The Horse Pond conservation trails are located within 400 acres of Town owned land to the east of Higgins Crowell Road in West Yarmouth. The main trail runs along the northern perimeter of the pond with spurs, loops and connectors to other trail systems. Horse Pond itself covers an area of approximately 30 acres and is quite shallow with a maximum depth of around 10 feet.
Horse Pond exhibits large fluctuations in its shoreline due to neighboring public wells. Fluctuation in the water level provides a unique habitat for many rare and endangered plants within two wet meadows to the north of the pond. During high precipitation years there is standing water in this meadow and during low precipitation years, a diverse plant community consisting of grasses, sedges, sundews, and rushes prevails.
Connector trails link Horse Pond with Sandy Pond across Higgins Crowell Road; Basset’s Lot Pond on the east side of the trail; the Larry/Bill/Ed Trails that loop around the northern end of the conservation area; and the Plashes Pond cranberry bogs across West Yarmouth Road.
Beaches along Horse pond can be accessed from the walking trails. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails any time of year.
