Category: Massachusetts Federal

Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge

Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge
“This refuge is comprised of over 36,000 acres within parts of the four watershed states of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut….
The refuge includes nine divisions and nine units that represent a wide variety of unique habitats such as: northern forest valuable as nesting habitat for migrant thrushes, warblers and other birds; rivers and streams used by shad, salmon, herring and other migratory fishes; and an internationally significant complex of high-quality tidal fresh, brackish and salt marshes. Many opportunities exist for visitors to explore the diverse landscapes of the Connecticut River watershed.”
Brochure    Here is the Refuge website.  Thank you to S. M. Burk for sending a correction for the link.

Wheelchair Accessible     A one-mile long, universally accessible birding and natural trail is located at the Fort River division.
Vermont
Wheelchair Accessible Mollie Beattie Bog boardwalk. is a 200 foot self-guided interpretive trail.

New Hampshire
Wheelchair AccessibleMud Pond Trail 0.6 mile

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is located along the northeast coast of Massachusetts. The Refuge provides feeding, resting, and nesting habitat for migratory birds. “Most commonly associated with Plum Island – a barrier beach island – the refuge is comprised of more than 4700 acres of diverse habitats including sandy beach and dune, cranberry bog, maritime forest and shrub land, and freshwater marsh. The most abundant habitat on the refuge is its 3,000+ acres of salt marsh…”.   Phone 978-465-5753  Here are Yelp Reviews and the Refuge Website.      Refuge Brochure   Map
Wheelchair AccessiblePines Trail 0.3 miles.  Call the refuge about a loaner beach wheelchair.  Accessible birding observation points listed in a US Fish and Wildlife Service website : “Salt Pannes Wildlife Observation Area, the Bill Forward Bird Blind, the North Pool Overlook, … Pines Trail, and the observation platforms overlooking the beach and ocean at parking lots 1, 5 and 7.”

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge comprises more than 3,800 acres, 85 percent of which is freshwater wetlands stretching along twelve miles of the Concord and Sudbury Rivers. “Minute Man National Historical Park and Thoreau’s Walden Pond are located nearby.”   Phone 978-443-4661
Here is the Refuge website.   General map.     Brochure.
Wheelchair AccessibleThere is a wheelchair accessible trail around the lake, according to this Yelp review.
From AllTrails: “Concord Unit trail is a 2.7 mile loop trail located near Concord, Massachusetts that features a river and is good for all skill levels.  The trail ….. is accessible from March until November.”  Trails described in the refuge brochure sound easy, but call first to be sure.

Cape Cod

Cape Cod National Seashore Park
Cape Cod National Seashore Park consists of  “Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses, cultural landscapes, and wild cranberry bogs offer a glimpse of Cape Cod’s past and continuing ways of life. Swimming beaches and walking and biking trails beckon today’s visitors.” The Park Website.   Accessibility
Wheelchair Accessible ” Park trails at Doane Rock in Eastham and the Marconi Station Site in Wellfleet have been surfaced to accommodate wheelchairs.”  The Park has quite a few other adaptations, including beach wheelchairs.
HikerwithcaneThe Salt Pond Visitor Center is near to the  1.5 mile Nauset Marsh Trail and the Buttonbush Trail, a .25 mile multi-sensory trail that featuring a guide rope and text panels printed in large lettering and Braille”.  Both trails are described as easy but with some log steps.  Call 508- 255 – 3421 for information.
Here is “Everyone Outdoors”‘s article on “Wheelchair Accessible Cape Cod”.