A roughly 2,700-acre reserve spanning Falmouth and Mashpee around Waquoit Bay, combining open water, barrier beach, marsh, and upland under one research and education umbrella. Its component properties, the headquarters grounds, Quashnet River corridor, South Cape Beach, and Washburn Island, each carry their own short trails.
What to expect
Trails
Short marked walking trails at Reserve Headquarters, the Quashnet River area,…
Dogs
Dogs not permitted on any reserve beaches April 1 through September 1; where and when allowed, dogs must stay leashed
Allowed now · ban starts April 1Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
508-457-0495 · WebsiteCommon questions
Is the Visitor Center open year-round?
The headquarters offices run weekdays year-round, but the Visitor Center itself keeps shorter hours outside summer and is staffed daily only from roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Are there trails at Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve?
Yes. Short marked walking trails at Reserve Headquarters, the Quashnet River area,….
Can I bring my dog to Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve?
Dogs not permitted on any reserve beaches April 1 through September 1; where and when allowed, dogs must stay leashed
What rules should I know at Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve?
Ticks are common across reserve lands; check for them after any trail walk, and poison ivy grows along several paths.