Visitor Center/Headquarters Property The Visitor's Center is open year round, Monday through Friday, 10 am – 4 pm. Has a short nature trail and runs numerous seasonal education programs.
South Cape Beach State Park, Sage Lot Pond and Flat Pond This eastern section of the reserve serves has a swimming beach which is a noted surf casting site during the annual bluefish and striped bass migrations. It is also a nesting ground for protected species such as piping plover and least tern. Sage Lot and Flat Ponds are salt ponds to the east of Waquoit Bay.
Washburn Island
Quashnet River Property The river is the largest source of fresh water to the Bay and is mostly surrounded by upland forests. There is a three-mile loop trail along the river. Trout Unlimited that has converted a cranberry bog channel back to a river.
North Quashnet Woodlands Pine woodlands and an abandoned cranberry bog.
The following are salt ponds to the east of Waquoit Bay which are best explored by kayak:
Hamblin Pond,
Jehu Pond,
Abigail's Brook
The following freshwater ponds drain to the Waquoit Bay at the northern side and offer kayaking and fishing:
Bog Pond,
Bourne Pond, is just over in surface area and consequently is considered a Great Pond under the laws of the Massachusetts. As such it is kept in trust for all citizens and is not privately owned.
Caleb Pond,.
Childs River: Abandoned cranberry bogs and pine woodlands.
History
Artifacts dating back 450–1000 years, including hammer flakes and shell middens, have been found on the Washburn Island. As late as the early 19th century, some Wampanoags still lived around Bourne and Caleb ponds, at a spring supplying fresh water to both settlers and Native Americans. The administrative, research, and education buildings are located in the historic buildings of the Sargent Estate. Purchased in 1987 by the Commonwealth, great care was given in restoring the buildings. The Quashnet River Property was also purchased in 1987 and incorporated into the Reserve. The Reserve and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife manage the river property.
Activities and amenities
In addition to interpretive programs, the reserve offers opportunities for hiking, boating, camping, fishing, and restricted hunting.
