Ravenswood Park
Ravenswood Park
4.5
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Explore a shrouded landscape of hemlock groves, a magnolia swamp, and other trees species where you'll find remnants Colonial habitation.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
63 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
18
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
MS06
Boston1,437 contributions
Jun 2020
There are 10 miles of paths and trails - far too much for one visit! It was very pleasant in the shade on a hot day. The trails are fairly narrow and uneven, so best to wear closed shoes. We took the Ledge Hill trail and were rewarded by views over Gloucester Harbor.
The one disadvantage is very limited parking - there are only about 10 spots.
The one disadvantage is very limited parking - there are only about 10 spots.
Written June 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick P
Maynard, MA122 contributions
May 2016
I have gone to this place for years, long before it was a Trustees' property, and have always loved the almost zen-like qualities of its trails wandering amongst the boulders. There are no huge sights within the park, it's just a beautiful place overall. There is a worthy overlook where you can view Eastern Point of Gloucester. Since the Trustees' have taken over, they converted what used to be a little chapel into a tiny but excellent interpretive center. Parking here can be a bit of a challenge when the tiny lot fills.
Written October 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NEThiker2013
Hartford, CT13 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
We hiked here on a lovely spring day and spent nearly 3 hours. The trails go through pine and oak woods with a wild magnolia swamp board walk, enormous glacial bolder fields, and around a pond and old quarry. Make sure you go into the visitor center and learn about the history of Magnolia and the wild magnolias from Ramona. She and her team have designed a warm family space where very young children can look through microscopes, visit Cleopatra the grey tree frog or climb up into
an indoor tree house. Please join Trustees of Reservations to help support critical habitat such as Ravenswood.
an indoor tree house. Please join Trustees of Reservations to help support critical habitat such as Ravenswood.
Written May 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tesseract68
Boston, MA49 contributions
Sep 2012 • Family
I agree with the previous reviews--this is a gem of a park! It's a lovely little spot that's great for a range of hikes that vary in difficulty. It's really quiet and well maintained, so it's a beautiful little escape, and admission is free. The park has an interesting history, as it was left behind by a hermit who had lived outdoors here ~100 years ago.
This is a great park for kids mostly because of the Quests! We were fortunate to learn about the Quests from another visitor, which is a set of laminated instructions with clues that take you to different marker points throughout the park, describing some of the geography, foliage, and history of the park along the way. At the end you come upon a treasure box where you can stamp your hand and sign your name in the log book. It turned our hike into a full-fledged adventure! The Quest instructions are at the park entrance in the box under the main map, but you can also download them off the Trustees of Reservations websites (Hermit's Haven Quest). Even if you don't do the Quest, it's easy to come up with a short and relatively easy path that's do-able for kids.
Overall, a lovely spot, and worth many returns!
This is a great park for kids mostly because of the Quests! We were fortunate to learn about the Quests from another visitor, which is a set of laminated instructions with clues that take you to different marker points throughout the park, describing some of the geography, foliage, and history of the park along the way. At the end you come upon a treasure box where you can stamp your hand and sign your name in the log book. It turned our hike into a full-fledged adventure! The Quest instructions are at the park entrance in the box under the main map, but you can also download them off the Trustees of Reservations websites (Hermit's Haven Quest). Even if you don't do the Quest, it's easy to come up with a short and relatively easy path that's do-able for kids.
Overall, a lovely spot, and worth many returns!
Written September 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dinsmoor1958
South Hamilton, MA21 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
I've been visiting Ravenswood for years and always love going back, even though it's nearly a half-hour driver for me. There are miles and miles of trails and each trail is unique. Many go through wetlands, where you can see all kinds of wildlife. Some climb up stony paths, including one with a great view of Gloucester Harbor. It's a great park not only for walking, but for bike riding, cross-country skiing, and dog walking.
Written April 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
artzero
312 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
We took our dog to Ravenswood Park over the weekend and enjoyed it. Instructions for dog-walking were really clear: dogs can walk off-leashed (amazing) except for when the dogs are in the parking lot and within 100 feet of the park entrance. It is also advised that dogs be leashed when there are other hikers around. I really appreciate the clarity of the instructions. There are also poop-bags and a trash can at the entrance for poop-disposal. Very thoughtful indeed. We will definitely return.
Written September 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moabmeadow
Boxford, MA347 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
There are two entrances to Ravenswood. GPS sent us to a small entrance with parking only for two cars. As soon as we stepped out of the car we could hear the call of the bullfrogs from a vernal pond just off the entrance. The mossy rocks and reflections in the pond made one think they were entering another world.
The park is 600 acres and has about 10 miles of carriage roads for easy walking. The park includes the Magnolia Swamp, The Ledge Hill Trail which is strewn with boulders covered in fern and moss and an overlook of Gloucester Harbor. Dogs are allowed here off leash.
It is a cool retreat on a hot summer day and in the winter, a great place to cross country ski and snowshoe.
The park is 600 acres and has about 10 miles of carriage roads for easy walking. The park includes the Magnolia Swamp, The Ledge Hill Trail which is strewn with boulders covered in fern and moss and an overlook of Gloucester Harbor. Dogs are allowed here off leash.
It is a cool retreat on a hot summer day and in the winter, a great place to cross country ski and snowshoe.
Written July 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Polkadot816
Boston, Massachusetts30 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
Ravenswood is a beautiful place to do a little hiking.. The main trails are wider and gravel, but once you get into the outer trails they become more rugged and a little more challenging. All the trails are well kept and in some areas where it gets a bit muddy they have wooden planks to help keep you out of the mud. At the entrance there is a learning building with bathrooms and maps available. We had a great time hiking about 5 miles, over a few hours. I would absolutely recommend taking the Buswell's View Trail and seeing the great view of Gloucester Habor.
Written July 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Magma5
Havelock105 contributions
Oct 2013 • Business
You can make several visits before you walk all the trails. We just had a couple of hours and hiked a few of the outer trails. Trails run from easy to moderate,
Your GPS may tell you that you have arrived when you have not. If coming from Gloucester, keep going straight and the entrance will be on your right. If coming from Manchester, the entrance may be on your left before the GPS tells you that you have arrived.
Your GPS may tell you that you have arrived when you have not. If coming from Gloucester, keep going straight and the entrance will be on your right. If coming from Manchester, the entrance may be on your left before the GPS tells you that you have arrived.
Written October 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
k_inertia
Gloucester, MA22 contributions
Jan 2013 • Business
If you decide to go to Ravenswood Park, keep in mind that there is limited parking. Otherwise, there a variety of trails to choose from. I PERSONALLY like the "Ridge Trail" because it takes you up on a ridge where you can overlook Gloucester and see Boston skyline. Just watch out for dog poop!
Written January 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the longest trail in park. (Miles)
Written September 28, 2018
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