About Hamlin Reservation

This former coastal farmland now welcomes visitors to a broad salt marsh and a dike path that leads to a loop trail around Eagle Island.

What makes Hamlin Reservation a special place?
We think it's the gently rolling fields and marsh meadows, where bobolinks and small mammals inhabit former farmland. A historic dike once connected Eagle Island to the mainland so livestock could graze the island’s pastures. Today you can follow a causeway to find the island covered by a white pine, oak, and hickory forest. A short loop trail circles the island, revealing the remnants of stone walls that were built along its perimeter.

The back side of the island overlooks extensive open marsh, drained by Labor-in-Vain Creek. Here you’ll find a remote landscape isolated from the modern world. Watch wading birds such as glossy ibis and snowy and American egrets hunt for fish in this, one of the least disturbed parts of the entire 25,000-acre Great Marsh.

Trails
1-mile loop trail; moderate walking.

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of ½ hour.

Regulations & Advisories

• Dogs are not allowed.
  
  
• Seasonal hunting (deer only) is permitted only as part of a deer management program administered by The Trustees of Reservations. Contact The Trustees' Northeast Regional Ecologist for details. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties.

Directions

Argilla Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
Telephone: 978.356.4351
E-mail: neregion@ttor.org

Latitude: 42.6663
Longitude: -70.8117

Get directions on Google Maps. 

From Rt. 128 Exit 20A, follow Rt. 1A North for 8 mi. to Ipswich. Turn right onto Rt. 133 East and follow for 1.5 mi. Turn left onto Northgate Rd. and follow for 0.5 mi. Turn left onto Argilla Rd. and follow for 0.2 mi. to entrance and parking (10 cars) on right.

Admission

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of ½ hour.

Admission
FREE to all.

Property History

Property Acquisition History
Bequest of Octavia Hamlin in 1993.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

One-time Volunteer Opportunities

Conservation and Stewardship

Management Planning for Our Properties
 


Since 1891, The Trustees of Reservations have worked to protect special places in Massachusetts and maintain them to the highest standards. To ensure these standards are met, a program of careful planning and sound management is essential. Comprehensive property management plans are created for each reservation and are completely updated approximately every ten years. We often work with volunteers, property users, and members of the community to carry out this planning, which typically involves several steps:
 


• Describing in detail the site’s natural, scenic, and historical resources; identifying management issues related to the protection of those resources. 

• Describing how visitors use the property; outlining the opportunities that the property provides for people to become involved in the work of conservation and caring for their community.

• Developing a detailed list of management recommendations, a work plan, and a description of financial needs for implementing the actions.

• Developing a prescribed routine management program for the reservation that will guide staff work plans, volunteer involvement, and the allocation of human and financial resources.


View Hamlin Reservation management plan.

Maps and Resources

Printed trail maps are distributed free from bulletin board in parking areas. Please understand that supplies periodically run out. We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.

Planning Your Visit

Community Links
Ipswich Online

Before You Go
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.

Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:

• Protect wildlife and plants.
• Guard against all risk of fire.
• Help keep air and water clean.
• Carry out what you carry in.
• Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
• Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
• Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
• Enjoy and share the landscape with others.

Click on links below for further visitor information:

Before Setting Out

Enjoying Trustees Reservations

Safety

About Hunting on Trustees of Reservations Land

Tell Us What You Think

We’d love to hear about your visit! Here are three easy ways to let us know what you think:

1. Take our visitor survey. If you have a question for us, you can ask us in the survey and we’ll get back to you.


2. Post a comment about your visit on our Facebook page.


3. Share your experiences with other visitors on our website. Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll post your comment right here on this page.

Submitted by Clay on: August 12, 2010

Very nice property; ideal length for a lunchtime walk, lovely marsh views, and we really appreciated how well the trail was maintained, with fallen trees cut and moved. Thanks.

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