Maudslay State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Maudslay State Park is a 480-acre park located in Newburyport, Massachusetts.


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Summary

The park offers a variety of activities for visitors, including hiking, bird watching, picnicking, and fishing. The park is named after the Moseley family, who owned the property for over 200 years.

One of the main attractions of Maudslay State Park is the Maudslay Arts Center, which hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, plays, and art exhibits. The park is also home to the Maudslay State Park Trail System, which offers over 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.

In addition to its recreational opportunities, Maudslay State Park has several points of historical interest. The park is home to the Maudslay State Park Gardens, which were designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The gardens feature a variety of plants and flowers, as well as several water features.

Other historical attractions in the park include the Maudslay State Park Greenhouse, which dates back to the early 20th century, and the Maudslay State Park Powder House, which was used to store explosives during World War II.

The best time of year to visit Maudslay State Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities for visitors in all seasons.

Overall, Maudslay State Park is a beautiful and historic park that offers something for everyone. Whether you're interested in hiking, bird watching, or learning about the area's history, the park is definitely worth a visit.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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