South Triangle Pond Conservation Area - North and South Rivers Watershed Association

60 Drew Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360, USA

Owned By: Wildlands Trust

This secluded 47-acre property on South Triangle Pond offers 2 miles of hilly woodland trails and water views. It is comprised up of 3 preserves: the Barnes-Jenkins Hole Wood Lot, the Herbert W. Bartlett Preserve, and the Phillips Preserve. There’s a small area for fishing directly on the pond. Directly adjacent to Plymouth Town Forest.

For up-to-date information and real time trail conditions, visit wildlandstrust.org/trails

It’s important to know that some of our freshwater fisheries are contaminated with mercury, PFAS and/or other concerning substances. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health maintains an online database with up-to-date advisories regarding fish consumption, sorted by location. We recommend you consult this valuable resource when planning a fishing excursion.

Features

Long before European settlers arrived in 1620, this land was part of Pokanoket, a Wampanoag village governed by Massasoit. The Wildlands Trust property was created thanks to gifts from 3 individuals. In 1989, Ethel P. Phillips provided the 3.5 acre Phillips Preserve. In 1990, Ruth Spooner Belcher provided the 4.1 acre Barnes-Jenkins Hole Wood Lot, and in 1991, Doris E. McNeill provided the 40.1 acre Herbert W. Bartlett Preserve.

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

Trail Description

The parking area is limited to a handful of spots, just off the road. Look for the informational kiosks. On the west side, a short (0.06-mile) trail leads to an overlook with a bench and a steep incline to the water’s edge where, in season, there is a small fishing dock.

On the east side, the trail extends up and down numerous hills — some are tall and steep! It continues for nearly 2 miles, crossing two private roads along the way. Please respect private property and remain on the trails. Access to the private roads is prohibited.

On the east side, follow the 0.1-mile entrance trail to the first intersection. If you turn left, you can explore a 0.25-mile loop. If you turn right, you’ll be entering hilly terrain — rare to find on the South Shore! After about 0.2 miles, look for a trail on the right, which leads back to the parking area. Or continue straight, where you’ll find a pleasant bench for resting, and then another mile+ of up-and-down trail. After crossing two private roads, the trail ends abruptly at the top of a hill. If you squint, you can see Great South Pond below!

There are additional unmarked trail intersections that lead into the Plymouth Town Forest.

Habitats and Wildlife

The woods here are primarily white pine with some oak, maple, sassafras, and pitch pine. The understory features sweet pepperbush, huckleberry and low-bush blueberry. Low to the ground, look for Canada mayflower and wintergreen.

South Triangle Pond is a kettle pond. It is surrounded by a forest containing numerous hills and hollows, formed by the meltwater of receding glaciers over 14,000 years ago. According to the Wildlands Trust, coastal plain ponds such as this one are one of the most ecologically significant habitats in the world. There is a high concentration of coastal plain ponds in this section of Plymouth.

The streams and surface waters in the South Triangle Pond Conservation Area are part of the Town Brook watershed. They flow north to Billington Sea, the 269-acre freshwater pond that is the headwaters for Town Brook. The brook flows for 1.5 miles before emptying into Plymouth Harbor.