Hiking Halibut Point in Rockport: What to Know
I’ve been hiking Halibut Point State Park in Rockport for years. Let me give you some tips to make your outing there fun and memorable. My first visit to Halibut…
Halibut Point State Park in Rockport. Get there early! Parking fills up quickly.
I've been hiking Halibut Point State Park in Rockport for years. Let me give you some tips to make your outing there fun and memorable.
My first visit to Halibut Point was in the mid-2010's. I'd been visiting Rockport since the mid-'90s, but always the usual haunts: Bearskin Neck, Front Beach, and the like. It was Father's Day and I was looking for an easy, fun hike to take my kids on, preferably on the coast. I stumbled upon Halibut Point State Park, and now my kids and I have made a tradition of visiting every year.
Halibut Point is, as you can see, a State Park. It's located a few miles from Rt. 128 and, because it's a State Park, there is parking...but you have to pay for it. It's only $5 for the day, though, if you're a MA resident (it's $20 if you're not). Or, if you're a regular outdoorsperson in Massachusetts, buy the DCR's annual pass for $60. I get my money back on it from my trips to Walden Pond alone.
Hiking Halibut Point in Rockport: What to Know
Once you've arrived and parked, you'll cross the road to the trailhead, which is marked clearly and easy to find. The trail is a loop trail, about a mile and a half long. You'll start by passing through a wooded area, which opens up into the old Rockport Quarry. The view facing east gives you the quarry in the foreground and the Atlantic Ocean in the background It's both unique and breathtaking.
Keep scrolling and I'll take you for a virtual tour around the quarry and down to the shore, with a few tips thrown in. It's a relatively easy hike for all ages and abilities, kids especially. Just one important thing to keep in mind: no swimming in the quarry!
Halibut Point State Park Trailhead
Easily marked with tons of information, here's the start of your hike at Halibut Point State Park. Please note: pets must be leashed. That means your dog. I know your dog is probably the BEST DOG EVER because every dog is the BEST DOG EVER. Leash it.
Halibut Pont Trail Marker
Once you arrive the end of the trail, you can go right around the quarry or left to the visitors center. I recommend heading right. That is, unless you'd like to grab a trail guide first.
Rockport Quarry
What a view, right? My pic doesn't do it justice. It's downright surreal to have the quarry stretching out before you with the ocean in the background. So unique.
No Swimming!
The former Babson Farm granite quarry was a working quarry for years. So there's plenty of dangerous stuff in the water. Stay out.
Another view of the quarry
The loop trail loops around the entirety of the quarry, so you'll not only eventually loop around to the visitors center (in the background here), but you'll get outstanding views all around.
Secret Spot
Here's a tip: as you make your way counter-clockwise around the quarry along the loop trail, before you reach the trail that leads to the overlook and the ocean, you'll see a small, unmarked trail to your right. It leads you here. Tons of hidden wildlife to explore. Great for kids!
Ocean/Overlook sign
Once you reach this sign, follow the "TO OVERLOOK" trail to your left. Then, you can double back and head down to the ocean.
The View From the Overlook
Congrats! You're standing on top of a gigantic pile of cast-off granite from the quarry. Makes for a killer view, right?
Sea Rocks
Sea Rocks is actually a coastal property owned by the Town of Rockport, adjacent to the State Park. Visitors are welcome to carefully explore.
Ocean view from Sea Rocks
It's hard to see from my amateur snap, but those are fishing vessels and lobster boats in the distance. You'll see all manner of watercraft along the coast at Halibut Point.
Tide Pool at Sea Rocks
Another great opportunity for visitors with kids: depending on where the tide is when you visit, there will be all manner of sea life emerging from under the rocks and within the tide pools.
Cairns at Sea Rocks
Every time I visit, this giant slab of granite has something different on it. This time, it was a whole bunch of cairns. We added to it, of course.
Picnic Area at Halibut Point State Park
As you make your way back from the ocean and around the quarry to the visitors center, say a quick hello to the granite fellow.
Visitors Center
The Visitors Center was recently renovated. It's original purpose? An old wartime tower and barracks!
Hiking Halibut Point in Rockport
Halibut Point State Park in Rockport. Get there early! Parking fills up quickly.
