Exploring The Great Marsh

A place where you can walk, kayak, bird, feast on the local clams or just enjoy the splendid views

What is the Great Marsh?

The Great Marsh is the largest salt marsh in New England and includes over 20,000 acres of marsh, barrier beach, tidal river, estuary, mudflat, and upland islands extending across the Massachusetts North Shore from Gloucester to Salisbury. In recognition of these extraordinary resources, a portion of this area was designated by the state in 1979 as the Parker River/Essex Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The Great Marsh is an internationally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) as it contributes to the preservation of many breeding and migratory birds. This region is an important part of the ecological, economic, recreational, and cultural landscape that we value here on the North Shore.

The network of waterways, beaches, parks, and wildlife refuges in the Great Marsh make it an outstanding destination to enjoy boating, fishing, bird watching, hiking, and beach activities throughout the cities and towns of Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury. Some prime destinations include: Cox Reservation (Essex), Wingaersheek Beach (Gloucester), Crane Beach (Ipswich), Old Town Hill (Newbury), Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Ipswich, Newburyport, Newbury, and Rowley), Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary (Newburyport) and Salisbury Beach State Reservation (Salisbury). For more information about the Great Marsh, please visit the official Great Marsh Coalition website at www.greatmarsh.org.

Getting Acquainted with the Great Marsh

Whatever you do, regardless of the season, the Great Marsh and surrounding areas will impress you with their beauty, history, diverse wildlife and more. Take an opportunity to get to know this treasure in your backyard.

By Paddle

The network of tidal creeks and rivers, Plum Island Sound, and Essex Bay provide countless peaceful and serene places to explore by kayak or canoe. There are a number of launch sites where you can start your exploration of the Great Marsh. These include:

Pavillion Beach in Ipswich, located where Plum Island Sound opens into Ipswich Bay. From here you can explore Plum Island, several tidal rivers and Crane Beach on Castle Neck. It is located at the causeway between Great Neck and Little Neck, on Little Neck Road; access for non-motorized craft is marked.
Another pubic access point in Ipswich is at the Town Wharf on East Street. Parking is available for a fee.
The Jones River in Gloucester can be accessed via Long Wharf in Gloucester on Atlantic Street.
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport provides non-motorized boat access to Plum Island Sound and is available from the Refuge at the boat ramp opposite parking lot 1. Boat ramp use is available year-round during Refuge hours of operation, sunrise to sunset.
With advance arrangements, canoes and kayaks may be launched at high tide from Essex County Greenbelt Association's Cox Reservation in Essex.
Essex River Basin Adventures provides a variety of guided sea kayak tours for all abilities.
Local kayaking clubs such as theNorth Shore Paddlers Network offer paddling trips, workshops and more.

If you would prefer a comfortable, narrated tour on a larger vessel, several companies in the area offer cruises including:

Walking, Hiking and Biking

The Great Marsh region has numerous areas to walk, hike and bike. These range from in-town walks to scenic trails through conservation lands. For more information visit the following web sites:

Visit Massachusetts Audubon, Essex County Greenbelt, and the Trustees of Reservations to learn about the many conservation areas and natural open spaces you can visit. These organizations also offer guided programs that explore the varied habitats, plants and animals in the Great Marsh.

Life is a Beach

Or so the saying goes...but you haven't lived until you've visited Crane Beach in Ipswich. Managed by The Trustees of Reservations, Crane Beach offers miles of white sand, perfect for walking, swimming, beachcombing and, during the summer months, observing Piping Plovers and Least Terns. For more information on Crane Beach, visit The Trustees of Reservations website.

The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island in Newburyport not only offers fantastic birding, but contains some of the most pristine beaches in New England. However, some of these beaches are closed for part of the year during Piper Plover nesting season so be sure to check with the Refuge before heading out to Plum Island.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation offers 3.8 miles of ocean beach as well as opportunities for fishing and boating. Facilities include a 481-site campground, bathhouses, a playground and pavilion area making it a great place to take the kids.

History and Culture

From the earliest use of the area by Native Americans, the Great Marsh has been an important part of daily life on the North Shore. Salt marsh haying, farming, fishing, shipbuilding, and the arts continue to link our past to the present. A few suggestions for cultural outings include:

The Cape Ann Historical Museum in Gloucester features the largest collection of paintings and drawings by the painter Fitz Hugh Lane, and many other artists who were inspired by the region's light and landscapes.
The Historic New England maintains the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury and the Cogswell's Grant property (c.1730) in Essex, providing wonderful examples of early settlement farming in the region.

The video documentary, Voices of the Great Marsh, is a short film exploring the Great Marsh through the eyes of local elders and activists who are working to preserve it. Ruth Alexander of Rowley, who is responsible for first calling this unique landscape "The Great Marsh" was the inspiration for this video and is one of its subjects. It is available through the Eight Towns & the Bay organization and at local libraries.

This is just a sampling of what the Great Marsh has to offer. For more information about the Great Marsh, please visit the official Great Marsh Coalition website.