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Hiking

Darby Pond Well Water Protection Land

266 Plympton Road, Plymouth, MA

Town of Plymouth: 508-747-1620

Owned By: Town of Plymouth

West Plymouth’s Darby Pond Well Water Protection Land offers a 1.25-mile out-and-back trail through forest and reclaimed cranberry bogs, plus views of Darby Pond. There are 197 acres of open space here — 155 acres of well water protection land, plus 42 acres of land held in reserve for a future town cemetery.

Hunting is allowed, in season, by licensed persons in compliance with Massachusetts law. Please be sure to understand state and local hunting guidelines before proceeding. Non-hunters, be mindful of hunting seasons, and wear bright orange if you’re entering the property during those times. Hunting is not permitted on Sundays.

Features

The town of Plymouth acquired this property in 2023.

This land is within the region of the Wampanoag. To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mashpee Wampanoag and the Herring Pond Wampanoag share information on their websites.

Trail Description

Park along the roadside at 266 Plympton Road and look for the trailhead and informational kiosk. A narrow woodland trail leads to a much-wider trail that goes up and down some moderate hills for a total of 0.65 miles. Follow the white blazes. There are numerous side trails not included on the current map. Eventually you will pass through a power easement. Bear a little to the right in the easement, and then look for the trail on the other side. It continues as a wide flat road for another 0.65 miles, through reclaimed cranberry bogs. For pond access, turn right at the end of the trail, and look for the pond a short distance down the trail to the left.

Habitats and Wildlife

These trails extend through reclaimed cranberry bogs, and through a forest that is predominantly pine, oak, and pitch pine, with a few birches. There are occasional outcroppings of quartz.

Waters on this property flow to the Winnetuxet River, part of the Taunton River watershed.

  • A photograph of a forest trailhead with a small property sign and kiosk.
  • A photograph of a roadside pulloff parking area.
  • A photograph of a narrow forest trail.
  • A photograph of a tree in a forest with a white trail blaze.
  • A photograph of a wide forest trail, leading uphill.
  • A photograph of a wide forest trail with a white blaze on one tree.
  • A photograph of a dirt trail through an open area.
  • A photograph of a wide trail through a forest.
  • A photograph of a wide trail through a sunny woodland.
  • A photograph of a wetland within a forest.
  • A photograph of a wide trail beside a reclaimed cranberry bog with colorful foliage.
  • A photograph of a large pond surrounded with trees.
  • A photograph of a large pond with a boulder and a sandy area in the foreground.
266 Plympton Road, Plymouth, MA

Historic Site: No

Park: No

Beach: No

Boat Launch: No

Lifeguards: No

Size: 197 acres

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: Limited roadside parking at 266 Plympton Road in Plymouth.

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy, Medium

Facilities:

Informational kiosk at trailhead.

Dogs: Dogs must remain on leash. Please clean up after your pet!

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: No

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Winnetuxet River / Taunton River watershed

Other Things to Do at This Site

Cross-country Skiing
Forest Trails