John Little Conservation Area - Backyard Road Trips

So far this has been quite the March. With temperatures that hit the 70s in New England, it would typically mean a joyous start to spring, but the Coronavirus has cast a dark cloud on everything. In the last few years, it’s been cold and snowy all through the month; this year it’s beautiful but hard to fully enjoy it. On one of the unseasonably warm days though, my last meeting was canceled so I hit the trail not far from work, at the John Little Conservation Area in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

Marshfield MA John Little — An inviting entry into the John Little Conservation Area

As previously stated, the South Shore of Massachusetts has much conservation land either protected by the towns or managed by groups such as DCR, The Trustees, and the Wildlands Trust. The John Little Conservation Area is owned by the Town of Marshfield. It is located on Union Street, on the left side of the road heading north. Union Street is simply gorgeous, with large rambling farmhouses and a few nature preserves that abut the North River. The North River has its own storied history as a prime location for shipbuilding in the 18th century.

The John Little Conservation Area

Park your car in the small lot which is easily seen from the road. (You might drive by it since it comes up quickly.) Past a stone wall, the start to the walk passes through a picturesque field with a wide-open sky before descending into the woods. The first part of the trail is easy walking with a well-marked path. It gets narrower in places as the path continues. Following the signs for the trail, it eventually leads to a boardwalk over a swampy section.

John Little trail Marshfield — I’m on the trail with the North River in the background

After a few twists and turns, the North River comes into view. The terrain becomes a little (get it, for John Little?) rougher and steeper as the trail leads towards the water. It flanks the river until finally opening through the woods, leading to a long dock with river access.

This was a perfect quick walk to take on a beautiful day after work. It was relatively short, and without kids in tow, the pace was much faster. It’s definitely a spot I would go back to. To make a day of hiking the North River, there are many other preserves right in the same location including the trail at Couch Cemetery, Two Mile Farm Reservation, and Stetson Meadows in neighboring Norwell.