Dighton Rock State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Lane Field Boyden Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Dighton Rock State Park is located in Berkley, Massachusetts, along the Taunton River.
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Summary
It is a small park that covers only 85 acres, but it is rich in history and culture. Many visitors come to see the mysterious Dighton Rock, a 40-ton boulder that has been inscribed with strange symbols that have yet to be fully deciphered.
Aside from the Dighton Rock, the park also offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities for fishing and boating. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the park is bustling with activity.
The Dighton Rock is a major attraction at the park. The rock has been inscribed with petroglyphs, or rock carvings, that have been attributed to various Native American tribes, as well as Portuguese explorers. The rock has been the subject of much speculation and controversy over the years, with many theories about its origin and meaning.
In addition to the rock, the park also offers a small museum that provides information about the history and culture of the region, as well as the park itself. Visitors can learn about the geology, flora, and fauna of the area, as well as the human history that has shaped the landscape.
Overall, Dighton Rock State Park is a unique and fascinating destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you are interested in history, nature, or outdoor recreation, this park has it all. So, if you are looking for a fun and educational day trip in Massachusetts, be sure to check out Dighton Rock State Park.
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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.
Related References
Lane Field
Boyden Park
Weir Park
Freetown State Forest
Mill River