Five Great Places to Leaf Peep
1. Nickerson State Park, Brewster
Get a completely different Cape Cod experience than you’re used to at Nickerson State Park where you’ll be completely surrounded by woods. Nickerson’s 1900 acres offers eight miles of roads, hiking trails, and an eight mile bike path that connects to the 22 mile Cape Cod Rail Trail. The woods slope down to eight crystal clear ‘kettle ponds’ which are among more than 300 formed as glaciers retreated from the Cape over 10,000 years ago.
2. Old King’s Highway (6A)
Route 6A, which is on the northern, or bay side, of Cape Cod, winds its way through some of the oldest villages in America, including Bourne, Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster and Orleans. Many of the homes and churches along this tree-shaded road are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are also several beaches nearby including Sandy Neck and Sandwich Town Beach if you’d like to stop for a picnic with a view.
3. Waskosim’s Rock Reservation, Martha’s Vineyard
Remnants of the 17th century homestead of James Allen, the first patentee of Tisbury, can be found in the spacious fields of Waskosim. This is the perfect spot for nature study, hiking, picnicking, mountain-biking, horseback-riding, dog-walking (leashes required within half-mile of trailhead), and leaf peeping.
4. The Knob, Woods Hole
Thee Knob, continues to be a major attraction to the public for its nature walk, birding, marsh, coastal bank and its spectacular views of Quissett Harbor and Buzzards Bay. Walk along the winding trails, stop at the end for a panoramic view of the ocean.
5. Waquoit Bay National Estuarine, Falmouth & Mashpee
The best of both worlds, the sand and the land can be found at the various properties that make up the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine. There are marked walking trails located at the Reserve Headquarters, the Quashnet River area, South Cape Beach State Park, Abigail’s Brook, and Washburn Island (click here for Tour of the Reserve locations). Try one or two, or spend a day enjoying them all!
