Massasoit State Park
Pond
Middle Pond
Massasoit State Park is located in Massachusetts
Massasoit State Park
Massasoit State Park
Location in Massachusetts
Massasoit State Park is located in the United States
Massasoit State Park
Massasoit State Park
Massasoit State Park (the United States)
LocationTaunton, Massachusetts, United States
Coordinates41°52′04″N 70°59′24″W / 41.86778°N 70.99000°W / 41.86778; -70.99000[1]
Area1,207 acres (488 ha)[2]
Elevation39 ft (12 m)[1]
Administered byMassachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Massasoit State Park is a public recreation area located on the southeast side of the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, with some parklands spilling into the adjacent town of Lakeville. The state park encompasses more than 1200 heavily wooded acres that include six lakes and ponds (Lake Rico, Furnace Pond, King's Pond, Middle Pond, Little Bearhole Pond, and Big Bearhole Pond) and numerous cranberry bogs.[3]

Features

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Lake Rico

The park has an extensive trail system for walking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and equestrian use. A launch for non-motorized boats is located at the north end of Lake Rico. A fisherman's landing is found on Big Bearhole Pond. Hunting is available on a restricted basis.[3]

2008 lightning strike

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A lightning strike in 2008 disabled the park's underground electric system, resulting in the closure of much of the park.[4] Interior sections were reopened to vehicular traffic in 2015, with the reopening of the park's 126-site campground in remaining as a long-term goal, according to officials.[5] The park later reopened completely in 2018.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Middle Pond". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "2012 Acreage Listing". Department of Conservation and Recreation. April 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Massasoit State Park". Department of Conservation and Recreation. June 29, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  4. ^ Larocque, Marc (January 4, 2011). "Taunton's Massasoit State Park's main road gated until spring". Taunton Daily Gazette. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  5. ^ Larocque, Marc (July 8, 2015). "Taunton's Massasoit State Park finally reopens its gates". Enterprise News. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  6. ^ "Baker-Polito administration reopens Massasoit State Park campground". Department of Conservation and Recreation. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
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