New Bedford Family Hiking Trail Perfect for Little Hikers

Hiking trails have cropped up seemingly everywhere as the more health-conscious are exploring the great outdoors, with one family-friendly trail hidden right in the heart of New Bedford.

There are hiking trails for all skill levels throughout the SouthCoast and Rhode Island. Most are in suburbia, out in the country and even along the ocean.

There is a family-friendly trail smack dab in the middle of New Bedford that you probably don't even know about, yet you should if you have young ones you want to introduce to hiking.

The Daniel Ricketson Nature Trail is in the woods at Brooklawn Park in New Bedford's North End. New Bedford's Department of Parks, Recreation and Beaches says, "This nature trail is located in a dense urban area and features unique woodland perennials and wildlife."

"This historic trail dates back to Daniel Ricketson's residence in the 1800s," the official City website says. "We know that Ricketson cut out paths in the woods in October of 1855."

Hikers can "walk the same trails that Henry David Thoreau would have walked while visiting Ricketson."

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AllTrails.com says Daniel Ricketson Nature Trail is 0.7 miles long and takes about 14 minutes to complete. The site says, "It's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring," making it perfect for young hikers.

The New Bedford Recreation Department has a printable detailed map to help plan your adventure. And don't forget to pack a lunch and some bug spray.

In the 1800s, Daniel Ricketson's Brook Lawn estate, now Brooklawn Park, was home to grazing cows and apple orchards – and of course, his lavish home.

Ricketson often entertained prominent guests at Brook Lawn, including Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The Ricketson house was demolished in 1970.