Pawtuckaway State Park
A ring dike landscape combines boulder fields, lake, marsh, and low mountains
Artwork inspired by Augustus Saint-Gaudens
A ring dike landscape combines boulder fields, lake, marsh, and low mountains. Glacial erratics, fire-tower views, paddling, camping, and wildlife habitats make the park geologically and recreationally varied. What distinguishes it locally is the close relationship among boulder field, Pawtuckaway Lake, and South Mountain tower, each carrying a different part of the story.
Choose either a boulder-and-summit hike or a lake day, because combining both can flatten the experience. Seasonal gates, busy beach parking, black bears, and confusing trail junctions reward advance mapping. The payoff comes from noticing how South Mountain tower changes the reading of Pawtuckaway Lake, especially after the main attraction has made its first impression.
- Geology
- Ring dike
- Feature
- Glacial boulders
- Activities
- Hiking and paddling
Quick guide
- Start with
- Choose either a boulder-and-summit hike or a lake day, because combining both can flatten the experience.
- Look closely at
- Notice how Pawtuckaway Lake changes the meaning of South Mountain tower rather than treating either as background.
Know before you go
- Start with
- Choose either a boulder-and-summit hike or a lake day, because combining both can flatten the experience.
- Look closely at
- Notice how Pawtuckaway Lake changes the meaning of South Mountain tower rather than treating either as background.
- Connect the story
- Glacial erratics, fire-tower views, paddling, camping, and wildlife habitats make the park geologically and recreationally varied.
- Plan around
- Review hours, admission, parking, and access together before planning Pawtuckaway State Park; each addresses a different practical constraint.
Good to know
Seasonal gates, busy beach parking, black bears, and confusing trail junctions reward advance mapping.
Notice these
- boulder field
- Pawtuckaway Lake
- South Mountain tower