Hubbell Preserve

121 Indian Trail, Scituate, MA 02066, USA

Scituate Conservation: (781) 545-8721

Owned By: Town of Scituate

• Directions
• Trail Map

Located in a quiet corner of North Scituate, the Hubbell Preserve features trails through the woods and across moss-covered outcroppings of rock, with several small stream crossings. It is a lovely place to explore! Please note that the trails here are narrow, uneven, and sometimes hilly or steep.

HUNTING: 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

At Hubbell, there is so much variety within a relatively small area! Granite outcroppings and glacial erratic boulders provide a fascinating contrast to the wetland and forest areas. Other features include old stone walls and small streams.

The property is named for Richard Hubbell, who donated a portion of the land to the Town of Scituate in the 1960s. Sixteen additional acres were purchased more recently, for conservation. The location — and in fact the entire neighborhood around the street known now as Indian Trail — was in earlier times a summer encampment for Native American tribes.

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites. 

Trail Description

A single trail of approx 0.7 miles in length traverses this property. Toward the northern entrance there is a very small loop. The trail is narrow, and at times either root-covered, rocky, or steep. There are three stream crossings. Walking with a friend, or a walking stick, is recommended. This is a beautiful and varied property, well worth exploring in all seasons.

Habitats and Wildlife

Beginning from the Indian Road entrance, the trail extends through an oak and hickory forest, past moss-covered granite outcroppings, and alongside a wetland containing tupelo, maple and birch. The trail proceeds uphill (some sections are steep) into a pine-oak-hickory forest, with some holly, beech, and cedar and plenty of greenbrier. On the other side of the hill are three stream crossings and a beautiful grove of beech trees.

Some of the avian species commonly seen here include nuthatches, chickadees, woodpeckers, and warblers, plus hawks and owls. Look for deer in the dense wetlands, red squirrels in the trees, and amphibians in the stone walls.