Experience a variety of natural environments—woods, fields, and tidal river—all within 47-acre Slocum’s River Reserve. A longtime coastal farm and one of many such agricultural tracts that define South Dartmouth, the reserve, which is jointly owned and managed by The Trustees and Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, offers a glimpse into the town’s rural heritage while affording spectacular views of the South Coast and Buzzards Bay. The easy routes on the reservation connect to trail easements over an adjoining 60 acres of private land.

From Angelica’s Overlook on a clear day, the eye can take in the sparkling river, the bay, the Elizabeth Islands, and, on the far southeast horizon, even the shimmering cliffs of Martha’s Vineyard.

If you’re short for time, walk along two miles of woodland trails before reaching the western shoreline of the river, an expanse of tidal flats. Watch for great blue herons and other waders in the shallows and northern harriers overhead; more than 3,000 feet of critical shoreline and salt marsh have been protected here.

For a longer excursion, follow a 3.6-mile trail that passes through a thick forest of pine and oak and loops around the adjacent Dartmoor Farm Wildlife Management Area, a property of the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Free to all.

Open Sunrise – Sunset.

Horseneck Road
Dartmouth, MA 02748
Telephone: 508.636.4693 (Trustees); 508.991.2289 (DNRT)
E-mail: southcoast@thetrustees.org

Get directions on Google Maps.

From Rt. 140 South, turn right onto Rt. 6 West. At third set of traffic lights, turn left onto Old Westport Rd. and follow for 0.4 mi. Bear left onto Chase Rd. and follow for 3.6 mi. to end. Turn right onto Russells Mills Rd. and follow for 1 mi. through Russells Mills Village and straight onto Horseneck Rd. Follow for 1.4 mi. to entrance and parking (10 cars) on left. Roadside parking is not permitted.

There is a trail map posted on a kiosk in the parking area.

We recommend that you take a photo of the map on your phone so you can refer to it during your visit, or download a trail map before you head out.

• Hunting is not permitted at this reservation. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties.
• Mountain biking is not allowed.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
• Small water craft may be carried to and launched from the beach.
• PHOTOGRAPHY: We ask that photographers or their clients become Contributing Level Members before conducting portrait sessions at this property.  Click here for more information, and to request permission for any portrait sessions.
• The Trustees of Reservations reserves the right, and may give permission to its designated photographers and videographers, or to outside media, to photograph or video visitors and program participants at all its facilities and properties.