Rafe's Chasm Park is a ten acre strip of city owned woodland in the Magnolia neighborhood, running from Hesperus Avenue down to the rocky Atlantic shoreline. A short flat woodland trail leads to a cliff top outlook with views toward Norman's Woe rock and Kettle Island. The chasm itself is a narrow rock fissure reached by scrambling across shoreline boulders.
What to expect
Dogs
Dogs are allowed but must be under the control of the owner or keeper, per the city's dog control ordinance.
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
City of Gloucester Conservation Division
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On site
Info kiosk
Signage and an information bulletin board stand at the Hesperus Avenue trailhead.
Worth knowing
- Gloucester Code sec. 22-270 bars parking on several stretches of Hesperus Avenue at Rafe's Chasm and sets a tow away zone there from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. each day.
Common questions
Is the walk to Rafe's Chasm hard?
No - it's a short, flat, easy 0.4-mile round trip through woods from the Hesperus Avenue pull-off, suitable for most visitors, though the surface is natural, not paved.
Can I bring my dog to Rafe's Chasm Park?
Dogs are allowed but must be under the control of the owner or keeper, per the city's dog control ordinance.
What rules should I know at Rafe's Chasm Park?
Rocky, exposed shoreline at the chasm; footing can be slick near the water, especially at high tide or in wet weather.