STATE PARKS

It is not always feasible to take an extended trip to another part of the country to visit a park, which is why we also love exploring state parks. Massachusetts is home to us (with the other New England states close by) and we are trying to check out what these local parks have to offer.

Follow along below as we adventure to the state parks, forests, reservoirs, reservations, and more, all right in our own backyard.

Massachusetts State Parks
Bradley Palmer State Park
Bradley Palmer State Park

It is always more fun to explore new parks with good friends!

Boston Harbor Islands State Park
Boston Harbor Islands State Park

We spent 2 nights on Grape Island exploring tide pools, fishing, swimming, and enjoying each others company.

Maudslay State Park
Maudslay State Park

This former estate covers 480 acres of land along the Merrimack River and has a little bit of everything.

Natural Bridge State Park
Natural Bridge State Park

The park is located in an old abandoned marble quarry and the textures and patterns in the rock formations are gorgeous.

Quabbin Reservoir
Quabbin Reservoir

Stew stopped off to fly fish in the Sift River river while Logan and I enjoyed a picnic lunch and laid under the sky and pointed out shapes in the clouds.

Castle Island
Castle Island

This parks main feature is Fort Independence which stands on the island in Boston Harbor.

Great Brook Farm State Park
Great Brook Farm State Park

There are over 20 miles of trails at Great Brook, as well as a working dairy farm which makes it a unique park to visit. 

Walden in the Winter
Walden in the Winter

What once was a pond now looks like a field, and this foreign landscape felt like walking on another planet.

Willard Brook State Forest
Willard Brook State Forest

Sometimes you just need to blaze your own trail.

Walden Pond State Reservation
Walden Pond State Reservation

A family friendly state park.

MAINE STATE PARKS
Grafton Notch State Park
Grafton Notch State Park

No matter how you visit this park, there is something for everyone, at every age and skill level.

New York State Parks
Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Falls State Park

Our road trip to Niagara Falls State Park, which is considered America's oldest state park.