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Though small in size, Back Shore exemplifies the wonderful scenery of Cape Ann with a spectacular view of its magnificent, rocky coastline. It's a perfect place to enjoy the view and savor the salt air.
Back Shore has long been a favorite locale for surf fishermen angling for striped bass, including Indigenous people, who for thousands of years thrived on Cape Ann shores. Maritime Archaic people hunted seals and walruses here 6,000 years ago, and later Eastern Woodland Indians known as Algonquians were setting surf and channel nets between headlands and harvesting sea bird eggs and feathers from offshore rookeries.
By around 1,000 CE Pawtucket people living in the Sayward Street area on Little Good Harbor River were coming to Back Shore for the striped bass fish runs in the spring.
Save Our Shores Gloucester and a group of concerned citizens created the opportunity for conservation and raised funds in 2016 to acquire the property and protect it from development.
In 2017, Save Our Shores Gloucester transferred the property to Greenbelt.
Greenbelt completed the installation of the granite bench for visitors to enjoy in 2020.
170 Atlantic Road, Gloucester. (opens in Google Maps)
Latitude: 42.6016860, Longitude:-70.6354880
From the north: from the intersection of Atlantic Road and Bass Rocks Road, travel 1.02 miles south on Atlantic Road. Property is on the left (ocean side) 0.05 miles past Eagle Road.
From the south: from the transition of Farrington Avenue to Atlantic Road, travel 0.65 miles north on Atlantic Road. Property is on the right (ocean side) 0.05 miles past High Topple Road.
There is no official parking, please follow the City of Gloucester's posted parking regulations.
