Myles Standish State Forest, which is located in Plymouth and Carver, Massachusetts, is simply vast! With the number of trails and paths crisscrossing this large parcel of land, one could be lost for days. From pond loops to wooded paths, Myles Standish State Forest is a nature lover’s dream.
A Little History
Myles Standish State Forest is the largest area of protected land on the South Shore. Its size is comparable to that of the city of Providence, Rhode Island. It was purchased by the state of Massachusetts in 1916. Recreational activities abound in the state forest such as swimming at one of the many ponds, camping, and hiking the many miles of trails, biking, and horseback riding. The forest is very large, over 15,0000 acres, and it is easy to get lost, even by car!
The park is an example of a pine barren ecosystem with scrub oak and pitch pine growing naturally. There is also an array of feathered, aquatic, and reptilian species. The forest is located both in Plymouth and Carver. The main entrance is off Long Pond Road in Plymouth. (Note–do not be surprised to see signs for “MCI Plymouth” as there is a correctional facility buried deep inside the forest, which is understandably off-limits to the public.)
Visiting Myles Standish State Forest
My first visit to Myles Standish occurred while entering the park from the Carver side on Cranberry Road. Out for an evening ride when we first moved to the area, my wife and I were pretty spooked, as this forest seemed never-ending. During our nighttime ride, all the surroundings looked quite similar, so we couldn’t tell if we were making progress or simply driving in circles. To boot, there is poor cell reception in the forest and my phone’s battery was dying.
Since then, our trips through Myles Standish State Forest have included daytime drives exploring all the paved nooks and crannies of the forest. There is also much more that one needs to venture off the road for.
The entrance to the forest from Long Pond Road in Plymouth is a popular place to park. During one such visit, we parked there, crossed the road to the southern side, and proceeded to push my older son on his tricycle and my younger son in a stroller. This side of the road is paved and presents as a relatively easy trail. It eventually offshoots into the woods but we opted to stay on the path.
Ponds and More Ponds
On another journey, we parked at the intersection of Lower College Pond and Federal Pond roads. Federal Pond Road looks more like a rutted dirt driveway than an actual road. We hiked up Federal Pond Road until it intersected with Wayont Road. Granted these dirt “roads” look more like paths than roads but are marked on the maps. At the corner of Federal Pond and Wayont the trees change. Myles Standish State Forest is the second largest tract of pitch pine barrens, second only to the famous Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey. These pines are more spindly looking than typical pine trees that one may imagine such as spruce or Douglas fir. At this intersection though, the forest becomes more dense and dark with a larger concentration of trees.
A Walk in the Woods
On our latest journey at Myles Standish State Forest, we parked again at the Long Pond Road lot. Keeping on the northern side of the road, our first trail took us to a powerline path. Walking a bit down here we were confused about where to go. Eventually, we retraced our steps to go back into the woods. On that first path, we ducked down a side trail. This one paralleled Alden Road, the major road in the forest. It parallelled but did not lead to the road. It dipped over hills and up semi-steep inclines, over logs, and around bends. This hugs the boundary of the forest. Eventually, we bushwhacked it to Alden Road and walked the street back to the car due to tired little legs and the fact that dusk was settling soon.
Truly there is so much to see in Myles Standish State Park. It can be overwhelming to figure out what to do here. Clearly, these three walks and driving routes are the tip of the iceberg. There are ponds for swimming, water for fishing, cabins to camp in, and all kinds of other outdoor recreation available at Myles Standish.
Want Some More?
For more Plymouth, check out these Backyard Road Trips: (Mostly) Free Family Fun in Plymouth, Favorite Take Out Spots in Plymouth, and Backyard Road Trips Rocks! Scavenger Hunt.
