Copicut Woods
Fall River, MA
516 acres
south-of-boston
Bird Watching Cross-country skiing/Snowshoeing Hunting Mountain Biking Dog Walking Walking/Hiking (Easy) Picnicking Scenic Vista Historic House or Structure

About Copicut Woods

A gateway to the 13,600-acre Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, Copicut Woods boasts upland forests, wetlands and waterways, and remnants of a vibrant agricultural past.

What makes Copicut Woods a special place?
This 516-acre property is both a prime destination and the southern gateway to the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve. Copicut introduces nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to an entire regional ecosystem. Experience forests, streams, and cedar swamps, amid an array of flora and fauna, from deer and coyote darting among stands of hardwoods and conifers, to hawks, owls, and salamanders.

As you walk the three miles of trails at Copicut, you'll wind through a variety of natural communities and pass vernal pools, Miller Brook, and an abandoned farm settlement. You’ll be delighted by the nearly mile-long Miller Lane, a 150-year-old scenic cart path lined on either side by stone walls under a canopy of trees. Pack a lunch and enjoy a secluded picnic in a traditional timber frame “Ed Shed” before exploring further reaches of Copicut along the new Meadowhawk and Soggy Bottom Trails.

Mountain bikers will find plenty of options, too. And, when the snow flies, the relatively flat terrain and broad trails are ideal for cross-country skiing enthusiasts and snowshoers.

Copicut’s 516 acres are an integral part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, one of the largest unfragmented forests in eastern Massachusetts.

Trails
5.4 miles of trails (includes Miller Brook Conservation Area). Easy walking.

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour.

Facilities
A traditional timber frame educational shelter, the “Ed Shed,” offers a secluded place to picnic.

Regulations & Advisories

  • Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

  • Hunting is allowed west of Yellow Hill Road in season. Hunting is also permitted on adjacent Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Land.

  • Motor bikes are not permitted at Copicut Woods.

The Trustees reserves the right to photograph or video visitors and program participants for promotional use, and usage of our properties implies consent. Find the full policy here.

Directions

Indian Town Rd.
Fall River, MA 02790
Telephone: 508.636.4693
E-mail: bioreserve@thetrustees.org

Latitude: 41.7089
Longitude: -71.0650

Get directions on Google Maps.

From Points North and West: I-195 to
Exit 9 (Sanford Rd.) and turn left. Road bears
right and becomes Old Bedford Rd. Next,
take left onto Blossom Rd.; follow 1.3 miles.
Bear right onto Indian Town Rd.; follow for
1.7 miles to parking area (12 cars) on left;
roadside parking also available.

From Points East: I-195 to Exit 10, Rt. 88
South. Take first exit for Rt. 6 West. At first
traffic light, turn right onto Sanford Rd. Follow
under highway; continue as described above.

Admission

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour.

Admission
FREE to all.

Property History

Property Acquisition History
Purchased from the Richard G. Hawes family, owners of Acushnet Saw Mills, in 2002 as part of a 3,800-acre Bioreserve acquisition involving state and municipal partners. Endowment was provided by generous gift of Cynthia Hawes Ritter, Mary Ellen Hawes Lees, and Peter J. Hawes.

Programs

The 2016 BIG WALK will be Saturday, May 7, 9 a.m. The walk will start and finish at the Freetown State Forest Headquarters, 110 Slab Bridge road, Assonet Village, Freetown, Massachusetts. The BIG WALK route is different each year.
 
The 2016 BIG WALK is approximately 12 miles. Van pick-ups every 2 to 3 miles for those who only want to walk part of the route.
 
This year's loop will take us along single track trails through an Atlantic white cedar swamp, old Girl Scout Camp and through forests of pine, oak and holly.
 
The BIG WALK is free and everyone is invited to participate including friendly dogs on leash.
 
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin a good idea. If you're walking more than a few miles bring water, lunch and a snack.
 
Need more info?
Mike Labossiere
Reservation Superintendent
 
Water Division, Treatment and Resources
Department of Community Utilities
City of Fall River
 
Watuppa Reservation
2929 Blossom Road
Westport, MA 02790
 
508.324.2749
mlabossiere@fallriverma.org

Conservation and Stewardship

Copicut’s 516 acres are an integral part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, one of the largest unfragmented forests in eastern Massachusetts. Wildlife sensitive to human disturbance find refuge in Copicut’s extensive forests including red-shouldered hawk, Canada warbler, spotted turtle, and, more recently, fisher, a large member of the weasel family. More common wildlife species such as white-tailed deer, coyote, and chipmunks also reside here. In early spring, vernal pools at Copicut explode with life and provide critical breeding sites for many frogs and salamanders, including some that are rare. Atlantic white cedar occurs in remnant stands on the property, offering future restoration opportunities for this once common forest community.

Established in 2002, the Bioreserve, at 13,600 acres, is one of the largest protected tracts in the state and is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth. It comprises the Freetown–Fall River State Forest, City of Fall River watershed lands, and almost 4,000 acres formerly owned by the Acushnet Sawmill Company and located within Freetown, Fall River, and Dartmouth. The private lands were acquired by The Trustees, along with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, in concert with the City of Fall River.

 

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.


Maps and Resources

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

Download a trail map of Copicut Woods >
Download a trail map of the entire bioreserve >



Planning Your Visit

Community Links
City of Fall River
Fall River Area Chambe of Commerce

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