This large park has many maintained hiking trails for runners/joggers/bicycles and of course people and pets. Depending where you go in the park, there is a lot of bio-diversity. It is also a little obscure and gets much less foot traffic. Bring a printed map from the net. read more

We were looking for an activity for the kiddos. Decided on Callahan State Park and parked off the Edmondon road. There are many different trails. We stayed on the main train from the middle of park and went south to Rock Road over a newish looking bridge. We turned back around after one hour with two young kids. We all had a lot of fun, especially the youngest walking through mud. read more

I went here for a hike with my little pup and I was so surprised how big this park was! I somehow managed to hike with my dog for 3 hours in the park. Granted we were lost. We actually planned on only staying for 45 mins but somehow wandered on the other end of the park! I couldn't figure out how to get back to my car from the other end of the park so I ended up walking 50 mins via the main road to get back. Helpful tips: Remember what parking end you parked at Remember the trail names you're passing so you know how to get back to your car read more

Callahan State Park - Parks Near Me - Framingham, Massachusetts

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This is a really nice local park. If you have a dog, this is a perfect place to walk with. Even though I don't have a dog, still nice to walk and see excited dogs. I will come back in spring and falls for the different scenery. read more

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Fantastic park for mountainboarding. BIG Problem is every boneheaded dog owner ignoring leashlaws. We were chraged 3 times by off leash dogs!!!!! read more

Beautiful park. Thanks to yelp reviews recommending the Edmands St parking - we saw almost no people and barely any dog poop. We did see like 7 snakes, a frog, large birds, etc. Great hiking area, lots of unusual vegetation too. Parking wasn't busy. read more

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Park is lovely, but full of tone deaf/irresponsible dog owners. We went this afternoon with our two pups. A dog off leash, not under voice command, jumped all over us. She had a bleeding open wound on the side of her nose. Her owner was unconcerned, as my son and I left covered in blood as did another hiker. We all pointed out concerns, she didn't care. Great that dogs can be off leash, but be prepared. Lots of dog owners can't/won't control dogs. read more

Amazing trails to get lost in Awesome doggy play areas Great escape from the city life Beautiful streams and even got to see a deer Love love love this place for walks/hikes read more

Although I grew up a mere 5 miles from the park, it wasn't until some Cambridge friends dragged me out there to film a kung-fu dance video that I discovered the wonder that is Callahan State Park. Located across from a golf course and in the middle of a residential neighborhood, Callahan is one of the few off-leash dog parks in the area. That's right - off leash. At the entrance are instructions for pet owners and plastic bags aplenty so you can pick up after your dog. There's a pond, fields galore, and quiet hiking trails for miles. A few pervy pervs have staked out the woods for a little exhibitionism, but as far as I know, no bodies have been dumped there - at least not recently. In the summer many of the fields are used by local farmer for crops like corn. I've been tempted to steal an ear or two come August, but self restraint has always won out in the end. This park is one of the best-kept secrets of Metro West. One girl I spoke to in the park told me that when she was a teenager, she and her friends used to run away to the park and camp out for days. And who says New Englanders aren't friendly? From the Website: Callahan State Park is a 820-acre day use area located in Northwest Framingham. Callahan has seven miles of marked trails and is used for activities including fishing, hiking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Within the park are nearly 100 acres of open fields, 70 acres of which are currently under an agricultural lease. And Daniela, how 'bout letting EVERYONE know through your OWN review that this 'isn't a dog park'. Sigh. You DCR people really need to figure out how to communicate with your constituents (we pay your salaries, after all) without coming off like prissy cry-babies. read more

Callahan is a Great place to take a dog! All these negative remarks about dogs are just nonsense. There are trails everywhere in this area for walkers, this is the one local spot where dogs can legally run off-leash. So if you are afraid of dogs, just go ANYWHERE else in the world to take a walk... For those NOT afraid of dogs, this is a great place. They have doggie bags at the entrance, which has been filled about 99% of the time I have been there. But responsible dog owners have doggie bags in their car anyway. On a weekend day, we will see anywhere from 10-30 dogs during our visit. The Big dogs love to run around playing together. Some smaller dogs get nervous with all the big guys running around, so if you have an easily frightened pug or chihuahua, weekends may not be the best time to come. Or just stick to the trails. There's a small pond they love to jump into, a picnic table and tons of trails. We take our 5 year old daughter and 8 month old pit mix weekly. They both have a great time with no issues. True, it may be a public state park, but as the only local location for going leash free- It really is a great place for dogs and dog people :-) read more

This is a great place for walking/hiking. Make sure you have a map, it is easy to get lost. I'd recommend the millwood entrance if you have dogs, and the edmands rd. entrance if you are dogless. read more

This park is great, my dog absolutely loves it! Most of the people I meet here are incredibly nice and friendly, and people have been much better about picking up after their dogs lately. All the dogs I've met are pretty well behaved and I've been pleasantly surprised by how awesome the owners are about watching their dogs, unlike many other parks in the area. There is a dumpster on the way out that you can't leave without passing so it is easy to get rid of your poop bags before you go. Parking lot is pretty small though so it's best on weekends to get there kind of early. There's tons of wide open space for the dogs to play and lots of trails to explore. Some trails require dogs to be leashed but if that bothers you there are plenty of trails and spaces that don't. It's beautiful, peaceful, and the perfect place to get some exercise. read more

Great for hiking, snowshoeing, x-country skiing. There are 3 decent-sized parking spots. The most popular, near the golf course, fills first and seems to be most popular with dog owners. The dog thing isn't a big deal -- if you're not keep on them, avoid the little lake. If you're dogless and yearning, this is a great place to get your fill. Back on the trails, you see as many dogs as you would in any park that allows them. If you want fewer dogs and people, try the section north of Edmands Rd, much quieter and about the same size as the southern section. Both are pleasantly hilly, so you can get a good walk in. read more

Over the past few years I've logged a few hundred miles trail running here and make it a habit of exploring as many local, state, and federal parks within Massachusetts as possible. As a result I'm pretty familiar with the park and its "competitors". Callahan is one of the nicest and most diverse parks in Massachusetts. The DCR has done a great job balancing the delicate relationship between dog owners and non-dog owners as well as the walkers-bikers relationship. Unlike other parks and conservation land (Lincoln, MA springs to mind), there is very little conflict between sports; all are welcome. The south half (below Edmands Rd) can be pretty highly trafficked with dogs so plan to explore west or north if you're sans-canine or on a mountain bike. I have no notable cons and this is one of my favorites (among Great Brook and Wachusett State Parks). read more

I am out here often leading free family programs with the Appalachian Mountain Club, so I get to see this park frequently! First of all, Callahan is huge, at 820 acres, there's over 7 miles of trails through extremely diverse terrain, making it great for a short walk or an all-day hike. Beebe Pond on the north side of Edmands Road is one of my favorite spots in the park. In addition to the streams, ponds, forests and fields at Callahan, there's farmland too, that the DCR leases to local farmers. Sometimes you can see them planting or harvesting. The park offers maps to borrow from the kiosks at the park entrances. Parking at the Milwood lot can be competitive. I don't see nearly as many cars at the Edmands lot, which connects to the north and south sections of Callahan, and lets you get right on the Bay Circuit Trail. read more

My favorite place to walk in the MetroWest area. I love that there are so many different parts to explore. My favorite place to start is the Millwood St. entrance- turn right when you walk in to avoid the giant packs of dogs. The Edmands St. entrance has a giant hill that can make it a little difficult when the weather isn't great. read more

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Came here with my dog and she absolutely loved it! It's a great workout for people as well. Met some very friendly dog walkers and had a great time exploring a new place. Was very clean--no visible trash laying on the ground. The main deal breaker for me is that some of the trails are not labeled or the signs have fallen down, making it VERY easy to get lost. While there is a map in the parking lot, the times I have gone there have been no physical maps for people to take. I had to take a picture and guess where I was. read more

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It's not a dog park, but it's a great place to bring your dog. There is a big field next to a pond where people bring their dogs - and off-leash is allowed there. The dogs are typically well behaved and love to romp around with each other and go swimming on warmer days. Not to be overlooked, there are miles of beautiful, peaceful trails through the surrounding woods. On some of the trails, dogs must be leashed, but on most, it's not necessary. If you decide to go here, please pick up after your dog so that everybody can continue to enjoy the park, dog owners and non-dog owners alike. read more

Callahan State Park - Dogs have fun here. - Parks Near Me - Framingham, Massachusetts

After 2 days in the car driving from Cincinnati to visit family in the area, my 2 younger dogs needed to burn some energy. This park was amazing and did the trick! Trails to walk, other dogs to play with, creeks to get muddy in and a lake to rinse off in. All the other dogs we came across were very friendly, playful and well behaved. I also noticed there was a minimum poop ... Which is amazing considering the number of dogs we came across in our 2 hours frolicking! Can't say enough good things about this park! read more

My little pup LOVES it here and so do I! I take her here a few times a week for some good old fashioned puppy fun. The pond is such a great area because the dogs can be off leash and have so many opportunities to run around with other dogs as well as splash around in the water. When I take her home she is pooped and is always such a happy girl. Happy this place was recommended by a fellow owner because it is perfect! There are also plenty of walking options for people with less dog traffic! read more

Callahan State Park - My pup (right) having so much fun! - Parks Near Me - Framingham, Massachusetts

This place is ridiculous... in such a good way!!! When we moved to Framingham and got a puppy, I immediately sought out dog parks. When I saw a state park show up in the Yelp search results, I was confused but figured we would check it out. And I'm glad we did! Every time we go to Callahan, my mind is blown that this place exists. It's a mostly leash-free dog park that is actually a state park. There are hiking trails, a pond for the pups to swim in, plenty of open fields, farmland (so much corn!), and even more open space. Even if this wasn't a dog park, it'd get five stars for just being a great place to go for a hike, have a picnic, or do a trail run. In fact, I see plenty of non-dog-owners at this park going for runs or hiking in the woods. It's extremely photogenic, too. Every time we bring our pup here, he has a great time. He's not a fan of swimming yet, but he loves seeing and playing with other dogs around the pond and in the fields. He's made a lot of friends, and we have a good chance to chat with other area dog-owners. The only negative to Callahan State Park is the parking is pretty awful. The lot is far too small for the popularity of this place, so more often than not, we end up parking on the side of the road. I also wish that there was a water fountain in the park somewhere in the event I run out of water for our pup (or ourselves), but these negatives definitely are outweighed by the positives! If you're a dog-owner, take your pup here!! read more

Go with Caution!!! I'm a dog lover(background). I was sitting on the side of the road while a German shepherd sneaked over in what I see as half hunting mode. The owner was not far away and wasn't concerned at all. Somehow it got around one meter away from my back. I watched enough Wild Life shows to know the risk of show my back and neck. So I turned around to face the dog. Meanwhile it got more serious and took my shirt on the ground, and started shaking it around violently. I knew it was no ordinary dog that I usually saw around here. So I started questioning the owner about the dog behavior. She was still not concerned and slowly walked towards me, saying it might just want to play. Honestly I didn't feel she cared about my safety at all. Now the dog barked more intensely, and at one point almost got to my leg. All those time I stood still and tried to ask the owner about the dog behavior, indicating taking it away from me. She cared less, and slowly and half-assingly leashed the dog. I also saw a post on the entrance tree saying that the kid was a hurt by a dog whose owner was unknown and she had to be quarantined for 6 weeks for potential disease risk. I just hope some dog owners can be more responsible and care about the people a bit more, instead of just their dogs. read more

I love this place or should I say my dog does. 6 years ago The DCR agreed to let this be an unleashed dog park. However since that time they have done very little if next to nothing to updated signs And even there web site even though this was promised by the DCR director at the town hall meeting 6 years ago when this was all agreed to.............. The existing signs on Callahan's trails are misleading. These are the facts: * On-leash: Dogs are to be leashed in all parking areas and on all trails that abut private property. Dogs must not enter private property - ever! * Off-leash: romping is permitted on ALL interior trails and fields including n the Eagle Pond field. * Voice Control: Off-leash dogs must be supervised and under strict voice control. * Scoop the Poop: Pick up after your dog and discard the poop bag in a trash barrel (located in all parking lots year round, and at Eagle Pond in the summer months). Do not leave poop bags behind on trails, in the woods, at Eagle Pond, or...anywhere! A lot of dedicated dog loving people have put a long term effort into making this a great place for dogs and for everyone. There are no wild dogs hassling people that is a flat out lie! And everyone I know picks up there dogs poop. But For people like Dianne L this just isn't good enough but maybe if she had a dog she would not have turned out to be the angry self centered bitter my way or the highway type of jerk that she seems to have become but in her case I have to say Dianne I doubt it....... Maybe you should go back to MV where you must own the whole island and everyone serves you the way you feel that you should be treated even though you would never find the time to treat someone anyway but shitty yourself, God forbid if anyone has a different opinion then you or there will be Hell to pay. Dianne should you ever go the Callahan again maybe you should brush up on your facts first and ditch your hate for people and dogs or just go elsewhere! I noticed you called owners or off leash dogs pit bulls like you think they are mean vicious dogs when in fact you are completely and utterly wrong and uninformed again! Pit Bull are sweet loving wonderful dogs who like anything can be abused and mistreated by stupid uninformed people like yourself and Michael Vick. Callahan is was and always will be a dog park time for Dianne L and her buddies to get over it............................ read more

I love Callahan State Park. It is my go to place to just get away and clear my mind. Perhaps sitting at the top of beebee hill looking down on the tree line getting lost in a cool breeze. I have watched the seasons change and rounded a corner to be met by a flock of turkeys or a young buck. I have encountered very nice people who are hiking, biking, or dog walking. But, this year something has changed. Callahan is routinely used as a go to for dog walkers with packs of dogs. Sometimes these packs can be a bit intimidating although most walkers seem respectful. Then there are owners who's dogs are running way out of site and although may be friendly can intimidate someone who is not familiar with their pet or uncomfortable with dogs. I am uncomfortable with a dog jumping on me or around my legs (I don't want to get mud or water from a dog all over me). I do not know you dog and when a dog is running full speed at me well it makes for a tense moment and I'm here to relieve tension. Again, I have encountered owners who are incredibly respectful and leash their dogs when they see a hiker but this is the minority. Then there are the poop bags. They are tied to the trees like foul xmas ornaments or thrown on the top of the kiosks at the trail heads or then there are the walkers who don't even clean up after their dogs. Callahan has become what it proports not be, a dog park. So, dog walkers...you have won. You have made a Callahan a Dog Park. I'm sorry for those dog owners who have earned the privilege of walking their pets off leash but so many could care less and do not respect that other people (hikers, bikers, horse riders, etc.) would like to enjoy this park. I would say avoid Callahan as the Dog Owners have taken over. This makes me incredibly sad to write. read more

The dog area around the pond is pretty disgusting. After visit to vet she recommended we not take our lab mix there - she no longer allowed her dogs to go there. Trails can have feces due to owners who do not pick up. read more

Lots of great trails to hike. I hiked while pregnant and I love how quiet and serene it is and how many options for different trails that are varying levels of difficulty. They do a great job of keeping the park very clean and they maintain the land very well. read more

My dog is a fan. He can legally run off-leash, swim in the pond, and say hello to other dogs. Whenever we are there, we see people pickup their dog's poopies and we carry a couple extra bags in case other dog owners might need one. People who don't like dogs should appreciate Callahan because dog owners like to go here thereby leaving tons of other parks for people to go to so they can enjoy their non-dog hiking. read more

Very good place, especially if you have a friendly dog who wants to play with others near Eagle pond. Off-leash dogs are allowed in most of the land, plenty of space for them to roam. I was chafing at the high taxes in the towns in metrowest, but ever since I discovered this park it makes me feel a little better. Not so keen to move out anymore. ;) read more

I was a bit surprised there was a state park so close to where I live and work. It's more like a series of mini state parks between Marlborough and Framingham. I finally had some weather to check it out and enjoyed the trails here. Although you're never too far away from civilization, it does have plenty of trails to get you out into the wilderness. I have been to the dog area and likely will not but if you want to go for a short hike or want to mountain bike, this is a good option is you're nearby. There doesn't seem to be any restroom facilities but also no park entrance fees. Also trails are well marked and trail maps available at the parking lot. read more

Wonderful place to take your dog!! The park is huge and there's enough space for everyone! I don't understand why people are complaining about the dogs, I've been there several times and all the dogs I've seen are well behaved and their owners are very nice people. I go there every Saturday and Sunday morning and there are always at least 10 dogs at a time, so if you have a dog and you want him to get some exercise and this is the place to be. read more

Great park, go there all the time with kids and or dogs. have not met any dogs that are not well behaved. The only BIG problem is nobody is picking up after their dogs! read more

This place is nice if you want to take a hike. I went here a year ago with my fiancé and our dog. We actually got lost for over two hours in this park because we didn't know how to get out of the trail! Even though we were lost for quite sometime, it was really nice to enjoy the view of our scenery and enjoy "nature". I would definitely go for another hike but I'll make sure to bring some water! read more

I have been meaning to find a new place to walk my dog so that neither of us got bored. I finally went to Callahan State Park which is only 2 miles from my house yesterday and it was beautiful! Many friendly dogs and their owners. Some nice water holes for my dog to jump around in and some quiet paths for reflection. I had been told by others that they don't go to Callahan because it is over crowded by poorly trained dogs but I did not have that experience. I will say that for joggers or non-doggy outdoorsy people I would not recommend it... it really has been over run by dogs. read more

Beautiful pine needle trails through open fields and forests and by ponds.

Love it there. Wide open spaces, big and little paths, clean air and very dog friendly. Parking can be difficult but if you are looking for a change of pace and some unexpected natural beauty this is the place to visit. read more

i have no idea why people are on here complaining about the unleashed dogs. its allowed. its posted. check the signs before you open your mouth. i have never been "hassled" by any dogs there. all the dogs are well trained and get along very well. i bring my PITBULL (Diane L) all the time and he loves it. and he also loves to walk the trails (more like run the trails) I take personal offense to the comment that the owners turn into pitbulls when suggesting a leash. excuse me but what the hell is that supposed to mean? k thanks for being ignorant, have a lovely day. i pick up after my dog and so does everyone else. i've never stepped in anything or seen anything. tripped over a dog toy once, big deal. read more

I wish people would be better at picking up after their pets. We love to come here with our dog to let him get some off leash time with other dogs at the field. But you know what pisses me off? People who bring their kids to a dog park. I don't take my dog to your kids playground, don't take your kid to a dog park. Trails whatever, it's a family park, But keep your rug rats out of the clearing. There are so few places to let dogs be dogs and although my little angel is wonderful with people and other animals, he is not great with kids. I have seen toddlers walking around unsupervised and getting knocked over by animals. Seriously call dss. A dog park requires a good deal of vigilance from a dog owner, but I seriously would never bring my child there. End rant. read more

Dog poop park. Hard to walk, snow-shoe, cross-country ski, or bike through the trails without tracking poop. It's most disgusting during the winter-spring thaw when all that yellow snow and poop surfaces from the freeze. I wish the dog owners pick up after their dogs and stop treating this park as a dumping ground. read more

Best place in Mass to bring your dog. Clean, safe and beautiful! We have two pit bulls who need to let out energy and this place is perfect.. They do great here if the pond seems to be packed with dogs or even if we get lucky to have the place to ourselves. The off leash part makes it more laid back. You just have to walk a small path until you reach a huge open field where you can let them just run. It's far enough away from the street, not to worry. If your nervous because your dog is older or say smaller then the larger breeds running free then I'd suggest walking the trails there are a few spots where they can play in shallow waters. Dog owners at this park seem to always be alert of there pet. We were more nervous of other dog owners because of the breed we choose to love then dogs not playing well together. Everyone seems to be welcoming and friendly. This state park is perfect! read more

I've gone mountain biking around Callahan State Park a few times and I've never been disappointed, not like in some other parks that allow riders on horseback. Yes, dogs are allowed here, but if you somehow miss all of the dog-related signs at the park entrances, you won't know it. The park has many trails running through it, and I never saw a single dog there every time I've been to the park. There's quite a variety of terrain here, from challenging hills to bridges to level ground. The trails are fairly wide, meant to be used by several people at once, so don't expect any singletrack. If you don't have your heart set on the narrow trail, then by all means go - pack your gatorade and go have fun. read more