Mount Ann Park
Discover Mount Ann Park, a serene natural escape with unique glacial terrain and challenging trails, perfect for quiet exploration.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more parking
Mount Ann Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more parking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Mount Ann Park, a serene natural escape with unique glacial terrain and challenging trails, perfect for quiet exploration.
"The park offers a peaceful, uncrowded experience with interesting glacial features, despite parking challenges. "
🚗 Parking Strategy
Arrive early for the few spots on New Way Lane. Avoid street parking as cars can be towed. :car:
🗺️ Use a Trail App
Trails can be hard to follow; AllTrails or similar apps are essential for navigation. :iphone:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Glacial Boulders and Rocky Trails
Throughout the park
Explore a landscape sculpted by glaciers, with unique rock formations and challenging, rocky paths perfect for adventurous hikers.
Summit Views
Mount Ann summit
While the summit view is partially obscured, it still offers a pleasant panorama, providing a rewarding sense of accomplishment.
Peaceful Atmosphere
Throughout the park
Due to limited access and parking, Mount Ann Park remains a tranquil escape, ideal for quiet reflection and enjoying nature.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Parking is Extremely Limited
Trail Navigation & Terrain
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Strategy
Arrive early for the few spots on New Way Lane. Avoid street parking as cars can be towed. :car:
🗺️ Use a Trail App
Trails can be hard to follow; AllTrails or similar apps are essential for navigation. :iphone:
👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The terrain is rocky and can get muddy after rain, so good hiking boots are a must. :athletic_shoe:
💧 Be Prepared for Mud
The park can get mucky, especially after rainfall. Consider waterproof shoes or gaiters. :umbrella:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Strategy
Arrive early for the few spots on New Way Lane. Avoid street parking as cars can be towed. :car:
🗺️ Use a Trail App
Trails can be hard to follow; AllTrails or similar apps are essential for navigation. :iphone:
👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The terrain is rocky and can get muddy after rain, so good hiking boots are a must. :athletic_shoe:
💧 Be Prepared for Mud
The park can get mucky, especially after rainfall. Consider waterproof shoes or gaiters. :umbrella:
🤫 Seek Solitude
Limited access means fewer visitors, making it a great spot for a peaceful, quiet hike. :ear:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors appreciate Mount Ann Park for its peaceful atmosphere and unique glacial terrain, offering a tranquil escape. However, the extremely limited parking is a significant drawback, and trails can be challenging to navigate without a map.
"There is room for just two cars to park at the end of New Way Lane. Other than that there is no parking. Since parking is so scarce, you'll have these woods all to yourself. The Trustees' website for this park says there is no parking at all, but that's baloney. The access from New Way Lane goes through watershed land owned by the City of Gloucester, but it's not posted at all; therefore it is legitimate access.
Years ago there used to be an entrance directly on Route 128. There still is a trailhead that goes out to the highway, but the old parking lot there is now blocked off by guardrails.
The terrain is shaped by glaciers, with a bunch of small hills with boulders everywhere. Most trails are quite small and can be hard to follow. AllTrails has a good map of this place, and the park borders a larger expanse of woods I have yet to explore. Mountain biking looks quite challenging. The summit's view is mostly obscured, but it's still nice up there."
Alvin Alves
"Great walking trails but very rocky towards the water. NO public parking spot. Street is narrow and not wide enough to park on. Cars get towed."
SM
"Nice park. Not a lot of hikers since access is limited."
Kevin Cook
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Access to Mount Ann Park is primarily via New Way Lane in Gloucester, MA, where a very limited number of parking spots are available. Historically, there was an entrance off Route 128, but this parking lot is now blocked off.
Parking is extremely limited, with space for only about two cars at the end of New Way Lane. Some sources suggest no public parking, but this access is considered legitimate. Street parking is not advised as vehicles can be towed.
While there are no specific bike paths mentioned, the park's terrain is described as challenging for mountain biking, suggesting it's more suited for hiking.
Information regarding public transport to Mount Ann Park is not readily available. Given the limited parking and remote feel, it's likely best accessed by private vehicle.
Navigate to the end of New Way Lane in Gloucester, MA. Look for the access point through watershed land, which is not posted and offers legitimate entry.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Mount Ann Park is a public park and does not require tickets for entry. Access is free, though parking is extremely limited.
As a natural park, Mount Ann Park is generally accessible during daylight hours. It's advisable to visit during safe daylight for navigation and enjoyment.
There is no entrance fee for Mount Ann Park. The primary challenge is securing parking due to its scarcity.
While there are no official posted hours, it's recommended to visit during daylight hours for safety and to navigate the trails effectively.
The main restriction is the severe lack of parking. Be mindful of the terrain, which can be rocky and muddy, and ensure you have appropriate footwear.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The terrain is shaped by glaciers, featuring numerous small hills, scattered boulders, and rocky, sometimes muddy, footpaths.
The trails can be small and difficult to follow. Using a navigation app like AllTrails is highly recommended for a better hiking experience.
The summit offers a partially obscured view, described as nice. The overall experience is one of peaceful natural beauty.
While not specifically highlighted, the park's natural setting and limited human activity suggest it could be a good location for observing local birdlife.
The park is described as having rocky trails towards the water, but swimming is not explicitly mentioned as an activity. It's more focused on hiking and nature exploration.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the unique glacial rock formations, the rugged, rocky trails, and the serene, natural landscapes. The summit view, though partially obscured, can also make for a rewarding shot.
Yes, the park offers opportunities for landscape photography, especially with its glacial features and natural, somewhat wild, terrain. Consider visiting after rain for atmospheric shots.
Morning light can be beautiful for capturing the textures of the rocks and the natural environment. Visiting on a clear day will offer the best visibility for the summit views.
The summit of Mount Ann itself is a key point, as are the various boulder fields and unique rock formations sculpted by glaciers.
A wide-angle lens would be useful for capturing the landscape, and a sturdy tripod might be helpful for low-light conditions or capturing the textures of the rocks.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The limited parking is a major consideration; arriving very early is key. While the summit view is partially obscured, the adventure of exploring the glacial formations and boulders can be exciting for kids. It's a great place for a peaceful family outing, especially if you enjoy a less crowded experience.
🚶♀️ Solo Hikers & Nature Seekers
Be sure to download an offline map, as trails can be tricky to navigate. The rocky, glacial landscape provides an interesting and somewhat challenging environment for a solo trek. It's a perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy the raw beauty of the Massachusetts landscape.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating Mount Ann Park's Trails
Be prepared for a rocky and potentially muddy environment, especially after rainfall. The paths can be uneven, so sturdy hiking boots are highly recommended. While the summit offers a view, it's noted as being partially obscured, so manage expectations for panoramic vistas. The park's limited access contributes to its peaceful atmosphere, making it a great spot for those seeking solitude away from crowded trails.
For those interested in mountain biking, the terrain is noted as being quite challenging, suggesting it's more suited for experienced riders. The park borders a larger expanse of undeveloped woods, hinting at potential for further exploration for the truly adventurous.
The Challenge of Parking and Access
It's crucial to be aware that street parking is not a viable option as cars can be towed. This scarcity of parking means that the park often remains uncrowded, offering a tranquil experience for those who manage to find a spot. Historically, there was a parking lot off Route 128, but this is now blocked off by guardrails, making the New Way Lane access the primary, albeit difficult, entry point.
This limited access contributes to the park's secluded nature. Visitors who prioritize a quiet, less-trafficked natural area might find the parking challenge a worthwhile trade-off for the peace and quiet they can experience once inside the park.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit