Squam Swamp consists of hardwood forests, freshwater bogs, shrub swamps, grassy meadows, and vernal pools. This property is dominated by hardwood forests of tupelo, red maple, sassafras, and American beech trees interspersed with fern-filled pockets of wetlands. A walking trail and accompanying interpretive brochure provide an introduction to many of the ecological, geological, and historical features of this property. The 1.75-mile round-trip trail is well-marked and has numbered posts keyed to the interpretive map. Along the southern portion of the trail, there is an access path that leads to the Foundation’s adjoining Squam Farm property.

Squam Swamp is located on Wauwinet Road. From the Rotary, follow Milestone Road for 0.25 miles and turn left onto Polpis Road. Follow Polpis Road for 6 miles and turn left onto Wauwinet Road. Follow Wauwinet Road 1.5 miles and look for the parking area on the right (it is just after you pass Pocomo Road on your left). There is ample parking located within the post and rail fencing at the trailhead. There are no facilities.
Habitat

Squam Swamp contains a diverse collection of natural areas, including hardwood forests, freshwater bogs, and vernal pools. The existing hardwood forests on this property contain 40 to 50-foot-high stands of black tupelo, red maple, sassafras, red oak, white oak, and American beech trees. Forests such as this are relatively rare on Nantucket. Settlers who arrived in the early 1600s reported that the island was covered with large trees. However, this quickly changed as they were harvested for home construction, shipbuilding, and firewood. Today, Nantucket’s forests are limited to certain areas and tend to occur in small depressions known as hidden forests that were formed during the last glacial era.