Squibnocket Pond Reservation

No dogs are permitted on the Squibnocket Pond Reservation South, per the directive of the commonwealth natural heritage office.  

Dogs are currently not permitted on the Squibnocket Pond Reservation North but will, in the future, be allowed on a trial basis once the North trail system has been completed.

335.7 acres

Jointly owned by the land bank and its private-sector counterpart, the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation (SMF), the Squibnocket Pond Reservation possesses a scale unique among the island’s preserves and reservations: it’s mondo. Visitors need pre-consecrate much more time than they would elsewhere in order to explore this open space fully. 

The property comprises 336 acres divided into two separate holdings. The northhold — Squibnocket Pond Reservation North, located on the State Road — tallies out at 62 acres, at the spot where the Herring Creek drains the pond and chains it to the next, Menemsha Pond. The southhold — Squibnocket Pond Reservation South, on the Moshup Trail — encompasses 274 acres of woodland, coastal dune and Atlantic Ocean beach.

Opening these lands to public use will be phased. Both the northhold and southhold are currently open, with a northhold trail affording views of the creek and pond. The southhold’s trailhead connects to a trail leading to nearly a half-mile of remote ocean beach. Swimmers are welcome but — remember, the reservation’s mondo — this is not Katama:  it’s at least twenty minutes of trekking before reaching the surf.

The southhold, however, presents more than beach.  Unfolding for hikers along its eastside paths are pond- and ocean-facing overlooks and a waterside field — plus a footbridge over Black Brook.  Black Brook is the largest tributary of fresh water to the Squibnocket Pond.  For universal-access users, the topography near the trailhead permits a trail with views of the old Joel Gerhsom homestead.  

In the next phase, northhold trails will extend to Witch Pond (also known as Black Pond) and will include an unusual kayak access.   Because portage from the trailhead is too far (mondo) and includes both steep terrain and wetland crossings, the land bank and SMF will, in upcoming years, supply kayaks located at the pond edge (at no cost) for visitors to reserve and use. A southhold kayak landing will be installed at that time.  The timing of the next phase is currently being planned. 

Owing to expected demand,  space in the southhold trailhead for automobiles during the season is allocated via advance reservations; click here Bypass the effort — bicycle there, or take the bus.

• Difficulty rating: easy
• Trail: 400’ of hardened trail
• Points of Interest: view orientation toward the Joel Gershom homestead
• Benches: 1

for the northhold: start on the State Road at the Chilmark - Aquinnah town line. Proceed into Aquinnah 0.3 miles; driveway is on the left.

for the southhold: start at the intersection of the State Road and the Moshup Trail; proceed down the Moshup Trail and turn left into the trailhead after 0.5 miles

The reservation includes three 19th century homesteads, belonging to the Thaddeus Cook, Joel Gershom and Jonathan Francis families.