# Plymouth Rock

> Plymouth Rock is a granite boulder on the Plymouth waterfront, traditionally regarded as the landing place of the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/plymouth-rock/

A granite boulder under a columned canopy on the Plymouth waterfront, traditionally linked to the Pilgrims' landing. The stop is short, so combine it with a stroll along the harbor and the Mayflower II replica nearby.

Plymouth Rock is a granite boulder on the Plymouth waterfront, traditionally regarded as the landing place of the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620. The Pilgrims themselves never mention it in their writings; it first appears in the town's boundary records in 1715, and in 1741 Thomas Faunce, then 94, identified it as the landing site. The rock is said to have weighed about 20,000 lb (9,100 kg) originally; roughly a third survives today. It split in two in 1774 during an attempt to move it, and in 1880 the pieces were rejoined at the shore and carved with "1620".

Since 1920 the rock has sat behind a grate beneath a Doric portico by McKim, Mead & White. It belongs to Pilgrim Memorial State Park, where guides are on hand to answer questions from April to November (as of October 2026). The visit is short, and a walk along the harbor is an easy addition. Allow only about 15 minutes for the rock itself.

- **Nearest town:** Plymouth, MA
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 41.9584, -70.6617

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Plymouth Rock – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Rock)
- [Plymouth Rock: Facts, History & Trivia – New England](https://newengland.com/?p=21167)

## Nearby

- [Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown](https://camping-spirit.com/places/pilgrim-monument-provincetown/) – 25 mi
- [Beacon Hill](https://camping-spirit.com/places/beacon-hill-boston/) – 35 mi
- [Cape Cod National Seashore](https://camping-spirit.com/places/cape-cod-seashore/) – 35 mi
- [Bristol Historic Downtown](https://camping-spirit.com/places/bristol-rhode-island/) – 37 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Plymouth Rock?

Plymouth Rock is in Plymouth, MA, at GPS 41.9584, -70.6617. It is about 26 mi from Provincetown.

### Can you camp near Plymouth Rock?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Pinewood Lodge & Campgrounds, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 14 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Plymouth Rock?

Places worth a stop nearby: Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown (25 mi), Beacon Hill (35 mi), Cape Cod National Seashore (35 mi) and Bristol Historic Downtown (37 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Plymouth Rock?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)