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Hiking

Camp Nekon

Camp Nekon, Monks Hill Rd, Kingston, MA 02364, USA

781-585-0533

https://sites.google.com/view/kingstonconservation/camp-nekon

Owned By: Town of Kingston

This 193-acre forested parcel used to be a Girl Scout camp. Now it is owned by the Town of Kingston. The property contains numerous ponds, several trails and unpaved roadways, a DCR fire tower, and a small beach on Smelt Pond. Direct access to the Kingston State Forest.

Features

The Patuxet, members of the Wampanoag tribe, made their home in the area now known as Duxbury, Kingston and Plymouth. Numerous artifacts have been found throughout the region surrounding the Jones River. To learn more about our local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mashpee Wampanoag and the Herring Pond Wampanoag share information on their websites. 

This property used to be a Girl Scout camp (until 1975). Local scout troops may rent the camping area at Camp Nekon for no fee. Please make arrangements through the Kingston Recreation Department for a permit and a key.

According to The Old Coast Road from Boston to Plymouth by Agnes Edwards, Monk’s Hill, where Camp Nekon is located, was known in earlier times as Mont’s Hill Chase, referring to a hunt in England. Because it is the highest elevation in Kingston, a beacon was placed here during the American Revolution. Lighting the beacon signified an invasion.

Trail Description

The trails here are mostly dirt roads through a hilly pine forest. There are at least 2 miles of trails.

Habitats and Wildlife

The forest here is predominantly pine, oak, and maple, along with some pitch pine. The 44-acre Smelt Pond is located here, as well as a number of smaller ponds, including Rocky Pond, Turtle Hole, Wolf Pond, Mink Hole, Great Mink Hole, Pratts Pond, Little Pratts Pond, Smelt Pond, and Little Smelt Pond. Listen for wood frogs and spring peepers in the springtime.

Some of the fish commonly found in Smelt Pond include America eel, chain pickerel, catfish, and largemouth bass. The streams, ponds and swamps on this property flow to Smelt Brook, a tributary to the Jones River.

The Jones River finds its source at Silver Lake and other brooks and springs in Pembroke, Halifax and Kingston. It flows for 7.5 miles through Kingston, and drains into the Atlantic Ocean at Kingston Bay. Follow the Jones River Watershed Association for more information.

Camp Nekon, Monks Hill Rd, Kingston, MA 02364, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: No

Beach: Yes

Boat Launch: No

Lifeguards: No

Size: 193 acres

Hours: Dawn to dusk.

Parking: Limited on-site parking on Monks Hill Road. Look for the wooden property sign. Additional pedestrian access from Raboth Road and the Kingston State Forest.

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy, Medium

Facilities:

Informational kiosk. Picnic tables and benches in the camping area. Geocache location.

Dogs: Dogs must remain on leash. Scoop the poop!

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: No

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Smelt Brook (Jones River watershed)