Brockton, Massachusetts is located in Plymouth County and is home to more than 100,000 people. Both Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler hail from the city, which led to its nickname of the "City of Champions."
Summer in Brockton is devoted to cultural events. The Brockton Summer Concert Series, the Downtown Brockton Arts and Music Festival, and the Cape Verdean Festival all take place in either July or August every year. In late November, Brockton’s holiday parade is a much-anticipated event to kick off the winter season.
If crafting is your thing, then the Fuller Craft Museum is a fascinating place to spend an afternoon in Brockton, Massachusetts. It's been in operation since 1946 and is dedicated to various styles of arts and crafts. All along Route 27 near the city, there are more museums showcasing the area's history. They enlighten visitors on everything from shoe manufacturing to firefighting advancements. There is even a museum focused on the concept of homesteading. In addition, several buildings in the downtown district are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In Brockton, Campanelli Stadium presents sporting events throughout the year. The highlight of the summer is the Brockton Rox, the city's semi-professional baseball team. Boston is a short 25-mile drive from Brockton, so if you want to take a break from camping and see a professional baseball game, it's easy enough to get to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox play. If you’re camping in the fall, you can also check out a New England Patriots game at Gillette Stadium.
Campgrounds Near Brockton, Massachusetts
Atlantic Oaks RV Resort in Eastham, Massachusetts, which is on Cape Cod, is just 84 miles away. The campground has 100 RV sites and provides 30-amp and 50-amp electrical hookups at each one. Each site also has water and sewer hookups. The cellular reception and the free Wi-Fi have strong signals for your convenience. Nauset Lighthouse and Salt Pond are mere minutes away by car and make excellent easy hikes.
Winter Island Park Campground is in Salem, approximately 55 miles from Brockton, Massachusetts. The RV sites at this park do not have full hookups, although you can shower at the camp. Eighteen sites have a 50-amp hookup, while 10 have a 30-amp hookup. In addition, the RV sites at this campground are back-in only. A boat ramp is available, and pets are permitted at the campground. The cellular signal here is strong, and the Wi-Fi is an additional charge.
Harold Parker State Forest is 52 miles from Brockton. This rustic campground has 89 back-in-only RV sites. Electrical, water, and sewer hookups are not available. Pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash, and owners are expected to clean up after their furry friends. There is a boat ramp at the campground, and several of the streams nearby lead to secluded beaches for a swim.
State Parks Near Brockton, Massachusetts
Wompatuck State Park is only a few minutes drive northeast of Brockton. The park offers approximately 3,000 acres of forest and wetlands. For bicyclists, there is the Whitney Spur Rail Trail. This trail is 1.5 miles of flat riding that's perfect for laps. Mountain bikers can leave the flat trail and search out single tracks in the woods. During the winter, these and many other trails in the park make good places for cross-country skiing. Motorized boats are prohibited, but you can use a rowboat in one of the small lakes to fish.
The 12,000 acres of Myles Standish State Park lie 35 miles southeast of Brockton. The park's trails are separated by category. Hiking trails, bicycle trails, and horseback-riding trails crisscross the park. The ponds and small lakes in the park offer fishing and nonmotorized boating. Explore the local cranberry bogs along one of the interpretive trails. Birders will see many species of warbler, bluebird, and towhee.
The drive to Lincoln Woods State Park from Brockton is slightly less than an hour. The beaches in this park have lifeguards on duty during the day throughout the swimming season. You can rent kayaks or canoes by the hour or day, and you can fish from your rental or your nonmotorized boat. If you decide to bring your boat, you can use the boat ramp for free. The staff at the park also offers horseback riding lessons. You can ice skate on the lakes in the winter, and this is one of three parks in Rhode Island that has received recognition for safe ice.
National Sites Near Brockton, Massachusetts
At Adams National Historical Park, just 14 miles from Brockton, you can check out 11 buildings that tell the story of John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, the only father-and-son pair to serve as President of the United States. While you're there, pay a visit to the Stone Library. The Stone Library contains 14,000 books and was the first presidential library. The Blue Hills Skyline Trail is 15 miles of difficult hiking, but it offers breathtaking views of Boston from the highest part of the trail. The Lower Neponset River Trail is one-third as long and is designed for beginners.
At 16 miles away from Brockton, the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area comprises a total land area of almost 1,500 acres. Ferries provide service to 2 of the 34 islands. Many of the islands have diverse ecosystems. You can even see jellyfish and cormorants within feet of each other on the shores. Hike the Freedom Trail nearby and relive pivotal moments from the American Revolution.
The Boston African-American National Historic Site commemorates abolitionists and other prominent Black figures from American history. Although there are no facilities or exhibits to speak of, rangers lead guided tours along the Black Heritage Trail. It's a 1.5-mile hike, and you will walk in the steps of Underground Railroad conductors and the slaves they freed. Since this is an outdoor experience, be prepared for cold, snowy conditions in the winter and hot, humid weather in the summer!
National Forests Near Brockton, Massachusetts
White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire is 157 miles from Brockton, Massachusetts. At 800,000 acres, the forest is larger than Rhode Island! The Caps Ridge Trail is a grueling trek from 3,000 feet of elevation to nearly 6,000 feet over the course of 5.3 miles. This trail might be impassable in the winter. If you like to fish, try the easy Albany Brook Trail. The pond along the trail is stocked with trout. Feel free to bring your dogs along too. Moose, white-tailed deer, and ruffed grouse are three common wildlife species within the forest.
On the border of Massachusetts and Vermont, 174 miles from Brockton, sits the Green Mountain National Forest. The roads through the park allow you to take a leisurely foliage tour in the autumn. The North Bourne Pond Loop rises and falls 2,000 feet and is one of the most challenging trails in the forest. On the North Bourne Pond Loop and the other trails, you can explore many of the 2,000 archaeological sites within the forest. If you're new to hiking, try the Ice Bed Trail, which is only one mile long.
The Finger Lakes National Forest is 364 miles from Brockton, Massachusetts. More than 30 miles of hiking trails meander through this majestic forest. The wildlife includes several bird species. Among them are wood duck, yellow warbler, ruffed grouse, and northern goshawk. White-tailed deer and beavers patrol the forest and waters, respectively. Deeper in the woods, bobcats and red foxes hunt their prey.
