State guide
When to catch Massachusettsthrough the year
The peaks we can name in Massachusetts each belong to a place, not the whole state. Migrating birds at Parker River: the latter half of May; Southbound shorebirds at Parker River: August.
When are you going?
Fall in Massachusetts
Also good in fall
- Assabet River RefugeLeaf color along the wetlands
- Fairsted (Olmsted NHS)Peak fall foliage, mid-October
- Great Meadows RefugeWhite-tailed deer rut, November
- Parker River RefugeCrimson glasswort in the salt marsh
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in Massachusetts
Also good in winter
- Parker River RefugeOwls: barred, snowy and short-eared
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after winter
“mid-October” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Spring in Massachusetts
Good in spring
- Fairsted (Olmsted NHS)Landscape at peak bloom, mid-May to mid-June
- Great Meadows RefugeSpring bird migration: tree swallows, black-and-white warblers and ring-necked ducks arrive (spring on the refuge bird list: March–May)
- Parker River RefugeSongbird and warbler migration
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after spring
“mid-October” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Summer in Massachusetts
Good in summer
- Fairsted (Olmsted NHS)Landscape at peak bloom, mid-May to mid-June
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after summer
“mid-October” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Places in Massachusetts
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Planning a Massachusetts trip
Towns to stay in
- Boston, MAFairsted (Olmsted NHS) · 6 mi
- Worcester, MAAssabet River Refuge · 20 mi
- Springfield, MAFort River Division · 15 mi
- New Bedford, MAMashpee Refuge · 24 mi
- Barnstable Town, MAMashpee Refuge · 8 mi
- Gloucester, MAParker River Refuge · 15 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Current park alerts (NPS)
- Fairsted (Olmsted NHS): Parking Lot Closure ↗
- Fairsted (Olmsted NHS): Construction ↗
Browse by season and event
- Fall foliage · 3 places hereFall foliage, everywhere →
- Winter wildlife · 1 place hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
Questions people ask
When do the leaves peak at Assabet River Refuge?
Usually mid-October, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service, when some 220 bird species also pass through.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are the trails hard at Assabet River Refuge?
No. The refuge has few hills, so all 15 miles of trail are easy walks with very little climbing.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there a fee at Fairsted (Olmsted NHS)?
No: there is no entrance or tour fee.Source: National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted NHS FAQs ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How long should I plan at Fairsted (Olmsted NHS)?
The Park Service suggests 1.5 to 2 hours for the tour and exhibits; ranger-led tours of the grounds and historic design office take about 30 minutes. The grounds are open every day, dawn to dusk.Source: National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted NHS FAQs ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When are the units open at Great Meadows Refuge?
Both the Concord Unit and the Sudbury Unit (Weir Hill) are open year round, sunrise to sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Meadows NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is the fall color here from trees at Parker River Refuge?
Mostly not: the show is the salt marsh, where glasswort turns bright crimson, usually mid to late October according to the Fish and Wildlife Service.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: New Hampshire · Connecticut · Vermont · New York
Massachusetts in pictures
How we know
- Sep 28Park ServiceUsual peak by refuge: early October at Aroostook, Nulhegan Basin and Missisquoi; mid-October at Moosehorn, Rachel Carson and Great Bay (marsh)Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServicePeak fall foliage in mid-October; visitor center locationSource (opens National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted NHS park data in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceSeasonal wildlife notes; the white-tailed deer rut is in November.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Meadows NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.