kinda freaky out there when you're on your own. Blue Spring was commercially bottled.When the Civil War broke out all the local men were swept into the fight. Dogs Allowed. The tall trees were used for masts and stone walls were built to denote survey and boundary lines. embed Pump Track trail on your website; By Hornblower7 . The caretakers / local authorities have seen fit to seal up or backfill much of what was at Wompatuck in the last few years, but it is still a good place to visit. Wompatuck bunkers. In addition to a large campground and an extensive trail system, the park is noted for the free spring water that can be obtained at Mt. Overall, Wompatuck State Park is a beautiful wooded location nestled close to Boston. In 1941, the US Government purchased the land and expanded the perimeters by purchasing additional land from local families to develop a Navy ammunition depot. The Mount Blue Spring is currently closed. Typically, the Mt. and some of the bunkers are still visible. That could range from a minimal cost to hundreds of thousands of dollars, she said. This state park was previously owned by the Native American chief Josiah Wompatuck. In the 1700s early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. The Burbank Boulder is located in the northeast area of the park near Whitney Thayer Woods. If you have, please let us know if you saw the abandoned buildings. Avoid riding on the trails in wet conditions. The park itself opened in 1969. On January 1, 2004, a 125 acre parcel off of Leavitt Street was added to the park. The park site served as the Cohasset Annex until 1962. Land and water creatures abound in the park. The land at Wompatuck State Park originally belonged to Wampanoag chief Josiah Wompatuck. In 1655 he deeded the land we now call Hingham so that others could enjoy the land as he did. Take the red trail on the right and follow it until it becomes red and yellow. Historic site. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. Or you can just get in contact with the local Boy Scouts troop down there. A large bunker with a loading dock off Union Street, known as N-9, was recently restored by three Eagle Scouts to preserve a piece of munitions history. The sites are: Read the full Friends of Wompatuck Newsletter to learn more about Native American stonework in Eastern Massachusetts. What a treat!! In 1655 he deeded the land we now call Hingham so that others . The nearly 3,600-acre park contains more than 110 now-filled storage bunkers, including - according to the sites historians - one that housed parts of the Navys first nuclear depth charge. Hingham Historical Society Presents a Waves of Change Presentation:Lasting Imprints of WWI and WWII:Bare Cove Park and WompatuckCamp Hingham and the Munition. Take the Green line to Haymarket and walk south toward Faneuil Hall. 451 trails on an interactive map of the trail network. Located at the northern end of the park, the 200-acre closed area includes a few contaminated buildings where munitions such as torpedoes were assembled for shipping to a Navy depot at what is now Bare Cove Park in Hingham. One would hope this [the project] is coming to the end of a very long process, Boles said. Scattered throughout the property are over 100 decommissioned military bunkers, which were used to store ammunition. During the 1800s, families maintained woodlots and grazing lands here, and the streams powered the Stockbridge Shingle Mill. subject to the rules of our, THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING, Report: Warrant Issued for Roggies Bar Owner, Boston Pops Concert Move Keeps the Beach Boys, Ditches Joey McIntyre, Lawmakers pass compounding pharmacy oversight bill, Follow this list on Twitter: @BostonPopular. I jetted ASAP and will go back when I have someone else with me. For mountain bikers, the park is home to one of the longest section of switchbacked singletrack in the state. Be on the lookout for a dirt path that goes downhill on the left-hand side. u have to see it to belive how big it is. The road will take a deep turn to the left and the State Park will be on the right. I used to skateboard in the correct spot to the northeast with my friends in the 80's when I was a teen. If youre looking for a smooth ride, check out the paved Whitney Spur Rail Trail. Also, the park contains the highest point in Hingham: Prospect Hill. Being adjacent to the rail access point to the Ammunition Depot Annex, the area features remnants to many depot structures and abandoned railroad tracks fanning out from the spur track. [11] With the trail now serving as usable access to the park, 20 spaces in the station lot were dedicated for park users.[12][13]. Wompatuck State Park is built upon land that once belonged to a former ammunition depot and several abandoned buildings remain on the property today. Common species include: muskrat, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, skunk, painted turtle, bullfrog, coyote, deer, bobcat, fisher cat, red & grey fox, yellow spotted salamander, yellow spotted turtle, box turtle, woodcock, bass, pickerel and sunfish. Larson added that a bear sighting wasn't a public safety threat. Yes, dogs are allowed in Wompatuck State Park. Scattered throughout the property are over 100 decommissioned military bunkers, which were used to store ammunition. Get Directions . Land was acquired from private homeowners for the purpose of expanding the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot nearby. Taking a trip out thursdayanyone want to join or give advice? These natives grew crops, foraged, hunted, and fished in the Assinippi and North River areas. . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Park trails include 12 miles of paved bicycle routes as well as trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Lastly, Beechwood Street ran east from Union Street through the site of Aaron River Reservoir to Beechwood Street in Cohasset until the reservoir was formed by a dam in 1976-1978. The trail winds through the woods, passing rock outcroppings and loops back to the Whitney Spur Rail Trail at marker NN8. there is a huge ex-ammo depot up there, fenced but accessible very easily. The land at Wompatuck State Park was commonly used by the Massachusett tribe, led by Chief Josiah Wompatuck. Scoop the poop! If you love abandoned places, you can read about Dogtown, a ghost town-turned-park in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Other water features include: Mount Blue Spring, a source of potable spring water, and Woodpecker, Wildcat, and Heron ponds. PO Box 43 Like all land, Womaptuck State Park has a history. It will be unmarked. anonymously (anonymous users cannot post links). Wompatuck State Park- Main Entrance204 Union Street, Hingham, Ma 02043, Size: 3,526 acresHiking: 40 miles of trailsParking: Along Union Street, Visitor Center area, Orchard Triangle, Mt. Home / Hiking / Wompatuck State Park Grove Street Entrance (Norwell), https://www.mass.gov/locations/wompatuck-state-park. Until 1775 Cohasset was part of Hingham, referred to as the second parish. Tweet. This 3,500-acre Massachusetts state park served as the Hingham Naval Ammunition Annex from 1941 to 1965. In 1966 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took possession of the Cohasset Annex property. Tickets cost $0 - $10 and the journey takes . Blue Spring, Transfer Gate. Among the most common are swamp azalea, solomons seal, white geranium, ladies slipper, and sheep laurel. We've since visited many, MANY other state parks in various states and can say with certainty that Wompatuck is a winner. Explore South Shore Art Center when you travel to Cohasset. Take the Orange line to State Street, exit at the Old State House, follow the Freedom Trail to Faneuil Hall. Wildflowers and flowering shrubs also grow in abundance. 2000 ft. Map by Lars Ahlzen / FOW Data from OSM , MassGIS and USGS . Water from Mt. During the 1800s, families maintained woodlots and grazing lands here, and the streams powered the Stockbridge Shingle Mill. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. Every winter, the sailing vessel Noorderlicht is intentionally frozen into Tempelfjorden. its amazing how nature takes back abandoned buildings and spaces in no time. Typically, the Mt. Thank you for your website feedback! Blue . Blue Spring . While there is plenty of natural beauty to explore around the Bay State, there are also fascinating ruins to be found as well. This allows for no two hikes to be the same. Among the most common are swamp azalea, solomons seal, white geranium, ladies slipper, and sheep laurel. The streams powered Stockbridge Mill, which was used to make shingles. Other access points include:Main Entrance, Hingham Leavitt Street Entrance, Hingham Triphammer Pond Conservation Area, Hingham Whitney Spur Rail Trail, Cohasset Whitney & Thayer Woods, Cohasset Doane Street Entrance, Cohasset Aaron River Reservoir and Dam, Cohasset Brass Kettle Conservation Area, Cohasset Grove Street, Norwell Mt. A low risk may warrant limited use controls - trails could go through the area, but no digging would be permitted, and signs would be posted to warn the general public not to disturb the soil. Wompatuck State Park Prospect Street/Norwell Entrance, Count Fish Online South River, Marshfield, Dumpster Maintenance and Waste Materials Checklist, Mattakeesett Tribe of the Massachusett Indian Nation. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed and are open to the elements. Wompatuck State Park. Because there are no designated loops the ideal way to tackle Wompatuck State Park is to look at a map before leaving and find points that you might like to see along the way. Dogs: Dogs must be leashed at all times. Trees include Atlantic white cedar, American holly, chestnut oak, shagbark hickory, mountain laurel, pink dogwood, white pine, American beech, and hemlock some estimated to be 175 years old. They're the ones who restored it and give tours, from what Ive heard. Some cool old bunkers (unfortunately some graffiti - seems like it is a trend around the area to tag historical stuff - such a shame) Date of experience: March 2020 Ask debbies556 about Wompatuck State Park In 1655, Chief Josiah Wompatuck, leader of the tribe, deeded the land, we now call Hingham and Cohasset, to the settlers from England. Email: info@nsrwa.org, Public Office Hours: In 1941, the U.S. Navy acquired from private landowners all of the property in order to expand the already existing Hingham Naval Ammunitions Depot. Several routes around the area lead to the park, but the main entrance is located on Union Street. Ammo Dump remains in Wompatuck State Park. Throughout the park, you will encounter a lake, a cave, forests, and breathtaking views. It stretches into four towns Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Norwell. The land itself feels lush and magical. In the 1700s, early settlers and ship captains held title to the area, but the land was never extensively developed. 110+ underground bunkers stored munitions. US Topo Map. Ames Nowell State Park. The terrain of the park is extensively shaped by the glacial period. From what I could see through the door it might be two rooms? This area was known as the Cohasset Annex. The trail leads to a paved road, which is Leavitt Street, at marker NN12. Check out historicaerials and you can see where soem bunkers were removed or flooded for the reservoir at the other end of the property. Wompatuck State Park in Hingham is rated 8.2 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. English settlers purchased the land from Wompatuck in 1655. A hike here is as spooky as it is fascinating. Many cement bunkers were constructed and the area became a huge munitions storage depot. Streams powered the Stockbridge Shingle Mill and water from Mt. Please do not include personal or contact information. Doane Street was created at the initiative of Doane to make it easier for second parish residents to attend Hingham town meetings at the corner of Leavitt and East Streets. I was slightly irritated when I first looked at the state park trail map because I did not want to hike in an area where I would need to pull out my map so frequently. The Gulf River flows into the ocean at Cohasset Harbor. 781-447-7223 | 242 Bedford St. Whitman MA 02382. . Informational kiosk, bench. Compare 2,301 hotels, room rates, hotel reviews and availability. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Directions The Annex was connected to the Ammunition Depot on the Back River, at what is now Bare Cove Park by railroad. Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. Camping season typically runs from early May until Columbus Day weekend. You can find it in a shed with an adjacent parking area, on Union Street in the park, between markers E14 and E1, not far from the Transfer Station area. When the Civil War broke out all the local men were swept into the fight. However, they do run out frequently so it is best to print a map prior to leaving. I prefer the dirt, but the occasional walk along the pavement was also welcoming. Camping is open from mid-April until mid-October. Is N-9 different than the other bunkers? Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Massachusetts: 33 reviews, 24 photos, & 8 tips from fellow RVers. Since then, 725 acres have been added. The spring was closed when we were there and we did not explore the park much. Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm. The Aaron Reservoir Dam was constructed from 1976-1978. hookup & dumping. Originating at Accord Pond it flows along the southwest boundary of the park near Prospect Street north to South Pleasant St. Geocache locations. 3,526 acres, 262 wooded campsites, 12 miles of paved bicycle trails. Whether youre bringing a tent, R.V., or trailer, you'll find plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors. Were looking to complete the remedial investigation for the site, Charette said. This land that we call Wompatuck State Park was originally the property of the Indian chief Josiah Wompatuck. [7] Several old military buildings can be found on park property as well as an extensive network of abandoned railroad. This land that we call Wompatuck State Park was originally the property of the Wampanoag Tribe. The land at Wompatuck State Park was commonly used by the Massachusett tribe, led by Chief Josiah Wompatuck. I'm sorry to point out that this is incorrect but not far off. anyways you go in through the main gate and then the first parking area on the left is the trailhead to the old buildings that are left.. you gotta jump a fence now, I was there last week and they fixed the opening that had been there since i started going there.. just follow the old roads to get around and theres also some nice old rail lines to follow. Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. Scoop the poop! Its also great spot to begin a mountain bike ride through the park. The 1.5mile long Whitney Spur Rail Trail was constructed in 2003 on land owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation from the MBTA Cohasset Commuter . When World War II ended, this area reverted to maintenance status only. Accord Brook, which originates in Accord Pond, flows north along the parks border, from the Hingham-Norwell town line to S. Pleasant Street. A section of railroad, the Whitney Spur, once connected the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroads Greenbush Line. But the new rail trail is a trail to nowhere, the Friends say, because it is blocked by the wire fence around the closed area. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed. images and you can see alot has been knocked down over the years. Scattered throughout the property are over 100 decommissioned military bunkers, which were used to store ammunition. | 43 reviews of Wompatuck State Park "Wompatuck State Park is a huge (something like 4000 acre?) There are many rocky outcroppings and glacial erratic boulders throughout the park. Length: 3.9 mi Est. Find Wompatuck State Park camping, campsites, cabins, and other lodging options. The trails can be quite wet in the spring. In addition to being a popular camping location, Wompatuck is a favorite among hikers, bicyclists, kayakers, and those who like to fish. Save on popular stays in Accord, Hingham from NT$3,233. There are ponds for fishing, and hunting is permitted in season. it may still hold areas of intrest to the bunkergang. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. Book Plymouth County Weir River Farm hotels and get the lowest price guranteed by Trip.com! Wompatuck State Park spans 3,526 acres of forest, streams and ponds. Wompatuck State Park has six entrances. But if you wandered off the trail, you might have a blast of another kind.. Encompassing 3,500 acres (1540 in Hingham), this heavily wooded park is one of the towns greatest conservation assets. After leaving Uber amid scandals in 2017, Kalanick sailed around Tahiti in a $70 million There is one campground at Wompatuck State park with 260 sites. There are still bunkers all over the property, but most are locked up. Never enough time. Nightly rate: $30. Other Hingham entrances . Firewood must be purchased at the campground. From route 3 take exit 35 heading north on route 228. Trails in Wompatuck State Park consist of wide non-motorized paved roads, paved bike paths, and dirt foot trails. Fish commonly found in the 136-acre Aaron River Reservoir include bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch. Take a left and head towards NN12, Follow N12 which is a dirt trail until it merges with the Wompatuck Bikeway (You will cross one paved trail). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. This map is centered on the presently in-use state park camping area. Common species include: muskrat, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, skunk, painted turtle, bullfrog, coyote, deer, bobcat, fisher cat, red & grey fox, yellow spotted salamander, yellow spotted turtle, box turtle, woodcock, bass, pickerel and sunfish. One of Wompy's trails leads right into Whitney Thayer, and covering both areas on the same day would make for a very lengthy ride. Before that can happen, another restricted area no longer in federal hands must be restored to public use. hiking trails of abington. Wompatuck State Park, Hingham: See 119 reviews, articles, and 40 photos of Wompatuck State Park, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 20 attractions in Hingham. Wompy's trails can be wet in early spring. Pump Track multi-use trail ; Overview; Photos (1) Videos (0) Reports (8) Comments (0) Ride Logs; Leaderboard; Stats; Jumps; 3D Tour; Add / Edit. Please let us know how we can improve this page. 19ms. The Wompatuck Trail, accessible from the Main entrance in Hingham, is ADA accessible. Many of these bunkers have been backfilled, but some remain exposed. Today the parks munitions storage history survives in events such as the Landmine Classic bike race, which passes through an area once thought to have the explosive devices. Length: 1.4 miles Route Type: Trail (Narrow), Path (Medium), Road (Wide) The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Much of the park is undeveloped and is heavily wooded. You can also join our Abandoned States of America Facebook group and share any of the photos you have. Blue Spring is open seasonally, featuring water drawn directly from a natural aquifer. This land is within the region of the Massachuseuk (or Massachusett) Native American tribe. Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company. . There will be signs for Wompatuck State Park along the way. There are several old military buildings on the property, as well as an abandoned railroad. Camping at Wompatuck State Park is $17/night for Massachusetts residents and $54/night for non-residents. Good to see there's still something there. For mountain bikers, the park is home to one of the longest sections of switchbacked singletrack in the state. In addition to being open to the public for . Half the sites have electricity and half do not. Blue Spring was commercially bottled. It is a wonderful place to spend a weekend exploring. the pictures up here are amazing, but they dont do the place justice. Read more. This park is the site of the Burbank Boulder. I've worked in the entertainment industry for much of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! This boulder which balances itself at three points equally distant from each other, was left on the earths surface by glaciers. A rail spur known as the Whitney Spur formerly connected the Ammunition Depot to the Old Colony Railroad's Greenbush Line. The Aaron River finds its source within Wompatuck State Park and flows northeast to the Aaron River Reservoir. Since then, 725 acres have been added. Wompatuck State Park is located south of Boston in a small town called Hingham. View campsite map, availability, and reserve online with ReserveAmerica. The Braintree T (train/subway/ferry) station is about 20 min from the . Campers may choose from an extensive array of trails for biking, hiking, horseback riding, and ski touring. Explosives such as TNT-loaded depth charges, bombs, fuses, projectiles, and cartridges were produced and stored here. During the 1800s, the land was used by the local residents. Alternatively, MBTA operates a train from South Station to Nantasket Junction every 2 hours. It is fairly quiet with a significant amount of trails to explore. The materials disposed of consist of small arms ammunition, machine gun bullets, flares, incendiaries, irritants (gases), and grenades, Charette said. The area of the Leavitt Street entrance is characterized by Leavitt Street and the Whitney Spur Rail Trail. Norwell MA 02061, Phone: 781.659.8168 Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm. Wompatuck State Park is covered by the Cohasset, MA US Topo Map quadrant. I was able to follow the roads to the other area where there are more buildings. Wompatuck State Park Wompatuck State Park is a state-owned, public recreation area of about 3,500 acres in size located primarily in the town of Hingham with portions in the neighboring towns of Cohasset, Norwell, and Scituate, Massachusetts, in the United States. To use the map, click the drop down menu in the upper right corner of the map: Stop in the Visitor Center to see more. Excerpts taken from the composition created by Eagle Scout, Adam IgnatiusCarll, 1997. There are several old military buildings on the property, as well as an abandoned railroad. Both park users and officials look forward to a time when the burning grounds will be declared safe and the closed area will be open. The hiking trails at Ames Nowell State Park are plentiful. South Pleasant Street runs east from Main Street in Hingham to Union Street in Wompatuck State Park. Most buildings have had their roofs and windows removed, and are open to the elements. For information on the Wompatuck State Park Big Loop Trail, head to the AllTrails website. Some cool old bunkers (unfortunately some . 1665 Chief Josiah Wompatuck deeded the land to settlers. 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