Recreation

Sandy Neck Light sits on rugged terrain, between six miles of sand and the vast ocean. Now privately owned, it is best viewed from a whale-watch cruise. 

Two beacons have watched the remote spot over the years. The first was built in 1826 and replaced in 1857, with a keeper’s house added in 1880. The icy winters were especially dangerous and lighthouse keeper Thomas Baxter died when his leg got stuck in ice. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1931 and the lantern top was later removed.

This 97-acre parcel with 1.5 miles of trails sits in the southwest corner of Cotuit village and is lined with huckleberry, teaberry and an abandoned cranberry bog while offering premiere views of Popponesset Bay and Pinquickset Cove. Parking is off Santuit Road and a dirt road called The Lane.

This 94-acre parcel wraps around Hathaways Pond North and partly around Hathaways Pond South, offering soothing water views amid some challenging walking slopes. The north pond is a town beach in the summer, so parking has a fee in July and Aug. or requires a resident beach sticker.

This 37-acre site features exceptional views of Long Pond, with two observation decks and two miles of trails.

This 180-acre parcel features scrub oak, American holly and white pine. Parking is off Old Jail Lane.

This massive 1,114-acre parcel runs from the Sandwich border to Service Road and Rte. 149 and has 15 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Walk across Rte. 149 to the 78-acre Otis Atwood Conservation Area.

Whelan Conservation Area