This former coastal farmland now welcomes visitors to a broad salt marsh and a dike path that leads to a loop trail around Eagle Island.
Plan Your Visit
- Overview
- Ideas for Your Visit
- Admission & Hours
- Directions & Contact Info
- What You'll Find
- Property Map
- Regulations & Advisories
Overview
A historic dike once connected Eagle Island to the mainland so livestock could graze the island’s pastures. Today, wandering the gently rolling fields and marsh meadows means encountering bobolinks and other wildlife that cluster around this placid island, located in one of the least disturbed parts of the entire 25,000-acre Great Marsh. The backside of the island overlooks extensive open marsh drained by Labor-in-Vain Creek, a remote landscape isolated from the modern world. Watch wading birds such as glossy ibis and snowy and American egrets hunt for fish in this. Just be sure to check a tide table before your trip: the property is only accessible at low tide.
Ideas for Your Visit
A one-mile loop trail circles a landscape covered by a forest of white pine, oak, and hickory, revealing the remnants of stone walls that were built along its perimeter
Admission & Hours
This property is open during normal hours.
When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of ½ hour.
Admission
FREE to all.
Directions & Contact Info
Argilla Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
Telephone: 978.356.4351
E-mail: neregion@thetrustees.org
Get directions on Google Maps.
From Rt. 128 Exit 20A, follow Rt. 1A North for 8 mi. to Ipswich. Turn right onto Rt. 133 East and follow for 1.5 mi. Turn left onto Northgate Rd. and follow for 0.5 mi. Turn left onto Argilla Rd. and follow for 0.2 mi. to entrance and parking (10 cars) on right.
What You'll Find
Our bridge has been washed away. This property is still accessible at low tide, but you may want to consult the tide tables to make sure you plan your visit accordingly.
Property Map
Free trail maps are distributed from a bulletin board in the parking area. Please understand that supplies periodically run out.
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.
Regulations & Advisories
- Our bridge has been washed away. This property is still accessible at low tide, but you may want to consult the tide tables to make sure you plan your visit accordingly.
- Dogs are not allowed.
- Authorized seasonal bow hunting is allowed on this reservation for a limited number of hunters through a deer management program administered by The Trustees. Per MassWildlife regulations, hunting is permitted from the first Monday in October through December each year, from ½ hour before sunrise all day until ½ hour after sunset, Monday through Saturday. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays. Signage is posted at the property listing safety precautions and requirements. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties. Any questions may be directed to The Trustees at castlehill@thetrustees.org.
- PHOTOGRAPHY: We ask that photographers or their clients become Supporting 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.
