Address
695 Hillside St., Milton, MA 02186
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Details of Blue Hills Reservation
Overview of Blue Hills Reservation
Located only minutes from the bustle of downtown Boston, the DCR Blue Hills Reservation stretches over 7,000 acres from Quincy to Dedham, Milton to Randolph, providing a green oasis in an urban environment. Rising above the horizon, Great Blue Hill reaches a height of 635 feet, the highest of the 22 hills in the Blue Hills chain. From the rocky summit visitors can see over the entire metropolitan area. With its scenic views, varied terrain and 125 miles of trails, the Blue Hills Reservation offers year-round enjoyment for the outdoor enthusiast.
Hours for Blue Hills Reservation
Dawn to dusk
Parking at Blue Hills Reservation
Visitor parking is free at the Houghton's Pond parking lot.
Maps and information are available at park headquarters. (10 minute parking)
Activities at Blue Hills Reservation
Hiking and walking
Explore hiking trails that will take you up rocky summits, through forests and meadows, and along scenic waterways.
Mountain biking
Blue Hills Reservation has a huge network of wide carriage roads and rolling rocky trails that are perfect for all levels of mountain biking.
Swimming
Visit scenic Houghton's Pond Recreation Area for a fun day of swimming, fishing, or a family picnic.
Skiing
Cross-country ski on park trails if snowfall allows or head to the Blue Hills Ski Area for downhill skiing. The season generally runs from mid-December to mid-March
All Activities at Blue Hills Reservation
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Horseback riding
- Camping
- Swimming
- Boating (non-motorized)
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Golfing
- Cross-country skiing
- Downhill skiing
- Rock climbing
Facilities at Blue Hills Reservation
- Athletic fields - CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Educational programs- CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Grills- CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Historic sites
- Lifeguard
- Museum- CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Observatory - CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Pavilion
- Picnic areas- CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Restrooms- CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Science center- CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Visitor center- CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
Accessibility at Blue Hills Reservation
- Hiking
- Paved trails
- Picnicking- CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Restroom- CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
- Swimming
- Visitor center- CLOSED to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19
Restrictions at Blue Hills Reservation
- Boats are only allowed on Ponkapoag Pond, Canton.
- Dogs must remain on-leash
- Dogs are not allowed on beach at Houghton Pond
More info for Blue Hills Reservation
Visit Houghton's Pond inside Blue Hills Reservation for some summer swimming and fishing activities!
Out of an abundance of caution due to Covid-19, DCR has made the following changes to support public safety and social distancing at Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area for Summer 2020.
Picnic Site Information
DCR and Reserve America are not accepting reservations for picnic sites and large group use at Houghton’s Pond this summer. All picnic tables and grills have been removed from the picnic areas. Families and small groups (10 people or less) may picnic on site but you must bring your own tables, chairs and grills as needed. Carry out all that you carry in or use the proper trash receptacles on site. There are 5 large picnic areas encircling the pond (see map). Picnic space is available on a first come, first served basis.
There are also three public parking lots around the pond. Note the lots can fill quickly during summer months. Additionally, some parking has been limited to encourage social distancing. Public safety is a priority. Please plan accordingly and follow all posted signage.
Ballfield Info
All league permits and group use permits for the ballfields have been cancelled for Summer 2020
Blue Hills Deer Management Program
Learn more...
About the Blue Hills
The Blue Hills were so named by early European explorers who, while sailing along the coastline, noticed the bluish hue on the slopes when viewed from a distance. More than ten thousand years before those Europeans arrived, Native Americans made their home in the hills. The Natives referred to themselves as Massachusett, or "people of the great hills". Eventually the Europeans began settling in this region. The colonists built houses and barns, cleared fields for crops and livestock and logged the hillsides for lumber.
In 1893, the Metropolitan Parks Commission purchased the lands of Blue Hills Reservation as one of the first areas set aside for public recreation. Today, the reservation is rich in both archaeological and historic resources. Sixteen historic structures listed on the National Register tell the fascinating tales of Native Americans, explorers, farmers, quarry workers and inventors. Additionally the Blue Hills Weather Observatory, a National Historic Landmark, sits atop Great Blue Hill, as a crowning feature.
The living treasures of the Blue Hills include flora, fauna and natural phenomena – from coyotes to copperheads, dogwoods to lady's slippers, and turkey vultures to dragonflies. Trails traverse upland and bottomland forests, marsh, swamp and pond edges, meadows and an Atlantic white cedar bog. A great variety of plant and animal life thrive in the diverse habitats, including several rare and endangered species in Massachusetts, such as the timber rattlesnake.
