Dogtown is a vast, historic woodland spanning approximately five square miles within Gloucester and Rockport. This protected municipal watershed includes Goose Cove and Babson Reservoir and remains undeveloped to preserve its natural and cultural heritage.

Steeped in history, Dogtown was home to the 17th century Commons Settlement, established in 1642 and thriving for more than a century as one of Gloucester’s most prosperous inland communities. As the population shifted toward the coast in the early 1800s, the settlement was abandoned, leaving behind cellar holes, stone walls, and enduring legends.

Over the years, Dogtown’s rugged beauty has inspired generations of artists, writers, and historians. Painters like Marsden Hartley and Fitz John Sloan found inspiration in its wild landscape, while poet Charles Olson drew on its mystery and lore. Its dramatic glacial boulders and natural formations remain a source of creative inspiration today.

One of Dogtown’s most unique attractions is the Babson Boulders, massive rocks engraved in the 1930s with motivational sayings such as “Courage” and “Never Try Never Win,” commissioned by philanthropist Roger Babson.

For those eager to explore, Cape Ann Trail Stewards and other organizations have improved and marked some of the key trails, including the Commons Road Trail and Babson Boulder Trail, while many paths remain unmarked or overgrown. This balance of accessibility and wilderness helps maintain Dogtown’s wild and mysterious character, but makes a trail map or GPS essential.

The Cape Ann Museum also offers seasonal walking tours of Dogtown, providing deeper insight into its layered history, cultural significance, and natural wonders.

Whether you are drawn by history, geology, art, or the desire for a quiet woodland adventure, Dogtown is one of Cape Ann’s most fascinating and untamed treasures.

Download the Dogtown map.