It is a wonderful place to spend a weekend exploring. Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Massachusetts: 33 reviews, 24 photos, & 8 tips from fellow RVers. Scoop the poop! In 1966 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took possession of the Cohasset Annex property. It has stands of White Atlantic cedar, American holly, chestnut oak, shagbark hickory, mountain laurel, pink dogwood, white pine, American Beech, and hemlock, some estimated to be 175 years old. Water from Mt. In addition to a large campground and an extensive trail system, the park is noted for the free spring water that can be obtained at Mt. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Wompatuck State Park in Hingham is rated 8.2 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. Length: 1.4 miles Route Type: Trail (Narrow), Path (Medium), Road (Wide) The route turns right, passing an open field on the left and continues past trail marker NN11 to the Leavitt Street entrance. Book Plymouth County Weir River Farm hotels and get the lowest price guranteed by Trip.com! could not find your e-mail or password. On the east Brass Kettle Conservation Area and residential land west of Doane and Church Streets in Cohasset and west of Summer Street and north of Clapp Road in Scituate form the boundary. ely funeral home neptune, nj; longest nfl game weather delay; cari laque bio; Online Forms. Here's a map of the entire state park grounds. The Whitney Spur Rail Trail was built as part of the Greenbush Commuter Rail reconstruction project in 2003. During the 1800s, families maintained woodlots to heat their homes. This 3,500-acre Massachusetts state park served as the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965. Additional parking at the Main Entrance, Leavitt Street in Hingham, and Doane Street in Cohasset. What a treat! Land and water creatures abound in the park. Informational kiosk, bench. Many cement bunkers were constructed and the area became a huge munitions storage depot. In the 1700s early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. But the new rail trail is a trail to nowhere, the Friends say, because it is blocked by the wire fence around the closed area. Stay On paved path until it intersects with another paved path. The park itself is quiet and wooded. Due to the number of trails, a map is necessary to explore the park. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Read Expedia's guide to find out everything you need to know about visiting South Shore Art Center! Robert Knox can be reached at rc.knox2@gmail.com. Many never returned. The Aaron River is relatively close to this entrance. Primarily located in Hingham, Massachusetts, Wompatuck State Park also extends into the nearby towns of Cohasset, Norwell, and Scituate. 43 reviews of Wompatuck State Park "Wompatuck State Park is a huge (something like 4000 acre?) Email: info@nsrwa.org, Public Office Hours: Zimmerman said his department is unable to say when the closed area will be opened. However, they do run out frequently so it is best to print a map prior to leaving. This left most of the land untouched until 1941. Common species include: muskrat, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, skunk, painted turtle, bullfrog, coyote, deer, bobcat, fisher cat, red & grey fox, yellow spotted salamander, yellow spotted turtle, box turtle, woodcock, bass, pickerel and sunfish. There are over 250 bird species in the park, including: blue jay, great blue heron, gosshawk, red tail hawk, yellow warbler, ruffed grouse, and quail. it is a wonderful place . Close to the Norwell entrance to the park is the highest point in Hingham: Prospect Hill. The rail spur entered the ammunition depot at its northern boundary near Leavitt Street and served military warehouses, a cluster of which were in the area of the spur and Leavitt Street. Throughout Wompatuck State Park are remnants of the ammunition depot such as bunkers, railroad tracks, old fire hydrants, and many other fixtures. This land that we call Wompatuck State Park was originally the property of the Indian chief Josiah Wompatuck. Wompatuck State Park is one of the closest campgrounds to Boston, where you can find a weekend getaway and get back to nature without having to travel too far. Exploring some building ruins. [11] With the trail now serving as usable access to the park, 20 spaces in the station lot were dedicated for park users.[12][13]. Stay right on the path and follow the Pond edge. In addition to being a popular camping location, Wompatuck is a favorite among hikers, bicyclists, kayakers, and those who like to fish. Pin. In 1655 he deeded the land we now call Hingham so that others could enjoy the land as he did. Sorry, we View Location View Map. If the risk to public health is higher, remediation could consist of removing contaminated soil or capping the ground. With no vehicle access, it is not recommended for those wishing to use the parks campground. Wompatuck bunkers. The park features approximately 400 seasonal campsites, plus fishing, non-motorized boating and seasonal ice skating on the Aaron River Reservoir. Typically, the Mt. Distance. You feel as though you are deep within a forest with intermittent areas of meadows and ponds. hey - how come you guys havenet been to Wompatuck state park at teh intersection of Norwell, Hingham, Scituate etc, in MA? click for Fullsize. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. Every winter, the sailing vessel Noorderlicht is intentionally frozen into Tempelfjorden. This boulder which balances itself at three points equally distant from each other, was left on the earths surface by glaciers. The Gulf River flows into the ocean at Cohasset Harbor. You will receive your first email soon. In 1969, Wompatuck State Park opened to the public. The Corps fenced off and thoroughly examined several acres before pronouncing it safe. US Topo Map. Follow the red and yellow trail until the yellow trail takes a sharp left- take that, Follow the yellow trail until the blue trail intersects on the left, The blue trail will break off into a side trail on the left- follow this to Bigelow Boulder, At Bigelow Boulder there will be a 5-way intersection- continue on the trail closest to the blue but on your right side (not the blue trail), Continue this trail through the yellow/blue intersection and through the yellow intersection, It will lead to Rooster Rock and Odens Den, Follow the trail until it intersects with the yellow trail then take a left at the yellow trail, You will follow this until you get to NS7 and back into Wompatuck State Park, Take NS9 to Burbank Boulder then bear left to continue onto trail NS3, Follow the reservoir edge in a counterclockwise direction, The trail will lead to a paved trail take right onto paved trail, Park in the parking lot across the road from the Visitor Center. Read more. I can comment on the 10+ miles of paved bicycle trails- gorgeous! Scattered throughout the property are over 100 decommissioned military bunkers, which were used to store ammunition. Wednesday: 9:00am-5:00pm The Aaron Reservoir Dam was constructed from 1976-1978. For thousands of years, the land that encompasses what is today Norwell was inhabited by indigenous people. The Wompy map also provides information about areas to visit within the park and highlights several of the mountain bike trails. Waterbody/Watershed: Aaron River (Gulf River watershed), NSRWA Office The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. cache 6h 0m Before that can happen, another restricted area no longer in federal hands must be restored to public use. Norwell MA 02061, Phone: 781.659.8168 There are 12 miles of paved bike paths, plus off-road trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Offering an over 250 site campground, 12 miles of non-motorized roads and 40 miles of forest trails, the park is a great place to get into nature. In 1941, the United States government established the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex (known by locals as the Cohasset Annex) on the site. Turn right on the rail trail and take the next trail to the left into the woods. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. Doane Street was created at the initiative of Doane to make it easier for second parish residents to attend Hingham town meetings at the corner of Leavitt and East Streets. The trail system is well marked and the trail map is a very good representation of the park. This park is the site of the Burbank Boulder. It was reactivated for the Korean conflict and once again went into full military operation. To get there, follow the trail from Marker S32 to S33 to S 34, and then onward to S3 and S4. This land is within the region of the Massachuseuk (or Massachusett) Native American tribe. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Now a federal project to clean up the burning grounds at Wompatuck is expected to conclude a decades-long effort by the Army Corps of Engineers to resolve all the parks contamination issues dating to its history as an ammunition storage and weapons development site. It will be unmarked. Many of the roads inside the park are . It is very peaceful and since Womaptuck has been a state park since 1969, many of the trees have been allowed to grow tall and large. A rail spur known as the Whitney Spur formerly connected the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroad's Greenbush Line. The park lies largely in the town of Hingham, but also touches parts of Cohasset, Norwell and Scituate. Length: 3.9 mi Est. . This map is centered on the presently in-use state park camping area. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements. 6 ft. . 1,321 ft. ! Conservation and recreation officials, however, said the deteriorating military buildings pose significant safety concerns to the public. 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. Wompatuck State Park, Hingham: See 119 reviews, articles, and 40 photos of Wompatuck State Park, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 20 attractions in Hingham. In 1969, Wompatuck State Park opened to the public. English settlers purchased the land from Wompatuck in 1655. . The 1.5-mile Whitney Spur Rail Trail now connects the Cohasset MBTA station to Wompatuck State Park. Scattered throughout the property are over 100 decommissioned military bunkers, which were used to store ammunition. The last military activity at the Annex took place when the U.S. Army Reserve 187th Infantry Brigade was stationed at United States Army Reserve Center Hingham from 1971 to 1982. We utilized this park as an economical . There are several old military buildings on the property, as well as an abandoned railroad. During the 1800s, families maintained woodlots and grazing lands here, and the streams powered the Stockbridge Shingle Mill. Many are intended for mountain bikes, but are also ideal for hiking. You will come to the Whitney Spur Rail Trail at marker NN7. old post . Initially the rail spur was constructed in the 1940s to link the US Naval Ammunition Depot Annex ( Wompatuck State Park) to the Naval Ammunition Depot, which is now Bare Cove Park. In 1986 the Park acquired an additional 600 acres from the government. Remnants of buildings can often be found clustered near abandoned rail spurs. Trees include Atlantic white cedar, American holly, chestnut oak, shagbark hickory, mountain laurel, pink dogwood, white pine, American beech, and hemlock some estimated to be 175 years old. Soon after it exits the pond, it flows into the Weir River. Is N-9 different than the other bunkers? Our main concern is public safety, he said. Wompatuck State Park spans 3,526 acres of forest, streams and ponds. The trail leads to a paved road, which is Leavitt Street, at marker NN12. Ammo Dump remains in Wompatuck State Park. This rock, a remnant of the glacial period, balances itself at three points equally distant from each other. Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. (214 South Street) You cant beat that. embed Pump Track trail on your website; By Hornblower7 . There are 12 miles of paved biking trails in the park, and many more miles . During the 1800s, the land was used by the local residents. Look for the entrance diagonally across the street from the Hornstra Farm sign on Grove Street. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. View campsite map, availability, and reserve online with ReserveAmerica. Book hotels from Trip.com and get fantastic deals and exclusive discounts! For mountain bikers, the park is home to one of the longest section of switchbacked singletrack in the state. The railroad tracks fan out throughout the property from what is now known as the Whitney Spur Rail Trail at the northwest corner of the park. Ancillary Activities: Horses (permission may be required), Birding, Hunting (permission may be required), Camping (permission may be required), Snowmobiles, Historic Sites. On January 1, 2004, a 125 acre parcel off of Leavitt Street was added to the park. For some off-road fun, explore the many single-track trails through the woods. 2000 ft. Map by Lars Ahlzen / FOW Data from OSM , MassGIS and USGS . Water from Mt. There are still descendants of these original inhabitants living on the South Shore today, and they are known as theMattakeesett Tribe of the Massachusett Indian Nation, theMassachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, andMashpee Wompanoag Tribe. Waterbody/Watershed: Accord Brook (Weir River watershed) and Aaron Brook (Gulf River watershed), NSRWA Office Wompatuck State Park mountain bike trail map. For information on the Wompatuck State Park Big Loop Trail, head to the AllTrails website. Love Massachusetts? Check out some of the older satt. The easiest and cheapest thing to do is to board up the asbestos-contaminated buildings and put up warning signs, Boles said. [4] The park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation[5] which protects forests of the northeastern coastal forests ecoregion.[6]. The 1.5mile long Whitney Spur Rail Trail was constructed in 2003 on land owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation from the MBTA Cohasset Commuter Rail Station parking lot to Wompatuck State Park. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. Were looking to complete the remedial investigation for the site, Charette said. The hiking trails at Ames Nowell State Park are plentiful. Many of these roads go back to colonial times. The red train shop was always my favorite spot anyway, good to see it's still around. its amazing how nature takes back abandoned buildings and spaces in no time. Blue . Theyd use them as echo chambers, recalled Friends member Steve Cobble of Quincy. In winter, the trails are perfect for cross . In 1941, the U.S. Navy acquired from private landowners all of the property in order to expand the already existing Hingham Naval Ammunitions Depot. Wompatuck State Park welcomes everyone. The Gulf River flows into the ocean at Cohasset Harbor. Families maintained woodlots to heat their homes. The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. Several routes around the area lead to the park, but the main entrance is located on Union Street. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed, and are open to the elements. Streams powered the Stockbridge Shingle Mill and water from Mt. Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. . Camping is open from mid-April until mid-October. I know I am dredging up an old post, but we just visited Wompatuck and had our camera with us. The Wompatuck Trail is ADA accessible. hookup & dumping. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. But if you wandered off the trail, you might have a blast of another kind.. Difficulty (Grade/Surface): Easy, Moderate The Aaron River finds its source within Wompatuck State Park and flows northeast to the Aaron River Reservoir. Throughout the park, you will encounter a lake, a cave, forests, and breathtaking views. Offering an over 250 site campground, 12 miles of non-motorized roads and 40 miles of forest trails, the park is a great place to get into nature. Wompatuck State Park Trails is a 10.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Hingham, MA that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Thank you! While we remain anxious to restore full use of that land, we want to continue to work with the Army Corps to ensure an environment that is safe to the public, said Reginald Zimmerman, a spokesman for the states Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages the park. However, I fell in love with Wompatuck very quickly and found that if I memorized a couple of the upcoming intersections, I would not have to look at the map so often. Yes, dogs are allowed in Wompatuck State Park.