Home › Massachusetts › Eastham › Red Maple Swamp Trail
Red Maple Swamp Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 57 Google reviews · Running trail in Eastham, Massachusetts · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Red Maple Swamp Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Family-friendly wetland area featuring scenic trails, a boardwalk and a gazebo.
What runners say about Red Maple Swamp Trail
“Easy nice walk on boardwalk through quiet swamp and great views from the top at this well maintained trail”
“The marsh turns into beautiful old tall tall trees with the path comfortable and lined with information about the plants and trees your seeing.”
“Easy nice walk on boardwalk through quiet swamp and great views from the top at this well maintained trail”
“Provides a great view on a relatively easy walk.”
We visited on a Sunday afternoon in mid-June 2025. The trail head doesn't have very many parking spots along the side of the road. We weren't sure if we could park down by the water where the boat launch was so we stuck closer to the trail head. There are pit toilets here and the trail forks.
Beautiful, mostly shaded, fully elevated and trex decked pathway makes a comfortable, short, and enjoyable walk. You can start at the boat launch side and do a full loop going from Red Maple Swamp Trail to the Penniman House to a trail behind the house that leads to the lookout and from there to Indian Rock (via Fort…
Well maintained trails and nice boardwalk. We visited after a rainstorm and it was quite stunning, but it is a very busy trail!! We walked on the edge of the salt March and had to turn back due to knee high water. It can be quite muddy so don't wear your favorite sneakers! Modern facilities near Hemenway Landing.
Reverend Treat would be proud of the way his ancient land is used as a sanctuary, living history and astonishing nature habitat. The park personnel are great guardians of one of Cape Cod's great touchstones.
Trail conditions & character
“The marsh turns into beautiful old tall tall trees with the path comfortable and lined with information about the plants and trees your seeing.”
“Easy nice walk on boardwalk through quiet swamp and great views from the top at this well maintained trail”
“This trail is tucked between a marshy boat landing with access to the Atlantic at Coast Guard and Fort Hill.”
“Easy nice walk on boardwalk through quiet swamp and great views from the top at this well maintained trail”
“The trail head doesn't have very many parking spots along the side of the road.”
“Most of the hike is on a Boardwalk so it is flat and easy to walk.”
“Great trail, clean , well maintained, and the are bathrooms accessible.”
“I love the boardwalk because I can bring the stroller and walk with ease”
Plan your run at Red Maple Swamp Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenps.gov
- Phone+1 508-255-3421
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Eastham
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 147 reviews
Popular paved path where families can bike, walk, run or stroll among lakes, shops and eateries.
Spruce Hill Conservation Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews
Nickerson State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,876 reviews
Woodsy 1900-acre preserve featuring a large campground, trout-fishing ponds, biking & hiking trails.
Sheep Pond Woodlands Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 16 reviews