Great Brook Farm State Park

Tucked into the rolling countryside of Carlisle in Middlesex County, Great Brook Farm State Park spreads across 909 acres of meadows, woodlands, and wetlands that feel worlds away from the Boston suburbs just 25 miles to the southeast. What sets this park apart is its working dairy farm — a rare feature among Massachusetts state parks — where visitors can watch cows graze open pastures and grab fresh ice cream from the farm stand during warmer months.

Over 20 miles of trails wind through the property, drawing cross-country skiers and snowshoers in winter and hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders the rest of the year. The Pine Point Loop offers an easy family-friendly walk through pine groves, while the Woodchuck Trail delivers a more rugged ride for mountain bikers navigating rocky terrain and root-laced singletrack. Birders will find productive habitat around the meadow edges and along Meadow Pond, where great blue herons and wood ducks are regular visitors.

The park does not operate a campground, so plan this as a day trip. Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the open-air tables near the farm buildings, and save room for a cone — the ice cream stand typically opens in spring and runs through early fall.

Visit in late September or early October for peak foliage against the farm’s pastoral backdrop, or come in January when fresh snow transforms the trail network into one of the best cross-country skiing destinations north of Boston.

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