United States
Massachusetts (MA)
Cape Ann
Rockport
Things to Do in Rockport
Halibut Point State Park

Halibut Point State Park, Rockport: Hours, Address, Halibut Point State Park Reviews: 4.5/5

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Halibut Point State Park

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Halibut Point State Park
4.5
734
#2 of 31 things to do in Rockport
State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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About
Scramble across ledges scarred by the granite industry and examine tide pools teeming with marine life.
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
34 within 3 miles
The Lobster Pool
429
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Seafood
Pigeon Cove Tavern
65
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Daily Grind‎
1
1.4 miCafe
Helmut's Strudel
453
2.1 mi$ • Bakeries • Cafe
Roy Moore Lobster Co
933
2.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Gluten Free Options
Bean & Leaf Cafe
270
2.1 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Top Dog
253
2.1 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast Food
My Place by the Sea
571
2 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Tuck's Candy
208
2.2 mi$ • Dessert
Roy Moore's Fish Shack Restaurant
691
2.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
66 within 6 miles
Shalin Liu Performance Center
233
2.1 miTheaters
Motif Number 1
370
2.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Bearskin Neck
775
2.3 miLookouts
The Paper House
139
1.1 miArchitectural Buildings
Wingaersheek Beach
312
Beaches
Cape Ann Museum
244
Art Museums • History Museums
Good Harbor Beach
704
Beaches
Fishermen's Memorial Monument
836
Monuments & Statues
Rockport Breakwater
112
2.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
Front Beach
138
1.9 miBeaches
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Popular mentions
4.5
734 reviews
Excellent
537
Very good
166
Average
24
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Nancy C
McDonough, GA31 contributions
Couldn't get to it!
Oct 2021
We specifically drove to Rockport to go to this State Park. When we got there, the road to the park was closed and there was no other way to get there. Very disappointed. It must have a been a one-time happening. So we drove around and saw other beautiful sites. Just wish we could have seen this.
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Joseph H
Beavercreek, OH1,165 contributions
Compare and Contrast MA and WI State Park Fees
Oct 2021
I'll start by admitting this is more a review of the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) than of Halibut Point State Park. My wife and I enjoyed visiting Walden Pond State Reservation - to include the $30 parking fee for non-MA residents. Some folks refer to MA as 'Taxachusetts,' despite 20 states having higher tax burdens than MA. For instance, WI has a higher tax burden than MA...a key variance is that WI spreads taxes evenly across property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes, while MA places most of the burden on property taxes. If I were an MA property owner, and thus paying the largest portion of state revenues, I would want something in return - an varying parking fees for MA vs non-MA residents would make sense, particularly since tourism represents a mere 4% of the entire MA economy. Charging MA residents $10 to park, and non-MA residents $30 to park, is a bit extreme...take note that at present time Halibut State Park only charges non-MA residents $20 to park. My wife and I have visited multiple state parks, and pay the non-MA rate at each park since MA doesn't offer non-MA residents the opportunity to purchase a park pass. Compare this to WI that offers WI residents a $28 annual state park pass, and allows non-WI residents to purchase a $38 annual state park pass...yes, that's annual (and tourism is only 3% of the WI economy). While only two examples, MA appears to take a special 'screwin' to tourists desiring to visit its state parks. Again, not so much a review of Halibut Point State Park but a reflection on MA DCR policy - one that I presume is based largely on the fact that MA has 885 residents per square mile compared to WI having 107 residents per square mile - WI thus has substantially more land to offer to tourists. Consider this an invitation to all MA residents to come and enjoy my home state's parks for a mere $38.
Written October 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
meditaeshun
Boise, ID6 contributions
Beautiful
Oct 2021
Well maintained trails and a beautiful park. Weather was perfect in early October and was a nice walk from Bearskin Neck up to the park. Bring bug spray
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
travelbug
Glastonbury, CT34 contributions
Beautiful, peaceful place.
Sep 2021 • Friends
Beautiful place to visit. Take trail to the water and you will not be disappointed. Nice trails around preserve. Peaceful. Can bring dogs on leash. I like that it’s not isolated. Parking is $20 for out of state. Can pay at kiosk. Worth it if you plan to spend a couple of hours. Before you begin your walk, use porta-potty in parking lot. There is another one located on the trail leading back to the lot which we didn’t find til we were ready to leave.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Christine L
6 contributions
One of a kind State Park
Sep 2021
This is a beautiful park. There is a self guided tour that talks about the granite history on cape ann. newly renovated visitors center is wonderful. saw an owl presentation right before covid closed everything. great place for a picnic and walk. once a month there is a guided birding tour as well.
Written September 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RandyKro
Houston12 contributions
Great place for a hike with your dog
Jul 2021
This is a great place for a short hike with wide trails, scenic vistas and a very impressive abandoned quarry. It's also one of the few places in Rockport where dogs are welcome.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Douglas M
Collingswood, NJ118 contributions
Ocean Rocks and a former quarry
Jul 2021
When we arrived at Halibut Point on a foggy afternoon, we were fortunate. Construction on a new parking area was proceeding apace, and it was not crowded. A leisurely walk leads down to Halibut Point’s famous ocean front rocks(a longer path, not taken) leads down to the ocean front. Much of the remainder is taken up by a large flooded quarry that produced much of the granite used in the area. Iron fittings on the rocks are reminders of the technology used to extract the granite. The visitor center renovation was not complete so it was not open. Despite that, it is a lovely park, well worth a visit.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Linda B
Moline, IL19 contributions
NO PARKING
Jun 2021
I am giving this 1 star because of the parking situation. There is NO place to park. If you park down the road left of the park here sign --> you will get a $30 parking citation.

Otherwise (except for parking), I would rate the park 4 stars. There is a shoreline trail and a quarry loop trail. The bathrooms were clean but the visitor center/museum was closed. On a clear day, at the point you can see the shoreline of New Hampshire and Maine.

Some day when they do have parking this will be a great place to visit.
Written July 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michelle M
Belchertown, MA121 contributions
Lovely park
Jun 2021
Lovely park with great ocean views and rock quarry. Bathrooms are open and very clean. Renovations taking place - parking area was just re-done.
Written June 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
WellTraveled3
Lexington, MA758 contributions
Best State Park For a Hike on Ocean Ledges
Oct 2020 • Couples
Halibut State Park is small, with limited parking for $5 per day, but well worth planning a visit to hike the beautiful granite ledges by the ocean.

Try to arrive early or in the off season to get a parking spot.

There is a granite quarry with a small building there to see as well. Lots of birds, seals and other wildlife as well.
Written October 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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