Marshfield

Blueberry Island

Blueberry Island is a 4-acre patch of upland ringed by 12 acres of marsh, sitting right out in the North River in Marshfield, and it is one of those spots you can only reach by water. It is a popular stop for picnicking, and camping is allowed with a permit from the Marshfield Conservation Office, making it a favorite overnight destination for paddlers exploring the river. Couch Beach is a quick paddle downstream if you want to stretch your legs further, while the much smaller Little Blueberry Island sits just upstream. Take care with the current here, which can be strong and unpredictable.

Carolina Hill Reservation

Carolina Hill Reservation is Marshfield's largest conservation property at 775 acres, known to some locals as "The High T's." A network of well-established, if unmarked, trails climbs the summit and slopes of the hill, and a section of the Bridle Path runs along its edge, connecting it into the town's wider trail network.

Coast Guard Hill

Formerly a Coast Guard communications center, Coast Guard Hill in Marshfield is now home to the Marshfield Recreation Department. The 40-acre property has a popular sledding hill, walking trails, volleyball, basketball and horseshoe courts, a playground, a picnic area, and a small community garden, with views of Humarock and the South River from the top of the hill. The site has an interesting history: in 1943 the Coast Guard set up a weather and shipping communications center here, housed inside a stately 1901 home built by Dr. Harold Hunt. The federal government ceded the property to Marshfield in 1999, and a granite memorial now recognizes those who served there.

Cornhill Woodland

Cornhill Woodlands is a 123 acre preserve located in Marshfield along Union Street. The parcel features a trail system that weaves through the forest and ultimately to a flat marsh area. The nest of trails lead visitors through a deep, mature forest crisscrossed by historic stone walls. One of our particular favorites was coming across an old stone well in the middle of the forest. The trail network is accessible via a few access points but the best is on Union Street. As noted on the Marshfield trail maps, the paths are not very wide and as a result they can be a bit overgrown during high-growth periods. The trails also cross through some significant wetland areas but thanks to raised boardwalks visitors can still enjoy themselves and keep their feet dry. A few notes: the trail entrances are not very well marked but you'll appreciate the hard work to find it! parking lot is probably suitable for about 4 cars. additional parking is available on the street at the Corn Hill Lane entrances best time to visit might be the winter! due to the narrow trail width, you'll best avoid ticks with a visit in the winter. Suggested visit: Park at Union Street entrance. Take the trail towards the river and follow the sign for the "swamp trail". Be sure to go all the way towards the marsh for the best view. The entire loop is just under 2 miles.

Couch Beach

This was actually my second visit to Couch - but the first was a failure. I couldn't find the entrance. That might sound crazy but it was the truth. You have to notice that there is a parking lot concealed by a half broken fence. While there are several potential trail entrance points, the fence is the best for families due to parking. The majority of the trail is fairly wide since the site also doubles as a camping location. If you get access to camp here, the town lets you drive all the way down to the beach/river. The trail is not perfectly smooth but very doable for families and strollers - but not wheelchairs. You need a bit of clearance to get over some of the ruts in the road. Once you get to the river, you come to a beautiful clearing. The trees are crazy tall with essentially clean ground underneath (e.g. no bushes). So, you come to this clearing with majestic tall trees and through them you can see just endless marsh and water. I can imagine this being a perfect place for a picnic on a hot summer day. Spacious enough that many families can be around without it feeling crowded. Bonus? There is even a swing!

Damon’s Point

Damon's Point offers a genuinely spectacular view of the North River estuary from a small town pier. The pier itself sits on the remains of an old railroad trestle, part of a bridge that carried the Duxbury and Cohasset Railroad (and later the Old Colony Railroad) across the water from 1871 to 1940 -- look across the river and you can still trace the route the trains once ran through the marsh toward the old Marshfield Hills station. Wooden benches make it an easy, low-effort spot to sit and take in the scenery.

Damon’s Point

Damon's Point offers a genuinely spectacular view of the North River estuary from a small town pier. The pier itself sits on the remains of an old railroad trestle, part of a bridge that carried the Duxbury and Cohasset Railroad (and later the Old Colony Railroad) across the water from 1871 to 1940 -- look across the river and you can still trace the route the trains once ran through the marsh toward the old Marshfield Hills station. Wooden benches make it an easy, low-effort spot to sit and take in the scenery.

Daniel Webster Estate

The Daniel Webster Estate was the country home of statesman Daniel Webster from 1832 until his death in 1852, and today the 14-acre grounds are open to the public with short trails connecting to Webster's Wilderness next door. There is a real sense of history here, from the Queen Anne mansion (rebuilt after an 1878 fire) to Webster's original law office, relocated back onto the property in 2015. The trails themselves are modest, winding around Winslow Pond and Cherry Hill Pond, but they make for a peaceful stroll, and guided tours of the historic buildings are offered monthly.

Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary

When I pulled into the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary parking lot, I was one of two cars and knew that I pretty much had the place to myself. The sanctuary is a big piece of land that feels a lifetime away from the rest of the world. I can't wait to see how it looks in all four seasons... and in between. The paths are big and wide. There are views of marsh and rivers. But I was most captivated by the boardwalks and the trees. I mean, super breathtaking. Two real killer moments? There was this particular point where you cross the river on a bridge. The water was so smooth and flat - and the lighting was just so perfect - that it was honestly hard to see what was a reflection and what was real. At the end of the sanctuary walkways, there is this lookout point. It's up a tiny little hill. So tiny that you honestly have low expectations of what you'll see at the top. But when you get to the top, it is just views for days. Marsh as far as the eye can see. The only downside is that dogs are not allowed.

Ellis Nature Sanctuary

Marshfield's Ellis Nature Sanctuary features 27 acres of conservation land with a half-mile trail around a former cranberry bog, with streams that flow into the South River. It is a great quick walk if you want a shot at seeing some wildlife without much of a commitment, and there are picnic tables and a bench in a clearing by the pond, where great blue herons are often spotted in the surrounding wetlands. The land traces back to Samuel Baker, one of the town's founders, and later became a small family cranberry operation before Marshfield acquired it in 2006.

Ferry Hill Thicket

One of Marshfield's earliest conservation acquisitions, and also one of its smallest, Ferry Hill Thicket is a 6-acre parcel where birds often congregate, offering a half-mile walk through woodland and thicket. Look for the property sign on Ferry Hill Road, where there is just enough room for one car to pull over and park.

Furnace Brook Watershed Conservation Area

Marshfield's first major conservation acquisition is also one of its least-known. Furnace Brook runs through these 287 forested acres, tucked between Forest, Pine, School, and Main Streets, with trailheads on each of those roads and a network of walking paths inside, though there is no official parking area to speak of.

Green harbor

Green Harbor Beach is Marshfield's southern ocean beach, a mile of sand at the mouth of the Green Harbor River, running north from the Duxbury Beach line up toward the working fishing village and marina at Green Harbor itself. There is a jetty on the northern end with long views down the beach and across the channel, and it is a nice, quieter alternative if Duxbury Beach next door feels too crowded. The marina inland has been a working small-craft harbor since the 1880s, and the neighborhood still has a bit of that old fishing-village character to it, distinct from the more residential feel of Brant Rock to the north. Piping plovers nest here in season, so keep an eye out for roped-off areas protecting their habitat.

Hoyt-Hall Preserve

Hoyt-Hall is a relatively brand new site on the South Shore for the Wildlands Trust. It's hard to follow the history of the land acquisitions but it took several years to acquire the land necessary to make a good trail network. All the effort was certain worth the effort because this is a great location! The trail is essentially one big loop with some potential offshoots including one to the Issac Winslow House through a Red Maple Swamp. About half of the trail is very even and level, making it very suitable for strollers, kids, and the like. While the other half is in great condition, there are some narrow parts with large tree roots that might make it hard to navigate. In addition, there are some hills but given the stable terrain they should be doable as well. Interesting features to call out? The narrow pathway that cuts across Long Tom Pond is pretty unique but the coolest part is the historic cistern along the ponds edge. The Woodlands Trust has also done a great job installing a few benches around the site as well.

John Little Conservation Area

John Little Conservation Area is a 25 acre section of land along the North River in Marshfield. The property offers visitors a variety of experiences from pasture to forest to marshland. The most picturesque part of the property is a long pier that leads to the North River. There is a dock that enables boaters to tie up for a brief respite and enjoy the view. One of the best smaller trails in Marshfield!

Jose Carreiro Woodland

Marshfield's Jose Carreiro Woodland features 11 acres of conservation land with more than a mile of trails and nice views of the North River. It connects into the adjacent Two Mile Farm property, so it is easy to string together a longer walk here than the acreage alone might suggest.

Keville Footbridge & Pratt Trails

The combination of the Bridle Rail trail and Pratt provides visitors a 2 mile walk with many unique features. I can imagine this being an ideal for families since the terrain is largely very flat but with many things to keep little kids entertained. The Bridle Trail is actually many miles long as it stretches through Marshfield so this is only a very small piece of it. The Pratt trails are built around the Zena Brook, which flows through the 37-acre Pratt property. In 2017, many of these footbridges were restored to increase accessibility to the area. Residents voted to acquire the Pratt property at special Town Meeting in 2012. Additional plans are in place for the Pratt property itself which includes a beautiful but decaying home.

Marshfield Bridle Path and Rail Trail

The Marshfield Bridle Path and Rail Trail is one of the town's longer connected trail systems, running 3.5 miles as the Bridle Path and Rail Trail proper, plus another 2.5 miles on Rail Trail South, tracing along the edge of Carolina Hill Reservation before continuing on toward the South River. Ample parking is available behind the Marshfield Senior Center on Webster Street, making it an easy trail to access for a longer walk, run, or bike ride.

Marshfield Launch and Brooks-Tilden Shipyard

Marshfield Launch and Brooks-Tilden Shipyard is a 15-acre conservation parcel sitting directly on the North River, just upstream of the Union Street Bridge. It is a working access point as much as anything else, with a public canoe and kayak launch that makes it a good put-in spot for exploring this stretch of the river.

Mounces Meadow

Mounces Meadow is home to Marshfield's main community garden, with plots larger than the ones offered at Coast Guard Hill, plus a flower field and walking trails around the perimeter. It is a working, hands-on kind of green space rather than a scenic destination trail, with garden plots maintained by residents and the occasional community project, like a set of native-bee "bee hotels" installed by a local Eagle Scout, tucked in along the property edges.

Nelson Memorial Forest

Nelson Memorial Forest is a bit of a hidden gem for visitors - in part because the actual signage for the Forest is not at the roadside. The true forest boundary is located about ten minutes of walking from the parking lot on Union Street in Marshfield. While I've been to this property a handful of times now, I know that I have barely scratched the surface. There is a very well established trail network. Each time I've visited I have taken the standard route of going directly to the North River. The Nelson Memorial Forest is unique in that it is actually managed by the New England Forestry Foundation. At a super high level, their mission is to manage a healthy forest by responsibly tracking tree growth and species in the environment. There are only two properties in the NEFF system that have saltwater frontage - and this is one! Fun fact from the NEFF website? The smallest salamander species found in Massachusetts, the four-toed Salamander, is said to dwell in the marsh along Cove Creek. There is a well-established trail system on the property. When you decide to visit the forest, you will park in a lot on Union Street in Marshfield. The main trails are well-worn and obvious but it never hurts to take a picture of the map in the parking lot. This is not the most stroller friendly trail despite a few boardwalks over streams. There are some uneven, narrow parts before getting to the main forest. It is do-able but you'll have to work a bit harder. It is probably about a 25 minute walk to the river from the parking lot. A bit of history about the preserve? According to the NEFF website, The Nelson Memorial Forest was donated in 1958 by Miss Katharine Dorothea Nelson. Nineteen years later her heirs – Margaret H. Milholland, Anne Felton Spencer, Hugh Kingsbury Tyson, and Penelope L. Adams – donated an adjoining parcel. Sailing barges that carried apples and firewood to Boston once stopped at a stone dock, called Packet Landing, on the North River of the Nelson Memorial Forest.

North River Wildlife Sanctuary

Mass Audubon's 225-acre North River Wildlife Sanctuary offers 2.5 miles of well-marked trails through forest, meadow, and red maple swamp, including a quarter-mile universally accessible sensory trail through a fern glen. There are boardwalks and an observation deck on the North River itself, where harbor seals are sometimes visible, and the sanctuary is a genuinely good spot for birding, with everything from turkeys to red-tailed hawks passing through. In 2021 the town of Marshfield set aside an additional 13 acres next door as a buffer against flooding, with Mass Audubon holding a conservation restriction on it. Between the trail variety and the accessibility of the sensory loop, this is one of the more family- and mobility-friendly nature spots in town.

Peter Igo Park

Peter Igo Park sits in the Brant Rock village of Marshfield, with basketball, tennis/pickleball, beach volleyball, and bocce courts, a small playground, and a launch for non-motorized boats and rowing shells onto the Green Harbor River. In season there is a small pier with floats, and the park doubles as headquarters for Green Harbor Rowing, which offers shell lessons for both juniors and adults. There are no trails within the park itself, but the Harbor Walk starts just steps away, running from the Marshfield Town Pier past the park and on to the Brant Rock Esplanade. Named for Marshfield's first Director of Recreation, the park was dedicated in 1976 and renovated in 2014.

Phillips Farm Preserve

Philips Farm Preserve is a Wildlands Trust property located in Marshfield. The preserve is located in an area of Marshfield rich with conservation sites including some connected to Philips. The original Philips Farm was owned by the Philips family for over 150 years. This particular preserve consists of 40 acres that were secured in 1999. Without Phillips Farm, four other properties — Cornhill Woodland, Union Street Woodland, Tilden Farm, and Nelson Memorial Forest — could not have been linked by trail. The preserve was purchased with the support of residents who value the historic country vistas, farm meadows, and historic, classic farmhouses and stone walls. Some nature tips from the Wildlands Trust: Listen for scarlet tanagers, hermit thrushes, red-eyed vireos, blue-gray gnatcatchers, eastern wood peewees, and other forest interior birds. As you walk, you may hear the music of the wind moving through the large white pines or inhale the intense fragrance of sweet pepperbush, which blooms in late July. Fall brings visual delights as first the tupelos and then the swamp maples of this mixed hardwood forest splash brilliant red across the landscape. The evergreen hollies sparkle in the gray winter landscape.

Pratt Farm

Marshfield's Pratt Farm offers 34 acres of conservation land along both the South River and Zenas Brook. A half-mile of trails winds through the woods and wetlands here, crossing a few small bridges along the way, and it is a nice, quiet option if you are looking for a shorter walk in this part of town.

Pudding Hill Reservation

Pudding Hill Reservation is located off Rt 123 in Pembroke near Marshfield Center. The site consists of two main pieces: field leading to a pond and short wooded trails. The primary trail entrance is located just at the base of the pine tree covered hillside across from the pond. The Pudding Hill reservation is managed by the Wildlands Trust. Here are some additional ecological notes from the Wildlands Trust: White pines dominate on the gravelly soils of this glacial ridge and create an open, airy forest. In spring, a high-pitched, trilling song may alert you to the presence of a nesting pine warbler or chipping sparrow. White oaks and black oaks are found in some parts of the preserve. The South River is little more than a brook here and flows through Chandlers Pond, over a spillway, and along the base of Pudding Hill. Red maples predominate in these lowlands. Waterfowl, herons, and belted kingfishers visit the pond in spring and fall. In the moist soil along the shores of the pond, you may see mosses and skunk cabbage, and wildflowers such as starflower, Canada mayflower, and pale green orchis. You are welcome to walk through the open field, which is within the reservation, and along the shore of the pond. HISTORY The site was donated by Elizabeth Bradford in 1981. An additional 3 acres was acquired in 1994. The other item of note would be the Chandlers Pond history. The pond was developed as a result of the dam built to support local milling operations in the colonial era. During the 18th century, the Baker family operated several gristmills on the pond, which were succeeded by the Marshfield Cotton and Wool Manufacturing Company in the 1800s. By the middle of the 19th century, the area where Pudding Hill Lane crosses the spillway was the site for a factory school, a dye house, and boarding houses for the mill workers, and work areas for a blacksmith, a cooper, and a coffin maker. (source: Wildlands Trust ) HISTORY

Rexhame Beach Trail

Rexhame Beach is a unique town trail - and perfect all year round. While our initial visit was in the blustery Winter months, the idea of taking a summer stroll along the marsh sounds pretty perfect to us. Rexhame Beach is located in Marshfield and abuts the Humarock section of Scituate. Like nearly all the town trails in Marshfield, dogs are welcome at Rexhame! There are many benches along the back marsh area that have been donated by the Marshfield Canine Club. During the off-season month's you can visit this area for free, but there is a fee for parking during the peak Summer season. Non-residents can buy a day pass for $15-20. After 5 pm, the fee is only $5 - and you'll get to enjoy a picture perfect sunset. For more information on parking fees, you can check out the Police Dept's website.

South River Park

The 1.7-acre South River Park in Marshfield offers river views, benches, a short trail, a boardwalk, and a picnic area, along with a Veterans Honor Roll listing over 1,200 Marshfield residents who served in the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf conflicts. Established in 2012 in what had been an overgrown, invasive-choked lot, the park now serves as a companion green space to nearby Veterans Memorial Park and is part of the South River Greenway that links several of downtown Marshfield's open spaces together.

Town Landing

Two Mile Farm

Two Mile Farm and Jose Carreiro Woods are two conservation sites directly next to each other in Marshfield off Union Street. While Two Mile Farm is a Trustees of the Reservation site, the Carreiro Woods are affiliated with the town of Marshfield. Although the Union Street entrance is easy to miss, this location is a great place to visit with a dog, friends or by yourself. When you combine the two trail networks, you can customize a walk ranging 1/2 mile to 2 miles.

Union Street Woodland

The 41-acre Union Street Woodland in Marshfield features a half-mile trail, with boardwalks, connecting to Nelson Memorial Forest, plus another trail linking over to Phillips Farm Preserve. Together these properties add up to more than 200 acres of contiguous open space along the North River, with old stone walls throughout as a reminder of the land's farming past.

Veterans’ Memorial Park

Veterans Memorial Park in Marshfield is a grassy property with a small pond, the South River flowing through it, a footbridge, a water wheel, paved walking paths, and a small lagoon with a fountain, making for a genuinely pleasant spot within the busy Route 139 corridor. The site is a historic one: Marshfield's very first grist mill was built here in 1656, and a cotton and woolen mill later operated on the same ground in the 1800s. After a decade of planning, removal of the old mill dam began here in late 2024, which should eventually let herring and other migratory fish move much farther upstream to spawn. The park connects into the South River Greenway, Marshfield's chain of downtown open spaces that also includes South River Park, Pratt Farm, and the Keville Footbridge.

Webster’s Wilderness

The 244-acre peninsula shares many of the features found on the harbor islands. Overlooking Hingham Bay, it is formed by two drumlins and has rocky beaches, ledges, cliffs, patches of salt marsh and an area of freshwater marsh. From the minute you arrive, it is clear why Worlds End is one of the most popular locations on the South Shore. If you do decide to visit, try to come on the earlier side of the day as the parking lot can get quite full. Feel free to bring your lunch or a snack to enjoy on any of the countless benches that are scattered throughout the property.

Wharf Creek Conservation Area

Wharf Creek is a Marshfield town trail located off RT 139 / Careswell Road along the Green Harbor. The trail is nearly entirely in wetlands which can make for a damp hike. The best time to visit would be when it has not rained for a few days. There are two entrances to Wharf Creek. The first is located across from Coffee Shack donuts on RT 139 / Careswell Road. The second is off Calypso Lane. This second entrance is in a very residential neighborhood so parking is not especially obvious. Given this is a town trail and the primary signage is at the Calypso entrance, we think it is probably okay to park here for a quick hike. Alternatively, a visitor could park at Coffee Shack and treat yourself to a donut either before or after the hike. The trail itself is very peaceful and does not appear to be frequently used. The path is relatively well maintained although it can be very narrow at some parts. During tick season, visitors should be extra vigilant. The highlight of the trail is the view of Green Harbor. This vista located about a half mile in from the Rt 139 entrance.

Winslow House

The Winslow House, built around 1699, is the ancestral home of the founding family of Marshfield, and remains one of the least-altered First Period colonial houses left in the old Plymouth Colony. It was built by Judge Isaac Winslow on land originally granted to his grandfather Edward Winslow, a Mayflower passenger, and the house passed through four generations of a family that produced governors, generals, doctors, and judges before it was later owned for a time by Daniel Webster himself. Today it operates as a museum and cultural center, with seasonal tours and events, and quiet trails on the grounds that connect through the woods to the Hoyt-Hall Preserve and the Marcia Thomas House next door. It is a lovely little pocket of Marshfield history to wander, whether or not you catch it during open hours.