Halibut Point State Park — Attraction in Rockport

Halibut Point is Ia protected area on the border of Rockport and Gloucester (Gloss-ter) with an old granite quarry, some trails through the woods, and a beautiful craggy shore line (no beach, just rocks and cliffs--and no swimming). It's breath-taking and reminds you how much fun it is to hike around outside and enjoy the beauty surrounding us. On a clear day you can see Crane Beach in Ipswich, Mount Agamenticus in Maine and the Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire.

Plan to spend a couple hours hiking around--particularly if you have kids because there are so many spots to explore or play. But you can make this hike as long or as short as you want. It's dog friendly but dogs should be leashed.

There are places to stop and take photos on the cliffs by the sea, but there's also a quarry to hike around, little ponds to explore, side trails that take you into the woods to little clearings that are ripe for kids imaginations and dogs noses. There are wildflowers, tide pools, little plaques with historical information.

The trails are pretty flat, but there are rocky areas where you can climb around. Depending on the weather there may be some mud puddles to avoid.

When to visit: I recommend going to Halibut Point in the spring or fall on a nice day, not too hot, not too cold (it is on the Ocean, so it's usually a few degrees warmer, but also pretty windy, particularly since it's on the point of Cape Ann).

What to bring: Plan to bring water, snacks (carry in/carry out), sunscreen, a sweatshirt in case it's chilly, binoculars if you like birds, a camera because it's so beautiful. Keep an extra set of socks or shoes in the car in case you accidentally step in a puddle.

Getting there: Halibut Point is not 30 minutes outside of Boston... it's more like 1:15/1:30... But it is absolutely worth it.

Info: Daily Parking Fee: $5 MA Vehicle, $6 non-MA Vehicle, though if capacity is reached they may close the parking lot until people leave. The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset for day use only. There are tours during the peak season (Memorial Day-Columbus day) on Saturdays. There are bathrooms Trash is carry...

Beautiful small park with some ocean shoreline and an old quarry now filled with water, it's quite pretty. Has walking/hiking trails. Nothing very difficult or very long, 1.6 mi loop on main trail. Plenty of easy walks available, flat dirt roads and paths and some trails with rocky areas. You can easily stay on flat easy trails if you want. Some areas have some rocks and are slightly more challenging than the flat trails. But nothing difficult or steep by any means. I walk here every day. Very strict about leashing dogs here because it's a state park and because a wildlife reserve is attached to one side of the property. But leashed dogs are welcome! Has a visitor center with rest rooms and porta potties in parking lot. Good size free parking lot in winter, I think $5 in summer. Several handicap parking spots. The parking lot is across the road from the entrance, you then walk into the park down a flat dirt road. You can't drive directly into this park. This park has gigantic quarry rocks all along the ocean shoreline, like car & truck size rocks. It is definitely hazardous for those who have balance or walking issues and small kids. But this is only directly along the shoreline and easy to avoid. If your looking for a beach to hang out on or go swimming this is definitely not for you. No swimming or beach. This state park is for hiking/walking, picnicking, natural coastal plants, wildlife and enjoying nature. Great photo opportunities, especially at sunset. I've seen deer here. Some picnic tables are available for sitting/picnics, but none that are right on the water or ocean view. They are in the more wooded areas above shoreline and around visitor center. You need to pack in picnic supplies down a dirt road from the parking lot, no cars allowed inside park. Only officials or rangers. They're above in the wooded areas. Plenty of open...

Absolutely beautiful park. Gravel paved trail that is easy to maneuver with a stroller. I used the bugaboo butterfly which is a light urban travel stroller. Some loose gravel area towards the ocean front is harder but doable. Bathroom and porta potty were both clean and easy to use. If you go around low tide, there are many shallow tidal pool on the rocky ocean front that was amazing for babies to splash in it. Be careful to check if there are mussels grown under the seaweed, those are sharp, pick other ones. However, the trip there happened to be one of the weirdest human interaction case I had in state parks of New England area. I'm used to the friendly hi or a little nod as passing by other visitors. Out of over 50 people we encountered on the trail that day, only 2 shared a friendly nod with us. To the point I had to use my phone's front camera to check if there's anything on my face that made people feel weird to make eye contact with me. Nope. Just simply ignoring our nod/hi when we pass by each other on the trail lol. Then back to the parking lot, there were a couple picking up rocks on around the lot to knock on a pickup truck window. I first heard loud banging sounds thought there was nearby constructions. But no, rocks to break window. They said it's their truck and eventually some other gentleman lend over a golf club so the window finally broke and the couple squeezed in. Fun...