birding
hiking
nature trips
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It was cool to see all the bunkers but the bugs were literally out of control. I would recommend going when some bugs have died for the season...
The visitor center is now, and after hiking this I would not recommend it for others. Not a lot to see, and tons of moths along the trail.
There's much more than 3.7 miles of trails here (I regularly do 4.5-8 mile loops here) AND you can connect with other nearby trail systems. Great place for short or long easy hikes/walks, bird watching, bike rides, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, hunting, fishing, and looking for tracks. Most trails are either flat dirt trails, partially paved old roads, or you can just walk the sidewalk if you have strollers or unsteady-when-standing individuals with you.
ARNWR was once a part of Fort Devens/Maynard ordinance depot and the historic ammo bunkers are still standing. The visitor center is open from 10a-4pm on weekends and is a great place to check out (especially with kids)!
Fair warnings:
This is a great find for locals & new hikers/outdoor enthusiasts BUT if you're looking for a physical challenge, you won't find it here.
The refuge boasts a large wetland and while this is ideal for wildlife viewing, during the summer it can get VERY buggy on the trails.
Dogs are not allowed on the refuge.
We loved this, great visitor center (where we starred)!beautiful lake, interesting military structures, we extended our walk and went to the river and loved what we saw- the rail trail, pretty bridge over the river and some side marshes. The last half of the walk was nondescript but wrapped up a great 3 hour walk
To be honest trails are flat and fairly boring . The main trail is paved . I think would be a better biking trail than hiking trail . Several old ammo bunkers on trails . Putter Pond is nice but mainly uninteresting.
Great trails, beautiful foliage views. Several raptors, waterfowl, warblers.
Great walk. flat and shaded
The loop is one of the most unique trails I've hiked. There are 7 or 8 massive concrete bunkers along the trail giving it an interesting historical element. There is a little side trail that takes you to a beautiful lake as well. The hiking is very easy and good for all levels of experience. Definitely add this to the to-do list.
9/1/17 Harry's Trail -> Towee -> Petapawag -> Powerline Trail -> Visitor Center lot. Nice walk/hike. Very few bugs.
Pretty trail, wide and flat looping around ponds/marsh. Saw two egrets, but the bugs were really too awful to enjoy the trail on a day early August.
Pleasant, very easy walk mostly on old dirt/gravel roads through varied forest and wetlands. Along the way you'll pass over a dozen Army ammunition bunkers from World War II. Take the short Kingfisher Trail to a beautiful pond.
half dirt, half road, if you're adventurous there is an abandoned air force base about 500 feet northwest of the where it says Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge on the map (its right in that little bend that looks like a nose in the Patrol Path), and its pretty cool. Closer walk to base if you park on the northwest side in Maynard and walk in southeast or if you want the fun river and woods paths you park in Subury at the 1st (for road/woods path and 2nd parkinglot (further in) (if you want more woods and some swamp/lake paths.)
Beautiful with varied habitats. Saw sharp shinned hawk, buffleheads, and a heron rookery.
Nice trails with intersections well marked but oddly none of the maps says "you are here" and provided paper maps are unreadable.
nice wide flat trail. peaceful.
Peaceful hike, enjoyable paths, clean, quiet, very relaxing.
Stay away, I'd like to keep it for myself.
It's was a great flat hike. Wide trails, marked well, hard to get lost. I did 7 miles, enjoyed the wildlife and peace. Next time I will bike it!
It was an easy hike. I did a 6.2 mile loop. Which pretty much covered all the hiking trails in the park. Some of the sceneries along the trail were beautiful.
nice area for turtles, fish, and chipmunks
Good
Soooooo many mosquitoes
I really like this place as it's one of the few spots within reasonable driving distance from the city where you can't hear any roads or highways. There are plenty of trails and a lake. You can make your hike anywhere from 2 to 10+ miles long. Keep in mind that the northern section (north of White Pond Road) is closed to hiking.
The trails are wide and mountain biking is allowed on most. There's plenty of wildlife to be seen if you stay still for a few minutes. There are 50 munitions bunker dating to WWII present in the refuge. Some may find these a bit creepy, especially on an overcast day, but I think they're a surreal glimpse into history.