakfast!
Flapjacks: Also a good breakfast (but we liked King's Corner better)
Kimberlee's Deli: A fantastic lunch spot with fresh deli sandwiches and salads
There are lots more places that we didn't try, but I wouldn't recommend Gordi's Fish & Steakhouse. The food was bland and the service was sloooooow (and there were only 3 parties in the whole place).

For more info on Loon Mountain, visit their website! Have fun!

Ascutney State Park: Windsor, VT

2009-08-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

Directions to Mt. Ascutney: Click here for Google map

Mount Ascutney is a doggie heaven! It is a people heaven, too, (if you're the outdoorsy type) offering many different hiking trails (beginner to advanced), very friendly staff, restroom facilities, camp sites, an observation tower, a hang gliding launch, picnic areas, and a paved road to the summit. The 2,000 acre park was developed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and stands at an elevation of 3,144 feet above sea level.

We hiked the Weathersfield Trail, which was 2.9 miles to the summit. The intermediate trail offered plenty of shade and plenty of water for Cooper (thanks to many beautiful waterfalls!). In fact, this trail winds through several waterfalls, including Crystal Cascade Falls - an 84 foot high waterfall! With all the rushing water, we hardly noticed any bugs and benefited from cool breezes on a hot August day.

Here are the positive features:

Hiking trails range from short & easy to very challenging
The staff at the park are very friendly and helpful
A paved road will lead you to the summit where there are lots of easy trails
The amenities (bathrooms, campsites, etc.) are great for a state park
Hardly any bugs while we were there and I didn't find any ticks
Day use fees are low (free for young kids, $3 for adults)
Mt. Ascutney is a dormant volcano, which is really neat
Two great restaurants are nearby: The Common Man and Ramunto's

Negative features:

Apparently, porcupines abound - even during the day (although we didn't see any)
During hot summer months, the waterfalls tend to get smaller (and the small ones sometimes dry up completely).

For more info on Ascutney, visit their website!

Mt. Greylock & Mohawk Trail: Berkshires, MA

2009-07-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

Directions to Mt. Greylock: Click here for Google map
Directions to Mohawk Trail State Forest: Click here for Google map

Mount Greylock is a state reservation featuring the highest peak in Massachusetts, at 3,491 feet. Overlooking the beautiful Berkshire landscape, the Mt. Greylock reservation offers 12,500 acres of mountain, forests, valleys, and streams for you and your dog to explore and enjoy!

Mt. Greylock is loaded with exciting history and features many historic icons, including the Veterans War Memorial Tower (which you can climb to the top), an old ski lodge (back when people would actually hike the mountain in order to ski down), and evidence of many historic visitors such as Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau! An abundance of information about Mt. Greylock can be found by clicking here.

Located "across the street" (generally speaking) is the Mohawk Trail State Forest. A short hike brings you to the shoulder of Hawk Mountain (1,880 feet), offering beautiful views of the Deerfield River Valley. More information about the Mohawk Trail can be found by clicking here.

Mt. Greylock and the Mohawk Trail are both popular hang gliding and para gliding sites, so if the weather is right, you just might see a bunch of gliders up in the sky!

Here are the positive features:

A brand new paved road will lead you to the summit of Mt. Greylock
There are lots of hiking trails from easy to challenging (including the Appalachian Trail!)
You can camp out overnight at both locations
Trails are available year round (you can x-country ski or snow shoe in winter)
Mt. Greylock has restrooms, a lodge, small restaurant and backpack shelters available
The surrounding area features lots of shopping, dining and lodging in the beautiful Berkshires
Parking is only $2 at the peak of Mt. Greylock
There are quotes carved into rocks along the summit trails, which make for a fun little treasure hunt

Negative features:

Hunting is permitted in season, so either don't hike during those times or wear bright orange (on you and your dog). However, no hunting is allowed within .75 miles of the summit of Mt. Greylock.
The auto road to the summit of Mt. Greylock is only open from late-May to November 1st.
The lodge & restaurant are only open in-season (summer), but there are always bathrooms available (port-a-potties)
My GPS got confused at Mt. Greylock and directed me down the back of the mountain when I left, so be careful which turns you take when you are leaving!

Overall, I would highly recommend this doggie road trip! Plus, you can find lots more places to explore in the beautiful Berkshires.

Gloucester & Rockport, MA

2009-05-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

Directions to Stage Fort Park in Gloucester: Click here for Google map
Directions to Downtown Rockport: Click here for Google map

Historic Gloucester and Rockport are seacoast fishing villages on Cape Ann. Although there are lots of things to see and explore, we particularly enjoy Stage Fort Park in Gloucester and Downtown Rockport (Bearskin Neck).

Stage Fort Park is the historic site of Gloucester's first settlers in 1623. The park offers both a rocky shoreline and a sandy beach, along with many acres of fun and frolic for you and your dog. Take in the beautiful ocean views, but don't miss the huge boulders and stone steps that you can climb! There are hardly ever many people there either. After exploring the Gloucester park's adventures, I highly recommend that you go to downtown Rockport (Bearskin Neck), which is just a few minutes away. You'll love the shops, restaurants, and doggie store!

Here are the positive features:

It's the perfect day trip - a huge park and exciting downtown all in one place
The park is adventurous, with many neat things to explore
The park features a sand volleyball court, a new playground, a basketball court, tennis courts, and plenty of picnic tables (bring your own grill), a visitors' center, public restrooms and a restaurant
There are also many secluded places to sit and relax in the park
Bearskin Neck has a bustling downtown that is open year round
There is some fantastic dining in downtown Rockport (see below)

Negative features:

During the summer, parking costs $10 at the park
During the summer, dogs are not allowed on the beach (but they are still allowed in the rest of the park)
Bearskin Neck can get pretty crowded in the summer (for good reason)

Great Places to Eat:

The Fish Shack (the freshest seafood)
Helmut Strudel (if you don't eat several of their strudels, you're crazy!)
The Lobster Pool (it's not downtown, but they have outdoor seating on the ocean that is pet friendly)

Wellfleet Launchpad: Cape Cod Seashore

2009-05-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

Directions: Click here for Google map

The Wellfleet Launchpad is a beautiful section of open, sandy beach on Cape Cod that also happens to be a launching point for hang gliders. It is located in an area called Cahoon Hollow in Wellfleet. At first, it doesn't look like much, but it turned out to be a fantastic place to bring your dog and become a beach bum for a day!

The parking lot is located at the top of a dune, overlooking the magnificent open sea of Cape Cod. Some people just pull into the parking lot for a few minutes to take in the fantastic view! There is beautiful sand and open sea for miles. But the real fun comes when you get out of your car with a picnic lunch in one hand and your dog's leash in the other. Hike down the dune to the beach and spend a few hours breathing in the fresh, salty air. Maybe you'll even see a hang glider take off and fly overhead!

When we went in April there was no one on the beach, even though it was a gorgeous day. I highly recommend visiting Cape Cod in the off-season, because you can often find these amazing natural wonders and have them all to yourself! Plus, there are some doggie restrictions that kick in during the summer months (see below for details).

Here are the positive features:

Miles and miles of flat, gorgeous, clean beach to walk and play
It's often secluded, so you can have a private picnic and nap
You can surfcast for striped bass and bluefish right from the shore
The unique Cape Cod dunes are unlike any other beach in the country
Large restrooms are conveniently located in the parking lot (but closed in winter)
A great place for seashell hunting (we found lots of neat ones)
Off the beaten path, but shops & restaurants are a short drive
No ticks! In fact, we didn't see one bug the whole day.
You might get to watch a hang glider pilot launch and fly!
A gorgeous place to watch the sun rise (if you're a morning person)
Unlike the "bay side" of Cape Cod, Cahoon Hollow offers that satisfying rough surf sound of crashing waves

Negative features:

During the summer, 9am-5pm, no dogs are allowed on the beach (for all Wellfleet restrictions, click here)
You must bring all food and fresh water in with you (check out Box Lunch in Wellfleet for your picnic)

I highly recommend that you take a drive along the magnificent Cape Cod seashore someday and check out this great spot!

Prouty Woods Community Forest: Littleton, MA

2009-04-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

Directions to Entrance #1 (Two Brother's Trail): Click here for Google map
Directions to Entrance #2 (Main Entrance): Click here for Google map

Prouty Woods is a beautiful piece of property that includes over 107 acres of open fields and easy hiking trails, a protected forest of the New England Forestry Foundation. The area is named after Don and Roger Prouty, who made it possible.

Two Brother's Trail is a lovely walking path that leads to Prouty Woods. Upon entry, you will immediately feel soothed by the nearby babbling brook and horse stable. The trail will quickly lead you to two huge fields - great for some doggie exercise! Walk a bit further and you will see markings for the "Loop" trail, an easy hiking trail that leads to beautiful Long Lake and then back around to the fields again. The total distance of this Loop walk is approximately 2 miles, and there are several other trails in the area as well. Parking is available at the church across the street.

You can also enter Prouty Woods by parking at the end of Wilderness Road (there is a marked lot available). Walk down the main path and you will be immediately immersed in the forest! You can turn down the trails and explore the forest (the 'downhill' trail will lead you to the lake), or you can continue walking straight for about 15 minutes up a gradual hill. This walk will take you to a lovely summit, where you will get the best views of the area. There are also picnic tables and an education center there. This is a fantastic spot to watch the sun set (but get back down the path quickly before it gets too dark!).

Here are the positive features:

Lots of open space for your dog to run and play
Clearly marked hiking trails that are short and easy
Access to beautiful Long Lake for your dog to drink or swim
Close to downtown Littleton and I-495
Very shady trails, to escape the summer sun
Great for all seasons, from winter snow shoeing to summer hiking
Very peaceful with pretty views of the Monadnock Mountains and Mount Wachusett
Free parking

Negative features:

Some parts of the trails can be muddy (especially in spring)
The large open fields at Two Brother's Trail get overgrown in the summer, but they are flat and open during other seasons
Ticks abound, especially in spring & fall, so plan on checking yourself and your dog for them
Bring your bug spray in the summer!
There are no facilities (restrooms, water, etc.) so plan ahead if you want to hike around for a while

Acadia National Park, ME

2009-03-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Directions: Click here for Google map (to a B&B in Prospect Harbor)

The rugged coast of Maine is a spectacular sight, especially if you travel north to Acadia National Park. This area, with its thousands of wild acres, will beckon you (and Fido) to experience one adventure after another!

You can enjoy Acadia in two ways: city style and/or country style. City style would include visiting Bar Harbor, which offers a bustling (but quaint) downtown with lots of shops, restaurants, and a park right on the ocean. Country style includes a limitless supply of secluded bed & breakfasts, hiking, picnicking, sightseeing, and of course relaxing near the ocean.

We've stayed in three B&Bs in Acadia and visited several restaurants, shops, and natural wonders which I've listed below. We enjoyed each place (or I wouldn't post them here). There are so many more things to see, you can easily create your own adventure!

Here are the positive features:

Over 47,000 acres of mountains, ocean shoreline, woodlands, and lakes to enjoy
Hiking/walking trails and great picnic spots seem to be everywhere
There are 17 mountains in the area for you to climb
With so much space, it's easy to find privacy and seclusion even in the summer!
Dog friendly lodging abounds (search Google or see below for where we stayed)
Incredible sightseeing in your car with lots of opportunities to pull over and explore
Go from peaceful seclusion to bustling downtown areas
Fantastic restaurants in random places (see below for the places we visited)
It's easy to get take-out and have a picnic with your dog
Lots of info is available to help you plan your trip (click here)

Negative features:

Acadia is so big, it can take a long time to drive from one destination to another
There is some serious wildlife in the forest, so you need to be careful and aware when hiking with your dog
Some hiking trails feature terrain that may be too rough for your dog, so plan ahead
Swimming beaches are off-limits to dogs in the summer

Where we stayed:

Three Pines Bed & Breakfast (very secluded): www.threepinesbandb.com
Ocean Meadows Inn (private beach & nature trails): www.oceaninn.com
Bluff House Inn (lots of private property & a nature trail that goes to the ocean): www.bluffinn.com

Where we ate:

Bunker's Wharf (our favorite fine dining): www.bunkerswharfrestaurant.com
The Crocker House (great fine dining and they have an inn): www.crockerhouse.com
Cleonice Mediterranean Bistro (excellent casual fine dining): www.cleonice.com
Quarterdeck (waterfront dining & great for take-out): www.quarterdeckbarharbor.com
Cafe Milagro (great little coffee shop): www.milagrocoffee.com
J.M. Gerrish Provisions (coffee, breakfast, lunch, ice cream): www.jmgerrish.com

Where we shopped:

Sherman's Bookstore (lots of books & gifts): www.shermans.com
Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium (yum): www.benandbills.com
Walkin' the Dog (a store your dog can shop in, too!): www.walkinthedogbarharbor.com
Gull Rock Pottery (beautiful stoneware): www.gullrockpottery.com
Winter Harbor 5&10 (t-shirts, gifts, stuff): www.winterharbor5and10.com

Natural wonders that we visited:

Schoodic Peninsula: www.acadia.ws/schoodic.htm
Somes Sound: www.acadiamagic.com/SomesSound1.html
Roque Bluffs: www.state.me.us/cgi-bin/doc/parks/find_one_name.pl?park_id=23
Cadillac Mountain: www.acadiamagic.com/CadillacMountain.html
We hope to go back and see lots more!

The above listings are such a drop in the bucket when you consider the many hundreds (perhaps thousands) of places to stay, eat, shop, and visit. Acadia is a magical place for people and puppies!

Old Orchard Beach, ME

2009-03-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

Directions: Click here for Google map

If you like taking long walks on the beach with your dog, but without the crowds, then Old Orchard Beach in the off season is a great place to visit.

We recently spent a weekend at Old Orchard Beach and enjoyed the warmth of early spring while the area was still very quiet.

The sandy beach is approximately 7 miles long, dog friendly in the off season, and we found a dog-friendly ocean front motel. Cooper was very happy to have his very own "people-sized" bed in our room!

Here are the positive features:

Beautiful beach for miles of walking/running with your furry friend
Dog friendly lodging abounds (search Google or see below for where we stayed)
Lodging was inexpensive
No crowds while we were there in March
Some shops & restaurants are open year-round (see below for the places we visited)
A fun spontaneous get-away: we reserved our hotel room just hours before we checked in

Negative features:

Dog friendly lodging is not very high class - but it's better than nothing!
There are no private areas for your dog to go potty, so bring a few bags to pick it up
During the day in peak season, dogs are not allowed on the beach

Where we stayed, ate, and shopped:

Sandpiper Beachfront Motel, right on the ocean: www.sandpiperbeachfrontmotel.com
Board Silly, a fun game store for adults & kids: www.boardsillyonline.com
Michele's Garden Cafe, serving a good breakfast: click here for more info
Run of the Mill Public House and Brewery, serving great dinners: click here for more info

All in all, we had a great time at Old Orchard Beach in March. The blanket of stars in the evening, beautiful ocean sunrise in the morning, and mild weather during the day were perfect - and we had it mostly to ourselves!

Forge Pond: Westford, MA

2009-03-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Directions: Click here for Google map

Forge Pond was the first exciting place I took Cooper because it was located right behind the house we were living in at the time. It is a small local park that I believe is underutilized because people simply don't know that it exists unless they live nearby.

During the fall, winter and spring, we were almost always the only people/dogs there. It gets a little busier on nice summer days though (especially weekends).

Here are the positive features:

Free, paved parking
Large fresh water pond with small sandy beach
Short trails in the woods (great for potty breaks)
Swing set and slide for the kids
Picnic tables
Fishing allowed (appropriate permits required)
Canoes/kayaks allowed
Often empty in off-season, during weekdays, or in the evening
Pretty New England views
Breakfast place, pizza place & convenience store only 1/4 mile away

Negative features:

I think it may be limited to Westford residents only in the summer
In the summer, dogs are not allowed on the sandy beach (but you can walk around in the woods nearby and dogs are allowed on the beach in the early morning/evening)
The park is somewhat small (1-2 acres)
They don't usually plow the road in the winter
There are a lot of snowmobiles on the pond in the winter

We now live about 5 miles away from Forge Pond, so we don't go there every day like we used to. But once in a while, we'll drive over there and Cooper gets SOOO excited about it! So apparently dogs really like Forge Pond. :-)