Myles Standish State Forest

Myles Standish State Forest is a state forest located in the towns of Plymouth and Carver in southeastern Massachusetts, approximately 45 miles (72 km) south of Boston. It is the largest publicly owned recreation area in this part of Massachusetts and is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Description The forest is part of the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecoregion and consists largely of pitch pine and scrub oak forests—at 26 square miles (67 km2), one of the largest such forests north of Long Island. The forest surrounds 16 lakes and ponds, including several ecologically significant coastal kettle ponds. Ecology Species commonly found in Southeast Massachusetts pine barrens: Plants Trees Pitch pine Bear oak (scrub oak) Dwarf chestnut oak (scrub oak) Fruit-bearing Hillside and lowbush blueberry Black huckleberry Bearberry Birds'-foot violet Animals Birds Eastern towhee Eastern bluebird Pine warbler Prairie warbler Whip-poor-will Insects Persius duskywing (endangered) Frosted elfin Slender clearwing sphinx moth Barrens buck moth Melsheimer's sack-bearing moth Gerhard's underwing moth Barrens tiger beetle (endangered) Antlion Reptiles Northern red-bellied cooter Eastern box turtle Eastern hognose snake Mammals Fisher Deer Coyote Activities and amenities Recreational uses include swimming, hunting, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and picnicking. Day-use areas are found at College Pond and Fearing Pond. Hunting is allowed during the season, and two Wildlife Management Areas within the forest are stocked with game birds in October and November. In the summer, the park offers interpretive programs, such as pond shore walks and cranberry bog explorations. Trails The forest offers fifteen miles (24 km) of paved bicycle trails, thirty-five miles (56 km) of horse trails, and thirteen miles (21 km) of hiking trails. The "Bicycle Trails of Carver" were included in the Massachusetts Department of Travel and Tourism's list of 1000 great places in Massachusetts. Some popular trails in the park include Bentley Loop Trail, East Head Reservoir Trail, Friends' Trail, Charge Pond Loop Trail, Frost Pocket Loop Trail and Pine Barren's Trail. Camping Camping is offered at five sites, four of which are located at ponds: Curlew Pond, Fearing Pond, Charge Pond, Barrett Pond. A portion of the Charge Pond area is set aside for equestrian camping. Ponds The following table lists the ponds and recreational activities available at each in Myles Standish State Forest. = FORMAL ACCESS is available for recreational activity. NFA = Recreational activity is permitted, but NO FORMAL ACCESS is available. LA = LIMITED ACCESS for low impact recreational use is permitted, sensitive pond shore habitat. NP = Recreational access NOT PERMITTED, habitat protection area. Scouting Cachalot Scout Reservation, a Boy Scout camp, encompasses 880 acres (360 ha) surrounding Five Mile Pond adjacent to Myles Standish State Forest. Camp Squanto is also located within Myles Standish State Forest as is Camp Wind-in-the-Pines, a girl scout camp. Prison A state correctional facility, MCI - Plymouth, is also located in Myles Standish State Forest. Incidents On May 14, 1977, according to the Plymouth Police Department records, Eric H. Anderson Jr. murdered Ruth Masters (née Ruth Rydberg), a teacher in nearby Hanson, Massachusetts, while she was riding her bike alone on an isolated trail in the park. He was later found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in Maine State Prison in Warren, Maine. References External links Myles Standish State Forest Department of Conservation and Recreation Myles Standish State Forest Trail Map Department of Conservation and Recreation