My favorite part of Hidden Gems MA is getting to share some of my favorite spots with you. This time though, I discovered an amazing place because of other people’s suggestions. No matter how much I’ve traveled around MA, this website always reminds me that there are plenty of new hidden gems to discover.
Like many in New England, I’m a Patriots fan. When you think about Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, images of Tom Brady or shopping at Patriot Place might come to mind. Most people probably wouldn’t think of a cranberry bog when thinking about Gillette. The Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog at Patriot Place is the last active cranberry bog in all of Foxborough.
Located right next to Bass Pro Shop, the bog is only a 5 minute walk from places like Trader Joes, 5 Wits, Tavalinos, Cupcake Charlie’s, and of course, Gillette. Even though it’s right next to one of the largest sports arenas in New England, the cranberry bog seems like a glimpse into Massachusetts' past. I was half-expecting a Pilgrim or two to wander out of the woods and grab some cranberries for Thanksgiving dinner.
The bog is owned by Ocean Spray, a company most well-known for their cranberry juice and a viral TikTok video. Even though it’s privately owned, the public is still able to go on the nature trail and see the cranberries being harvested for free anytime between dawn and dusk.
I didn’t plan to go to the bog. Hoping only to grab some Fettucini Alfredo from Trader Joe's, I was not dressed for a hike, I forgot my camera, and I was absolutely starving. In other words, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to going on a hike. But the trail around the bog surprised me in the best way. The ½ mile loop was an easy walk with amazing views of the cranberries.
This was the first time I’d ever been to a cranberry bog, and it did not disappoint. For someone who’s lived in Massachusetts their entire life and even ran a Massachusetts-themed travel blog, I had somehow missed out on one of the quintessential MA experiences. Even Massachusetts’ state berry and one of its state colors is cranberry! Even though I’ve seen cranberry bogs in commercials, finally seeing one in person for the first time was really interesting.
The bog was planted in 1929 and is full of plenty of informational signs scattered throughout the trail. You can learn about the health benefits of cranberries, (they contain a high level of antioxidants), the unique plant life growing throughout the bog (including white water lilies, serviceberries, and wild celery), and the rules of the trail (don’t ride horses through the cranberry bog!).
The hike itself is very easy. The highest grade is 12% and the average grade is only 3%. The most perilous part of the trail are the tree roots and rocks scattered across the path. The best time to visit is during cranberry season, from mid-September to late-November.
Again, the entire nature trail is outdoors and masks are required, so there is a very low risk of COVID here. As long as you follow the local and state guidelines by wearing a face covering, this is a great and safe place to visit next time you want to get out of the house.
Comentarios