The park houses Pioneer Village, built in 1930 as the nation’s first living history museum.
The Pioneer Village site was used as a filming location for the 1993 movie Hocus Pocus.
The park contains the campus of the Salem State University School of Social Work.
The site includes a designated saltwater swimming area with seasonal lifeguards.
The park landscape transitions from manicured recreational lawns to protected coastal salt marsh habitats.
Forest River Park is a 30-acre municipal park located on the shores of Salem Harbor in Massachusetts. The grounds feature two distinct saltwater beaches, a swimming pool, and a large playground area for children. It serves as a base for the Forest River Conservation Area, which encompasses additional wooded walking trails. The park is home to the Pioneer Village, a living history museum reconstructing a 1630s Puritan settlement. Visitors can access picnic pavilions equipped with grills and seating. The waterfront offers views of Salem Sound and surrounding coastal geography. The site is situated on a peninsula, providing access to diverse coastal habitats.
The wooden structures and dirt paths within Pioneer Village provide a unique historical backdrop.
Bring water shoes to navigate the rocky sections of the shoreline.
Check the tide charts before visiting, as the beach area is significantly larger at low tide.
Pack bug spray if you plan to walk the wooded conservation trails.
Do not attempt to swim at the beaches during the off-season when lifeguards are not on duty.
Pioneer Village is a seasonal attraction typically operating from late spring through early autumn; park grounds remain open year-round.
Carry-in, carry-out trash policy applies; keep dogs leashed at all times.
