Under Two Hours From Boston Is New England's Secluded State Forest With Beach Beauty, Fishing, And Boating

If you're spending time in eastern Massachusetts and like to be outside, Myles Standish State Forest feels like a gift. These woods are thick and sizable, covering 12,400 acres in total. Miles of paved trails snake through the forest, rising and falling with the hills, making it a great place for casual cyclists bored with rail trails. And perhaps most importantly, Myles Standish contains three different ponds that everyday visitors can swim, boat, and fish in.

Why is this a gift? Because all this natural wonder is pretty close to other familiar points in the Bay State. Though the forest might feel incredibly remote, it's less than two hours from Boston, and closer to one hour when traffic is merciful. You can easily drive here from Cape Cod or Plymouth – if you're already on a Massachusetts road trip along the coast in search of seaside New England towns, Myles Standish State Forest makes for an easy detour. Several paved roads run through the park, so boaters can haul in their (non-motorized) watercraft and get them into the ponds without much effort. This is the largest public open space in Southeastern Massachusetts, and thanks to a wealth of local campsites, you can stay the night here as well, giving you ample opportunities to explore everything this sprawling state forest has to offer.

The easiest way to enjoy the water within Myles Standish State Forest is to hit the beach at College Pond. Nearly the entire body of water is ringed with sand, and you'll enjoy nice views out across the water into the surrounding forest. You can wade in the shallow waters, lay out a towel for sunning, or hang out at one of the many tree-shaded picnic tables. College Pond is the largest of the state forest's established swimming areas, but Barrett's Pond and Fearing Pond both have modest beaches, refreshing waters, and reasonable crowds.

Incredibly, this state forest has 58 ponds in total, which vary in size and shape. Each one is a "kettle pond," formed by melted glacial ice and disconnected from any source of running water. Many of these oversized puddles are calm places to paddle a vessel, be it canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board. With a valid license, you're welcome to cast a reel for some freshwater fishing as well, either from the shore or inside your boat. Fearing Pond is a standout for anglers, with its healthy population of trout, bass, sunfish, and perch. Do note, however, that water levels at these ponds can fluctuate, as they're not fed by rivers and depend heavily on rainfall and groundwater.

Myles Standish is also beloved for its land-based activities. You can hike 13 miles of trails, and most are bicycle-ready. This four-season forest is well suited to birders, skiers, snowmobilers, and even horseback riders. You could easily add Myles Standish to a list of Massachusetts' best stops sandwiched between Boston and Cape Cod.

The only expedient way to get to Myles Standish State Forest is to drive, especially if you plan to bring a boat or bicycles. There's no mass transit option at all, so if you're flying in from far away, consider picking up a rental car. There's also nowhere close by to rent a kayak or canoe, so you're basically expected to haul in your own equipment. If you're determined to get out on the water but don't have your own watercraft, poking around Boston and perusing its many rental companies might be your best (and only) option.

Visitors should be aware of the fee structure: Hanging out in the state forest is free, as are beach visits, yet parking near the ponds will cost $8 (per day) for Massachusetts residents and a whopping $30 for out-of-staters. This fee is only collected between May and September; parking here is free from fall through spring. Not surprisingly, camping costs extra. Residents pay $17 per night for a basic site, while others pay $54 per night, plus a small reservation fee. Myles Standish offers around 400 campsites, many of which are outfitted for both tents and RVs, but spaces can still get competitive during the summer months.

If you're just heading to Myles Standish State Forest for a day trip and are hoping to camp closer to the city, check out Blue Hills Reservation, a tranquil park escape with camping, scenic views, and trails that's just south of Boston. But if you're hoping to explore as much of the 12,400-acre forest as possible, it's not a bad idea to snag a campsite.