The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary - Topsfield - Massachusetts - New England


	FreshAir Homepage

	New England

	Hiking
	Mountaineering
	Paddling
	Walking
	Relaxing
	Camping
	Biking
	For Families

	Mountains
	By the Sea
	Countryside

-In & Around Boston Search by duration

	A Few Hours
	Half Day
	Full Day
	Weekend/Overnight


	The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary


Hiking shoes		Backpack
Sunglasses		Windproof/ waterproof jacket
Snacks		Water
Food		Hat (in summer)

Directions

From Boston, take Route 95 North

Take exit 50 for Route 1 North

At the lights, turn right on Route 97

After less than a mile, take second left on

Perkins Row (small sign for the sanctuary)

Entrance is on the right (large sign and

gate)

Good to know in advance

Trail map available at the visitor center; also

available online here

Closed on Mondays, except on holidays

Open year-round from 8 am to sunset (8 pm

in summer)

Office hours: 9 am-5 pm (May-October),

10 am-4 pm (November-April)

Restrooms and water at the visitor center

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins

Row, Topsfield MA 01983, (978) 887-9264

Etiquette

No dogs

No biking

Overall rating:


	Difficulty:		3/5

	Time from Boston:		1 hour

	Duration:		Full day

	Cost:		$4

	Main activity:		Hiking

	What do our ratings mean?

E-mail this page to a friend

Have a question about this destination?

Owing to the sheer size of the sanctuary, you are unlikely to meet many people on the trails; the Ipswich river crosses the southern part of the sanctuary, and Mass Audubon members can rent canoes to explore the marshes.

The hike presented here is just one of the many you can do using the extensive trail network that crisscrosses the Sanctuary. The route described here takes you to the northern reaches of the Sanctuary, and is one of the longest in the area. You can still extend it through additional loops in the north and south using the map available at the office. This hike is essentially flat and on good trails, making it suitable for all-terrain strollers.

Trails are well marked, and white blazes signal trails leading you back to the visitor center.

Here are the detailed directions:
	From the office, go the trailhead at the meadow’s edge behind the red buildings, and take right onto Innermost Trail
	Follow signs for Innermost Trail at the next intersections, and take the boardwalks over the marshes
	At the end of the boardwalk, take right on Waterfowl Pond trail (sign), then left at the stone bridge
	Right before the bridge, turn right to take another boardwalk on Averill’s Island loop, which will lead you around Hassocky Meadow on your left
	When you reach the other side of the meadow, follow sign for White Pine loop on the left
	At the next intersection, follow sign for Hassocky Meadow trail, which leads you back to the stone bridge
	After crossing the bridge, continue straight on Stone Bridge Trail, briefly becoming Drumlin Trail
	Take left on Bradstreet Lane, which brings you back to the office and the parking lot

Depending on your pace, allow 2 to 3 hours for the loop.
The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The entrance fee is $4 per person for non-members, $3 for children (3-12) and seniors. Entrance is free for Mass. Audubon members. The annual membership fee is $50 for a family ($40 for individuals) and we suggest to take one, considering how many sanctuaries and other outdoor areas it allows you to visit for free.