Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary & Hemlock Gorge Reservation (Massachusetts)
During a three-day weekend in October, I spent a few hours at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick and Hemlock Gorge Reservation in Needham/Newton. Due to their close proximity to Boston, both are great choices if you’re someone that lives in the area that wants to get out in nature but doesn’t want to make the drive to New Hampshire.
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary (Natick, MA)
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary was a new place for me. I actually came across it on the Only In Your State website, which is a great resource for finding new places to see and new things to do. Part of Mass Audubon, the sanctuary features 9 miles of trails so there is plenty to explore. Plus, there is a lot of wildlife including ducks, birds, turtles, beavers, otters, and many more. I spent the majority of my time here walking the All Persons Trail and the Marsh Trail. The former features a boardwalk that cuts through the marsh while the latter is made up of various ponds, streams, marshes, and waterfalls.
Hemlock Gorge Reservation (Needham/Newton, MA)
After spending a few hours at Broadmoor, I drove over to Hemlock Gorge Reservation, which is along the banks of the Charles River. I previously visited here in June and loved it, so it was nice to make a return trip. My favorite things about this area are the waterfall and Echo Bridge. The bridge offered great views of the river and the surrounding areas.
