Jackie's Secret Vineyard Sanctuary Now Open

More than 330 acres of a private estate once owned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her daughter, Caroline Kennedy, has opened to the public on Martha's Vineyard. The Squibnocket Pond Reservation, which includes the former Red Gate Farm, now offers access to natural landscapes previously enjoyed in privacy.

The expansive property features windswept moors, creeks, and a half-mile-long exclusive swimming beach. Visitors can explore trails, including one that skirts Squibnocket Pond, and even peer into an old hunting cabin where Onassis hosted lunches. Kayaks are planned for availability on the pond next year.

Access to the reservation is deliberately restricted to preserve its secluded nature. Only 10 parking spaces are available daily at the south entrance, requiring an online reservation. This limited access, coupled with sparse cellphone service and the presence of ticks, contributes to the area's remote feel.

Originally purchased by Onassis in 1978 for $1.1 million, the land was later sold by Kennedy and her husband in 2020 for $27 million to conservation groups. While the family retained their home and 95 surrounding acres, the preserve was sited to maintain their privacy.

The opening of this significant natural area also highlights ongoing discussions about land use and conservation. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) expressed a desire to have been consulted regarding ancestral lands, while some local officials noted the island's affordable housing crisis and questioned conservation groups' responsibilities to surrounding communities.