Demarest Lloyd State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Demarest Lloyd State Park is a peaceful and scenic park located in the town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
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Summary
It is situated on the west side of Buzzards Bay and offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. The park is named after Demarest Lloyd, a former owner of the property who donated it to the state in 1969.
One of the main reasons to visit Demarest Lloyd State Park is for its beautiful beach. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. There are also several hiking trails that wind through the park’s forests and marshes, providing visitors with opportunities to observe local wildlife, including migratory birds.
Other points of interest at the park include a large playground for children, a fishing pier, and a boat ramp for those looking to explore the bay by kayak or paddleboard. The park also has several picnic areas equipped with charcoal grills and tables, making it a great spot for a family barbecue.
Interesting facts about Demarest Lloyd State Park include that it is home to one of the largest holly groves in Massachusetts. The park also contains a large salt marsh, which serves as an important habitat for many species of plants and animals.
The best time of year to visit Demarest Lloyd State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the beach is open for swimming. However, the park is open year-round and is a popular spot for hiking and birdwatching in the fall and winter months.
Overall, Demarest Lloyd State Park is a beautiful and peaceful destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking to relax on the beach, explore the local wildlife, or enjoy a family picnic, this park is definitely worth a visit.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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