Houghton's Pond Recreation Area

Blue Hills Reservation Headquarters
695 Hillside Street

Milton, MA 02186
617-698-1802

Twenty-four acres in size and up to 42 feet in depth, Houghtons Pond is a spring-fed kettle hole pond formed by receding glaciers approximately 10,000 years ago. The Massachuseck Indians fished the pond and hunted the surrounding lands. From the colonial period through the late 1800's, several generations of the Houghton family farmed the area.

Today, the Houghtons Pond Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational activities including a supervised swimming beach, stocked fishing, 3 reservable picnic sites, 3 ball fields and a playground. The concession pavilion and the Visitor's Center are open seasonally. Restrooms and a first aid station are available during the summer at the bathhouse on the beach. Payphones are located by the main gate.

Swimming Area Information

The swimming area is supervised by DCR lifeguards in July and August, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days a week. All park visitors must follow the directions of the lifeguard and park staff at all times. Failure to do so will result in removal from the park.

Picnic Site Information

Groups of 25 or more must have a permit to use the picnic sites. The picnic area has 3 reservable sites with picnic tables and cooking grills. Portable grills are allowed in designated areas only. There are two picnic sites available on a first come, first served basis for families and groups of less than 25 only. There are 3 ball fields available with a permit.

Holiday Weekend Policy

Organized groups larger than 25 are not allowed on Memorial Day weekend, the week of Fourth of July, or Labor Day weekend. On these days all sites are on a first come, first served basis for families and small groups only.

Rules and Regulations

For your safety, please be aware of the following regulations:

• The parking lots close at 8 p.m. unless otherwise posted.
• No alcoholic beverages.
• Swimming is allowed only at the supervised beach at Houghton’s Pond. No swimming beyond, or hanging on the lines.

• No grills or open fires on the beach.
• Ground fires and wood fires are prohibited. Cooking fires of charcoal or propane are allowed in designated areas only.
• Pets must be leashed at all times and their waste removed.
• No horses or pets allowed on the beach or in the water at any time.
• No floatation devices.
• No masks or snorkels.
• No boats allowed on Houghton’s Pond.

• No balls or frisbees on the beach.
• No fishing from the beach.
• No littering.
• No amplified sound.
• No metal detectors.
• Disruptive conduct, including public nudity is forbidden.

• Destruction, injury or removal of animals, vegetation, artifacts or other state property is forbidden. 

All visitors must follow the direction of park personnel or police.  Any violation of these regulations may result in arrest and/or fine per order of MGL C 92, S.37.

Directions

By car:

Take exit 3 (Houghton's Pond, Ponkapoag Trail exit) from Rte. 93. Follow the signs to Houghton's Pond.

By public transportation:
MBTA:  The Great Blue Hill and Houghton’s Pond sections are accessible from the Red Line to Ashmont Station.  From Ashmont, take the high speed line to Mattapan. The Canton and Blue Hills bus services the Trailside Museum and Great Blue Hill on Route 138.  For the Houghton’s Pond area, exit the bus at Blue Hill River Road. Cross the road and walk one mile east on Hillside Street.  For directions to other areas of the reservation, please call (617) 698-1802.

Please call JBL Bus line’s at (781) 843-4505 for schedule and fee information. No Sunday service.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

In an emergency, please call 911.

For all other issues, please call the Blue Hills Reservation at (617) 698-1802 or the 24-hour radio dispatch at (617) 722-1188.

MISSING PERSONS In the event that a member of your party becomes lost, please contact a lifeguard or any park staff immediately. All swimmers will be instructed to leave the water and remain on the beach while the lifeguards conduct a water search.