Beechwood Farm Loop

Beechwood Farm Loop Highlights Nantucket’s Wetlands and Coastal Heathlands

A guided exploration of Beechwood Farm offers a two-hour immersion into one of the island’s most ecologically diverse landscapes, set within the protected Middle Moors region managed by the Nantucket Islands Land Bank in Polpis.

The trail begins in upland meadow habitat featuring native black cherry, oak, and Eastern red cedar, reflecting the island’s coastal heathland ecosystem. These open areas provide a transition into more complex wetland environments as the route progresses.

A central highlight of the loop is the elevated boardwalk that crosses sensitive wetland terrain, including sphagnum moss beds and dense stands of cinnamon fern and sweet pepper bush. The surrounding canopy of black tupelo, red maple, and sassafras creates a lush, sheltered environment that contrasts with the open meadows.

The experience combines accessible walking paths with rich ecological variety, allowing visitors to observe intricate wetland systems while minimizing environmental impact. Over approximately two hours, the loop offers a compact yet immersive look at Nantucket’s “middle island” landscapes, where upland and wetland ecosystems meet in a carefully preserved natural setting.