[from
The Trustees of Reservations website]
Description
The weather-beaten bluffs of Halibut Point comprise a low rocky coastal
shelf covered in bayberry, greenbriar, and shadbush. During storms,
waves crash over the rocky shore. Tidal pools harbor snails, hermit
crabs, and sea stars. Above the Reservation is the former Babson Farm
Quarry, now filled by natural underground springs. Granite quarried
here at the turn of the twentieth century paved thousands of city streets
and built bridges, tunnels, monuments, warehouses, and buildings, such
as Boston's Custom House Tower. The adjacent state park operates a small
visitor center and museum dedicated to telling the story of Cape Ann's
historic granite industry
.
Travel Directions
Gott Avenue. From Route 128 (Exit 9), take Route 127 north (Eastern
Avenue) toward Rockport 3 mi. At 5-way intersection, turn left onto
Railroad Avenue (remains Route 127) and follow for 2.4 mi. Turn right
onto Gott Avenue. Entrance is opposite the state park's parking lot.
To avoid traffic in Rockport Center (during summer), pick up Route 127
north at Gloucester Rotary (Exit 11) and follow through village of Lanesville.
After crossing into Rockport, pass Folly Cove and look for "State
Park" sign leading to Gott Avenue on your left.
Parking Details
Halibut Point State Park, located adjacent to The Trustees' Halibut
Point Reservation, operates a designated parking lot surfaced for year-round
use. 70 cars. Columbus Day to Memorial Day, weekends and holidays, Trustees
members free (must present current membership card to park ranger),
non-members $2 per private passenger car/motorcycle. Free parking at
all other times. Tour buses: $20 daily, year-round. For further information,
call the state park office at 978/546-2997.
Entrance Path
Sign
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Entrance Sign at
Main Gate off Gott Ave, Rockport, Massachusetts
Fee Sign at Main
Gate off Gott Ave, Rockport, Massachusetts
Public
Transportation
Bus (Lanesville route). Call Cape Ann Transit Authority (CATA) 978/283-7916.
Hours Open Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset; during summer, parking
lot opens at 8am. Allow a minimum of 1 hour, 2 hours if visiting state
park visitor center and museum.
Admission Fees Pedestrians and bicyclists free. See "Parking
Details" above for parking fees.
Established as Reservation 1934
Current Acreage 12
Trails 2.5 miles of trails. Moderate walking.
Dog Walking Permitted on leash only.
Recreational Opportunities Bird watching; Fishing; Hiking; Nature
study; Picnicking; Scenic Vistas
Mountain Biking No
Facilities/Amenities
The state park operates a small visitor center and museum devoted
to Halibut Point's natural history and Cape Ann's historic granite
quarrying industry, of which Halibut Point's Babson Farm Quarry was
a major part. Public restrooms. Private Functions No.
Staff on Site Yes State park staff on duty year-round; hours vary.
Tours Yes: Periodic guided tours offered by state park staff and local
volunteers. Call state park office at 978/546-2997 for more information.
Self-guided tour brochure available (see "Literature" below).
Public Programs Periodic public programs offered.
Literature
Interpretive brochure with map available for free on-site at State
Park Visitor Center.
Other Notes Halibut Point is cooperatively managed by The Trustees
of Reservations and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Management. The Trustees first acquired a reservation here in 1934,
and an adjoining 54-acre state park was established in 1981.
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