This Meetup Group is sponsored by the Friends of Myles Standish State Forest (FMSSF). a volunteer group charity organization.  We are private individuals who want to bring interesting and fun hikes, bird-watching programs and other events for all ages to Myles Standish State Forest, the largest state forest in eastern Massachusetts-- a park as big as many of the towns that surround it.

Sponsoring this group helps the Friends fulfill its mission to encourage a deeper appreciation of Myles Standish State Forest as a wonderful recreational resource, while fostering the understanding that the southeastern Massachusetts' pine barrens are a globally rare habitat and are home to a surprisingly large number of endangered plants and animals.

We are dedicated to promoting responsible use of the forest. We hope that once you see for yourself the incredible plants, animals and special features of the MSSF pine barrens, you will want to become a member of our Friends group too!

We hold monthly guided hikes at various locations in the forest on the first Sunday of the month and we also sponsor bird watching and support activities when the birds allow.  

We often work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) on clearing trails and many other projects but this group is not sponsored by the DCR or the State of Massachusetts.

All ages are welcome on every hike as long as parents/guardians are with any younger hikers. Friendly leashed dogs are welcome on most hikes--except for bird watching hikes, please.  If you love hiking or birding you will discover that MSSF has some great places to explore. Where else in MA can you find vistas that make you think you are in the Southwestern U.S.?

Please consider joining the Friends. Visit the Friends of Myles Standish web page .  The forest belongs to all of us and it needs many more friends to keep it viable.  Members of the Friends are currently working on various stewardship projects such as our Pine Barrens Community Initiative to raise awareness of native plants in the unique pine barrens of Southeast Massachusetts.

If you need directions to the forest, it's located north of Exit 2 off Route 495 (Take route 58 north towards Carver for 2.3 miles, continue up Tremont St. for another  0.8 miles when Route 58 forks left and  turn right on Cranberry Road for another 2.7 miles to the forest headquarters) or, if you are coming from the east,  from Exit 3 off Route 3 , follow the signs to the park's east entrance on Alden Road, which is off Long Pond Road in Plymouth.)

You can find a detailed map of Myles Standish State Forest showing campgrounds, ponds, biking and two excellent self-guiding hiking trails at the Myles Standish State Forest  web page.  (A 2.5 mile trail starts from the headquarters and goes around the pretty East Head Reservoir; the Bentley Loop is 3.7 miles and starts at Parking Lot #2 on Upper College Pond Road. (Follow the blue blazes.)