Ellisville Harbor State Park

Ellisville Harbor State Park is a coastal nature reserve spanning roughly 100 acres with sandy beach, salt marsh, meadow grassland, and red pine forest. The landscape transitions between different environments, from wet marsh areas to drier wooded sections.

Native peoples hunted, fished, and gathered shellfish across this land for thousands of years before European colonization. The arrival of European settlers brought new structures and land use patterns that still remain visible today.

The land served as a vital resource area for indigenous peoples over thousands of years, supporting their way of life through natural abundance. A reconstructed colonial farmstead within the park reflects how European settlers later shaped use of the same territory.

A main trail starting from free parking takes visitors about 350 yards to the beach along a processed stone surface that is easy to walk on. This accessible route makes the park suitable for most visitors, regardless of their mobility level.

Harbor seals visit the shoreline in fall and winter to rest and hunt in the shallow waters. Endangered piping plovers use protected beach areas for nesting during spring months.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 1991

Website: http://mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/ellisville-harbor-state-park.html

GPS coordinates: 41.84495,-70.54172

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:06