Halibut Point State Park
Halibut Point State Park sits at the northernmost tip of Cape Ann, where dramatic granite shores meet the Atlantic Ocean. This historic site features the flooded Babson Farm Quarry—once supplying granite for Boston’s Custom House Tower—a World War II fire control tower now serving as the visitor center, vibrant tidal pools teeming with marine life, and stunning coastal views extending to Maine and the Isles of Shoals.
📅 2026 Visitor Info
- Memorial Day – Labor Day: 8 AM – 8 PM daily
- Rest of year: Sunrise – Sunset
- Parking: $5 MA residents / $20 non-residents (late May–mid Oct)
- Walk/Bike: FREE entry
Babson Farm Granite Quarry
| Quarry History | Details |
|---|---|
| 🪨 Era | Late 1800s – 1929 |
| 🏛️ Famous Uses | Boston Custom House Tower, streets, bridges |
| 💧 Today | Flooded with groundwater from natural springs |
| 🚶 Trails | Walking paths circle the quarry |
WWII Fire Control Tower (Visitor Center)
| Visitor Center | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏗️ Building | World War II-era fire control tower |
| 📚 Exhibits | Granite industry & maritime heritage |
| 🚻 Facilities | Public restrooms |
| 👂 Accessibility | Assisted-listening devices for tours |
Tidal Pools & Marine Life
| Tidepool Life | What to See |
|---|---|
| 🐚 Harbor Snails | Common along rocky shore |
| 🦀 Hermit Crabs | In borrowed shells |
| ⭐ Sea Stars | Clinging to rocks |
| 📅 Programs | Tidepool programs in summer |
Hiking Trails
| Trail | Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 🔵 State Park Loop | 1.8 miles | Easy, full park circuit |
| 🔵 Quarry-Ocean Loop | 1.9 miles | Quarry + ocean views |
| Scenic Views | What You’ll See |
|---|---|
| 🏔️ North | Mount Agamenticus, Maine |
| 🏝️ East | Isles of Shoals (NH) |
| 🌊 Atlantic | Open ocean panoramas |
Parking Fees
| Visitor Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| 🚗 MA Residents | $5 |
| 🚗 Non-Residents | $20 |
| 🚶 Walk/Bike | FREE |
| 📅 Fee Season | Late May – mid-October |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Babson Farm Quarry?
The Babson Farm Quarry was an active granite quarrying operation from the late 1800s until 1929. Granite from this quarry was used to construct Boston’s Custom House Tower, city streets, bridges, and tunnels. Today, the quarry is flooded with crystal-clear groundwater from natural underground springs, and scenic walking trails circle the water.
What’s in the World War II tower?
The park’s visitor center is housed in a World War II-era fire control tower, originally used to watch for enemy ships. Today it contains exhibits on Cape Ann’s granite industry and maritime heritage. The center has public restrooms and offers assisted-listening devices for park tours.
Can you see marine life in the tide pools?
Yes! The rocky Atlantic shoreline is dotted with vibrant tidal pools full of marine life including harbor snails, hermit crabs, and sea stars. The park hosts special tidepool programs during summer months—check with the visitor center for schedules. Best viewing is at low tide!
How far can you see on a clear day?
On clear days, the views from Halibut Point are spectacular! You can see Mount Agamenticus in Maine to the north and the Isles of Shoals off New Hampshire to the northeast. The dramatic rocky coastline and open Atlantic panoramas make this one of Massachusetts’ most scenic coastal parks.
Is there whale watching at Halibut Point?
The park itself doesn’t offer whale watching tours, but Cape Ann is a premier whale watching destination. Several operators run tours from nearby Gloucester and Rockport to Stellwagen Bank and Jeffrey’s Ledge, known feeding grounds for humpback, fin, and minke whales. Book tours through Cape Ann Whale Watch or 7 Seas Whale Watch.
🪨 Where Granite History Meets the Atlantic
Explore a historic quarry, climb a WWII tower, discover tidepool creatures, and gaze across oceans to Maine—all at the tip of Cape Ann. Visit the official Halibut Point State Park website for current hours and program schedules.
Explore More Massachusetts State Parks
Halibut Point State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Massachusetts. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Massachusetts guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
