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Forest Trails

The Nook Preserve

Wildlands Trust - The Nook Preserve, 66 Howlands Ln, Kingston, MA 02364, USA

Wildlands Trust: 774-343-5121

https://wildlandstrust.org/the-nook

Owned By: Wildlands Trust

Owned by the Wildlands Trust, the Nook Preserve is a 17.5-acre property in Kingston with 1/2 mile of woodland trails and beautiful views of the Jones River.

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

Features

Located close to the mouth of the tidal Jones River. In earlier times this property was favored by Native American settlers for summer encampments. The Patuxet, members of the Wampanoag tribe, made their home in the area now known as Duxbury, Kingston and Plymouth. 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.

More recently the land was employed as farmland and pasture by European settlers. Old stone walls still stand at the perimeter, and at the edge of the marsh. The property was donated to the Wildlands Trust in 1992 by Mary C. Cherry.

Diagonally across the street is the historic home site of John Howland, a Pilgrim.

Trail Description

A trail leads for about 1/3 mile through the woods to the edge of the marsh. About halfway down, there is a loop that includes a wooden bench with a beautiful view the Jones River. The medium-width trail is relatively flat and easy to follow.

Habitats and Wildlife

Maple and red cedar trees abound at this small but engaging property on the banks of the Jones River. There are also some very large pine trees, plus up-close views of the salt marsh. Look for wild geranium, an uncommon plant that is present here, perhaps because of the calcium-rich soil.

The Jones River finds its source at Silver Lake and other brooks and springs in Pembroke, Halifax and Kingston. It flows for 7.5 miles through Kingston, and drains into the Atlantic Ocean at Kingston Bay just downstream of this property. Follow the Jones River Watershed Association for more information.

  • A photograph of a series of property signs in a woodland.
  • A photograph of a trailhead with a gate and an informational kiosk.
  • A photograph of a roadside parking spot beside a trailhead.
  • A photograph of a trail leading into a woodland.
  • A photograph of a trail intersection in a woodland.
  • A photograph of a salt marsh viewed through trees, with a river in the background.
  • A photograph of a river and salt marsh.
  • A photograph of a forest trail with a distant bench.
  • A photograph of a river and salt marsh viewed through forest.
  • A photograph of a narrow forest trail.
  • A photograph of a forest trail leading toward a salt marsh.
  • A photograph of a salt marsh and a river.
  • A photograph of a salt marsh with rocks in the foreground.
  • A photograph of a narrow trail through a salt marsh.
  • A photograph of a narrow trail leading from a marsh into a woodland.
  • A photograph of a forest trail.
  • A photograph of a forest trail.
  • A photograph of a forest trail along the edge of a marsh.
  • A photograph of a large tree with climbing footholds, along with a stone wall, at the edge of a marsh.
  • A photograph of a stone wall bordering a marsh.
  • A photograph of a trailside bench.
Wildlands Trust - The Nook Preserve, 66 Howlands Ln, Kingston, MA 02364, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: No

Beach: No

Boat Launch: No

Lifeguards: No

Size: 17.5 acres

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: Limited roadside parking on Howlands Lane, across from Leigh Road.

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Facilities:

Informational kiosk, one bench overlooking the Jones River.

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

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: No

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Jones River

Other Things to Do at This Site

Hiking