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| State Park Overview: |
 | Harold Parker State Forest, which lies in Andover, North Andover, North Reading and Middleton, comprises just over 3,000 acres of Central Hardwood-Hemlock-White Pine type of forest. The forest is twenty miles north of Boston and within one hour's drive of three million people. Recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, swimming, camping and picnicking. The forest has over 35 miles of logging roads and trails and offers quiet seclusion to off-road hikers and bikers. Non-motorized boating is allowed on any of the 11 ponds. No horse, boat or bike rentals are available at the facility.
Lorraine Park Campground, located about 2 miles from the Headquarters on Jenkins Rd., contains 91 sizeable campsites that are spread out sufficiently to provide a real "forest" camping experience. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a grill, and although no electric or water hookups are available, the bathrooms do have hot water showers. Camping is offered mid-April to mid-October; office hours are from 9am-9pm.
Berry Pond is the area's day use facility, and is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. The pond has a sand beach and new washhouse with flush toilets and changing stalls set against a beautiful backdrop of trees reflected in the surface of the pond. Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Grills and picnic tables are available for anyone wishing to picnic at Berry Pond. |
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| History of the Area: |
| The forest consists of rolling hills, low lying swampy areas, rock outcrops and several ponds. The landform was created by glacial movement, and evidence of glaciers exists today in the form of glacial erratics. The area was inhabited by Pentacook Indians until it was settled by English farmers around 1650. By the mid-nineteenth century agriculture was abandoned, and a new forest grew up. The sites of an 18th century sawmill and homesteads can be found. Tradition has it that many of the homes surrounding the forest were used as Underground Railroad hideouts in the 1850s. Secret doors and chambers can still be seen in local homes. Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe and William Lloyd Garrison were frequent visitors to families in the area. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| MassParks.org | Massachusetts Forests & Parks - Harold Parker State Forest - Welcome to MassParks.org! One of the smallest states in the nation, Massachusetts has one ... Navigation Menu Harold Parker State Forest 1951 Turnpike Street - Rte. 114, N. Andover (978) 686-3391 Park ... | | Harold Parker State Forest - Harold Parker State Forest. Location: Andover. Directions: From I-95 take 114 west. The entrance to the forest is on the left a few miles past Middleton. The entrance is marked with two stone... | | Area Campgrounds | | Camp Forty Acres
430 Andover St
Wilmington, MA
(978) 658-8187
| Whispering Pines Campground
8 Wenmarks Rd
Newton, NH
(603) 382-6406
| Powow Cove Campground
43 Newton Rd
Amesbury, MA
(978) 388-4022
| Camp Wakanda
Stiles Pond
Georgetown, MA
(978) 352-2188
| Barry's Grove Campground Inc
35 Davis St
Tyngsboro, MA
(978) 649-3141
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Merrimac Bait & Tackle
130 E Main St
Merrimac, MA
(978) 346-8835
| Surfland Bait & Tackle
28 Plum Island Tpke
Newbury, MA
(978) 462-4202
| American Angling Supplies
23 Main St
Salem, NH
(603) 898-4441
| Plaistow Fish & Game Club
18 May Ray Ave
Plaistow, NH
(603) 382-3675
| T-Bow's Bait & Tackle
802 Lakeview Ave
Lowell, MA
(978) 453-9934
| Pelham Fish & Game Club
Simpson Mill Rd
Pelham, NH
(603) 635-8311
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| Directions: |
| Harold Parker State Forest is located in north-eastern Massachusetts.
From Boston: Take 93 north to exit 41, follow 125 north (toward Andover), for about 4 miles to the State Police Barracks (on right). Turn right on Harold Parker Rd. to Jenkins Rd. Turn left on Jenkins, right on Middleton, Headquarters is 1-1z?2 miles on the left
From Lawrence: From I-495 take exit 42, east on Rte. 114 for 6 miles, right at brown State Forest sign to end of road, left to Headquarters.
From Salem, Peabody, Danvers: West on Rte. 114, left at Harold Parker State Forest sign, left to Headquarters. |
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