Clear Pond Conservation Area - North and South Rivers Watershed Association

16 Surrey Dr, Plymouth, MA 02360, USA

Plymouth Parks & Forestry: 508-830-4162, ext. 12116

Owned By: Town of Plymouth

Located in West Plymouth, the 12-acre Clear Pond Conservation Area features a wide, flat 0.65-mile trail around a former cranberry bog, plus views of Clear Pond. It’s a great spot for birding! Also suitable for cross-country skiing after you pass the stairs.

Hunting is allowed, in season, by licensed persons in compliance with Massachusetts law. Please be sure to understand state and local hunting guidelines before proceeding. Non-hunters, be mindful of hunting seasons, and wear bright orange if you’re entering the property during those times. Hunting is not permitted on Sundays.

Features

According to the The Plymouth Trail Guide, in pre-colonial times, a battle took place here between the Pokanokets (members of the Wampanoag Nation) and a war party of Narragansetts. After the Narragansetts were defeated, their remains were throw into the pond. In earlier times, the pond was named Narragansett Pond. A boggy wetland nearby retains the name.

Please bear in mind that Native American cultures often favor oral histories to written ones. Much of what’s recorded about the history of the South Shore is from the perspective of European settlers. It’s not the whole story. To learn more about local tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. This land is within the region of the Wampanoag. The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and the Herring Pond Wampanoag share information on their websites.

Trail Description

The total trail length is 0.65 miles. From the roadside parking area, walk past the property sign, and down the steps to the water’s edge. Following the trail arrows, turn right, and enjoy another quick glimpse of Clear Pond. Continue on the trail and you will soon arrive at a loop that extends all the way around a freshwater meadow/retired cranberry bog. Look for the flat concrete bridge, which serves as a convenient starting/ending point for the loop. It’s a pleasant, quiet walk, and a great place to spot wildlife.

Habitats and Wildlife

The trail is bordered with oak, maple, pitch pine, and white pine trees … quite a number of very young pines which create a tunnel-like effect in one section! The retired cranberry bog at the center is slowly reverting to its natural state. Look for milkweed, bayberry, cattail, raspberry and blueberry growing among more-typical bog flora. The Plymouth Trail Guide recommends visiting at dusk, when wildlife is especially active.

The waters on this property flow south through Clear Pond and Fresh Meadow Pond, and eventually into South Meadow Brook, which joins with Rocky Meadow Brook in South Carver to form the Weweantic River. The Weweantic River flows for 17 miles through Carver, Middleborough and Rochester, and drains into Buzzards Bay in Wareham.