Great hike! This hike is easy and the length is 1.2 mi, it might take 30 minutes to walk around. The huge surprise was that you can let your dog walk without the leash. A lot of people bring their dogs. This hike has a lake where your dog can swim. Nature is beautiful, when you are walking around you could hear the woodpeckers. The only problem is parking. There are not a lot of parking spots, and if you go there, there are only residents parking on the weekends. There is no additional parking available for people who just visiting the park. read more

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First time here, but I don't know a single person that hasn't recommended it without rave reviews. PROS: Trails. Great for off leash dog walking. There were tons of dogs roaming about, owners right on their heels, so no worries about unattended animals. Clean(er) ponds, since they're connected to flowing water sources. There was only spot we saw where the water seemed stagnant. Most everywhere else it was relatively clean. It's not crystal blue Caribbean waters, obviously, but for your dog to swim in, it's good. CONS: Parking seemed tight. Found a spot, but it looks like local residents are not happy about street parking for overflow, so there were signs prohibiting street parking. This was at the Drabbington entrance. I'm sure there's another entrance I don't know about. OVERALL: My new gold standard for off leash hiking. read more

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This place used to be popping: full of off-leash dogs and happy people, well-manicured fields and trails, easy parking. But with the main parking lot now restricted to Weston residents only, my poor pup has been finding playmates few and far between. Also, I don't think the grass has been mowed once this entire summer. The fields look like some jungle bush that you might find in South America. Needless to say, with all the tick grass and the fun new E. coli outbreak in the pond, we haven't been going back quite as frequently. With that said, this park used to be a favorite of ours. It's one of the few off-leash parks in the area and boasts a great nature scene. We loved to walk through the easy trails, play on the fields, and visit the dogs at the doggy "beach" portion of the pond. It's still a great way to get some energy out of a feisty canine, or kid for that matter. So, if you still want to give Cat Rock a shot and don't have a Weston resident sticker on your car, try parking on a street that rhymes with "Lindian Bill Toad". Gotta at least try to keep it somewhat discrete for the locals who don't want the secret out of where to park. read more

Cat Rock Park - A little dead snake found while walking through Cat Rock. Lots of interesting critters if you look out for them. - Dog Parks Near Me - Weston, Massachusetts

A very fun trail that leads to an open field where dogs can play with each other! It is an off-leash park, but only after you cross the bridge. Parking can be difficult if there are a lot of people. It doesn't matter if you come during peak hours or not, because a lot of people go! Your dogs can also go swimming in a small pond. read more

Everyone must be trying to keep this place to themselves but now that the temperatures are rising there are a lot of hairy friends of the 4 legged variety whose owners need to know there's a place for dogs to swim in the area! Cat Rock Park is a nice secluded little park with several trails (which are unmarked but cleared so clearly trails) and a decent sized pond for dogs to swim in. We weren't entirely sure our puppy could swim but she had so much fun in some low lying swampish water at the Middlesex Fells Reservation (not the reservoir water so don't get your panties in a bunch!) that we had to find someplace to take her. Unfortunately all the beaches we looked up were only dog friendly Oct-May (if at all), the place way out in Framingham was kind of blah, and you have to be a Cambridge resident to let your dog off leash in Fresh Pond (boo!). Our searches led us to Cat Rock Park and we couldn't be happier. There have apparently been some dog walker overcrowding issues (says the internet) but we haven't seen the apparent messes they leave behind and have only seen a dog walker once in our travels (we usually only go on the weekend though) so that might have been resolved. Anyway- this is our favorite place to take our dog. It's a beautiful areas and she's loving the water in the summer and frolicking in the woods. read more

Cat Rock Park - By the pond - Dog Parks Near Me - Weston, Massachusetts

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Since moving to downtown Waltham this summer our poor pup has been woefully neglected in terms of exercise walks - it seems every sidewalk is full of broken glass or trash, so it's usually more bother than its worth to take her out for a long stroll. (Sorry Waltham, but your sidewalks stink.) Cat Rock Park to the rescue! Our dog is a rescue and is rather shy when it comes to people (dogs are fine) so we were thrilled to discover Cat Rock Park - a friendly dog walking and hiking and swimming destination that allows dogs to be off-leash while on the trails. There were lots of dogs and owners walking their dogs this weekend, but it wasn't too crowded - and the scenery was awesome. Our dog had a blast! This will now become a weekly occurrance - and we didn't have any problems with dog waste or see anyone not pick up after their dog, we were quite impressed. read more

5 stars. We were really blown away. This is a secret gem, so I hope not too many people read this review! This off-leash park is really large, with beautiful scenery. There's also descent parking (free). The only negative aspect was that some people didn't pick up after their pups, and those that did sometimes left the bags on the side. It wasn't a lot, but it was noticeable. No way does that detract from its overall awesomeness though. 5 stars! read more

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Desmond and I have been here a few times now; a couple of times in the early Spring and just yesterday, mid August. It's been great every time. There are tons of trails, open areas for playing fetch, and even water for the pups to cool off in. The trails are marked really well to keep you on track. There aren't any poop stations so bring a bag and plan to carry it with you until you leave where you'll find trash cans. The trails are well maintained so don't ruin it for every one by forgetting a bag or being lazy! No one likes to walk in, smell, or see random dog poop. My favorite part are the trails covered by trees that are as tall as you can imagine. It's just gorgeous and provides so much shade. Parking can be a bit of a situation on a gorgeous day when everyone wants to be there as there are only so many parking spaces and street/grass parking is not allowed. I came once and only had to wait a little bit before getting a spot, but I can imagine it could take much longer on other days. Otherwise, Dezzie and I will definitely make the 25 min trek from Brighton many more times to enjoy this beautiful park. read more

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In my opinion, there isn't a better place to take your dog in Greater Boston than Cat Rock Park. The trails are beautiful and well maintained, the park is natural yet clean...but above all, it has a great culture to it. It's clear that everyone there cares about the safety and well being of their dogs and others. I feel safe letting my dog off leash here, knowing that he won't run into aggressive dogs with negligent owners and that the people in the park are all looking out for one another to a certain extent. It's rare to find a place like this so close to Boston, somewhere that lets dogs roam off leash while maintaining a level of control and safety. Other reviewers have (accurately) described this park as "doggy heaven" and "Disneyland for dogs." My dog leaves here happy and tired, and that's as much as any dog owner could want. Plus, I can walk the trails with him and enjoy nature, so it's a win-win. The reason I give it only 4 stars is for the lack of fencing around the dam area. My lab managed to sneak under the minimal wood fencing and jumped into the muddy section of the dam, which has quite a strong current that sucks the water out to a waterfall. He's a good swimmer but completely panicked when he felt the current pushing him under, and my boyfriend had to fish him out. Moments later, our friends who had come with us had to fish their Golden Retriever out of the same spot. Hopefully the town is aware of this and can provide a more secure barrier around the dam to prevent further stress. Overall, though, this is my favorite park in the area (and my dog's too!) read more

Nice place to find a little hidden spot and smoke some weed nude in nature! Lots of spots to go sans clothing and not be seen. The few times I have been seen, the people were cool about it and carried on with their business. read more

GREAT place for dogs. YES you can bring your dog there 7 days a week. It is NOT TRUE parking is just for Weston residents. That is only part true on weekends at the Drabbington entrance. You can still park at Drabbington Monday to Friday AND at the other entrances on weekends (at the back of the Verizon parking lot, off of Lexington near the Cambridge School of Weston on the east side, or on the west side near what I think might be called Indian Rd?). Lake, 100s of acres, big open field, happy kind dog lovers and owners. read more

This park is nice and so much fun with all the friendly dog visitors :) great to run off some energy for you or mostly your dog hehe read more

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Heartbroken!! I loved this park. They recently restricted Drabbington Way parking lot to Weston residents only! And without any explanation! My municipality offers park and open spaces to all, not just to the residents. I wish if there was a problem the municipality had requested help before taking such extreme measures. It looks like the park was put in a trust around 1957 - maybe 1930 ( Weston Property Tax Map, https://www.mapsonline.net/westonma/index.html#x=-7936616.260149,5218204.886396,-7933023.71982,5220211.358388 ) The Middlesex Registry of deed has some additional information, http://www.masslandrecords.com/MiddlesexSouth). In 2016 (but not recorded until 2018) the City voted that the Conservation Commission would manage the property. And in 2018, the town voted to limit parking to Weston residents only (both the Conservation Commission and Recreation Commission were consulted) https://www.weston.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08282018-4404 Does anyone know who the intended beneficiaries are of the original trust or to any of the additional gifts of land? Is there any recourse to reverse the parking ban? Has anyone had luck getting in from another access point? read more

We used to love this park, but the residents of this street have left a bad taste in our mouth. The street used to take on parking overflow, but now there are no parking signs everywhere. In addition, the painted lines have made less and limited parking spaces. Unless you come here at the crack of dawn on the weekend, don't expect to find a parking space. To the residents of Drabbington Way: Wouldn't you rather have a parked car in front of your house instead of half a dozen idling cars? read more

This was one of the nicest places to take my dogs for off-leash romps in the woods. I say "was" because apparently we are no longer welcome. The town of Weston has recently, and unanimously, voted to make the parking lot for town residents only. See https://www.weston.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08282018-4404 and scroll down to the section where this is discussed. Wow. Unless you can afford to live in Weston, apparently you and your dog, are not persona and canis ingrata! :( read more

This place is a dog heaven! My boyfriend and I first came this spring after I found it on yelp and were not disappointed. Parking can be tough and you often have to wait a bit for another person to leave to park (hence the minus one star). (Side note: kind of crazy that the residents of this road are so against street parking that there are TONS of signs - IMO having people parked on the road comes with the territory of living near a park). HOWEVER - worth the wait. You enter the trails and cross over a bridge at which point you can let your pups off leash. About 1/4 mile along the way, there is a pond where you can find dogs swimming and fetching balls and sticks. Keep going and you'll find a huge field where there are often TONS of dogs running and playing and chasing. No poop stations, so bring your own bags and hold on to them until you leave! read more

Today was urban dog owners' heaven. I've finally found a place near the city that is dedicated to the well-being of dogs, and those that love them. Wide woodland paths, deep streams, fields and a big pond that sustains a lot of wildlife while giving dogs access to fresh water for drinking and playing. It would be great to bring kids to run with their dogs, but ... there are a lot of dogs so proceed knowing that. I saw so many joyful dogs and I've never seen my young dog run so fast, so far and with such happiness. You have to go through a quiet residential street - so don't drive fast and freak the neighbors out. And always ... be a good citizen, bring a bag and scoop the poop vigilantly. There are no discernible trashcans or poop bag stations. But that's ok - the city dedicated so much money and time into this, we can all be glad to do our small part. read more

Cat Rock Park is a great option for off-leash walks/runs. Parking can be tough at times, but generally not an issue. There are very large fields, streams and a pond. I have not seen any bikers or joggers, which makes this park optimal for off-leash walks. read more

Was curious to try out a new park with our new pup and had heard good things. Cat Rock park is easy to find and the parking lot is spacious and shady. And well, a little stinky. You know dogs pee here the minute you open your door. Once we got to the path we weren't sure where to go. The notice board at the trailhead only had warnings for dog walkers to be licensed, and I didn't see a map. However, some friendly people and their dogs pointed us the way to the pond. We crossed a bridge over a rushing stream and headed up a wide dirt road. The air cleared a bit and we were eager to explore. The pond was easy to find, and there are little side paths all over. I would recommend staying to the larger paths though since poison ivy is rampant. After the pup dipped her toes in the water, we circled the pond and came to a large field. A brief picnic then we continued up into the forest, across some medium rocky hills, and back down again into a mowed field. This would have been a better place to picnic! We circled back across the field and the way we came. A good afternoon of hiking and exploring. Most of the people were very friendly, and most of the dogs were friendly and well-behaved. Our pup is leashed since she doesn't know her name from 'hey!' but most dogs here are off-leash. The paths were pretty clean, although I did spot a couple of missed cleanups. The poison ivy is a worse problem, you have to watch your step and stay on the path. A bench or two overlooking the pond would be a great addition for the people who bring their pups... maybe even a picnic table? Otherwise, we'll be back again to explore. read more

Great place to bring your four legged friends Tons of trails to walk/jog on- huge open fields for the dogs to play together/ and a small swimming area for warm days Yes there sometimes are poop bags along trail- but I definitely wouldn't say much at all. I used to go 5 times a week and only saw them about twice a month- just grab them and throw them away if someone forgot : ) Oh and this place is MAINLY for dogs with their owners so if you don't like dogs I suggest you do your jogging somewhere else : ) read more

Wonderful place for a dog to roam and swim off-leash. Perfect in all seasons. The trails also offer a good way for humans to get their walk in. The size of this place makes it a great outing for the family. read more

Regret that I never took my recently deceased golden retriever Sawyer here; he would have enjoyed all the company and the swimming hole. BUT my two-year-old Puerto Rican street dog is very grateful that we recently discovered Cat Rock. The trails are lovely and the pond is much cleaner than at Centennial Park in Wellesley, our normal hangout. It's always full of playmates, and you can make a complete loop without leaving the shade very often. Other reviews have covered this adequately, but the parking situation can be very tricky. Also there's a sign warning about coyotes on the north side of the pond but that is apparently only a major concern at night. read more

Great park for a stroll with the dog even during those warm summer days. Except for the open field area and old ski hill, it's relatively shady. The water in the pond is very decent when compared to the questionable waters in little Fresh Pond over in Cambridge. During the winter after a snowfall, it's a nice place to x-country ski or snowshoe with the dog. read more

We love taking our two dogs here to get their exercise and socialize. Parking can be an issue at times though which is frustrating. read more

Cat Rock Park - Dog Parks Near Me - Weston, Massachusetts

Just moved into town with my pooch. We have checked out a few parks, but this is by far the best! Great exercise for us both. Plenty of trails and places to sniff. The trails are off leash and there is plenty of space to roam around. read more

Our dog Ruby loves this place. She can run leash free through the wooded trails. The trails are a nice hike for my wife and I as well. If you have a dog I would highly recommend. read more

This is a great place for dogs, the trails are beautiful and easy to hike. There is a pond with a rocky shore, which makes it easy for the dogs to go into. There are lots of friendly people with their well behaved dogs off the leach. There is free parking and plenty of garbage cans in the way to throw out the dog poop on the way in or out of the park. We can't wait to go back and check out the park during different seasons. read more

Cat Rock Park - Our dog loved playing here. - Dog Parks Near Me - Weston, Massachusetts

Recently moved to MA from VT, where hiking was the amazing. I wasn't expecting to find a nice place near the city to take my dogs for a good hike, but this place is great! Quiet, green, not too crowded & dogs can be off-leash. My pups had a great time meeting lots of other dogs & getting a good bit of exercise! We will definitely be going back often! read more

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This is the best off leash dog park around. There are trails, a big pond, and a field where you can find dogs of all shapes and sizes. The dogs that show up are well behaved and their owners are attentive to what's going on. Parking can be tight on the weekends but there is a good turn over so if you wait a spot will open up. They do ticket sometimes so take the no parking signs seriously. read more

Cat rock is everything I want and need for my dog to get off leash time in a big area within a reasonable distance from Boston (Brighton). I love going year round. It's perfect because we can walk around and have space to keep to ourselves, but if my dog wants to play with other pups or I want to chat with other pet parents, nearly everyone has been really friendly and laid back. Boston dog parks have left a sour taste in my mouth with uptight and rude owners who form little cliques, so I was relieved to find that people who frequent cat rock are much more reasonable overall, and I don't have to stress about that. If a couple dogs don't seem to get along or want to interact, you can just keep walking and move on. The only spot that can get a little iffy in the summer is the main swimming area - it gets crowded and most people bring toys, so I tend to stay away because mine doesn't do well when toys, swimming, and an overwhelming number of dogs are put together. He swims from other spots around the pond instead. Like others have said, parking is limited but even being second or third in line, I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a spot to open up. It's worth the wait. If you go in the winter though there's usually plenty of space and you'll get the park almost to yourself as well (at least in my experience going on weekdays). read more

Cat Rock Park - Dog Parks Near Me - Weston, Massachusetts

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Excellent park with lots of trails. My dog is not quite ready for off leash, but we still enjoy exploring the many parts of Cat Rock. The trails could be a little better marked but there are some great trails, even some good size hills. Lots of friendly dogs. We USED to love finishing our time with some off leash time in the old baseball field (it is never used and clearly abandoned by Weston Little league) but the b@$%* that lives at the end of the street clearly made a big deal about dogs using the field and had the town put up signs banning dogs from using the field. She is quite nasty and ready to run out if her house and threaten to call the PoPo if you step foot on the field, even if it was just the first day of said ban and you are just walking across the field to your car in the lot. It seems a shame since the land is getting no other use and the dogs were enjoying it. read more

PSA! Very limited parking spaces available that fill up very quickly. Instead of waiting in line for a space to free up or park on the street you should go to another nearby dog friendly park 5 minutes away!!! Burchard Park at 269 Concord Rd, Weston is much better, it has multiple parking lots that are right on the edge of a large plot of woods/hiking trails. There is also a pond. Extremely dog friendly, off leash is permitted if your dog is under voice control. The residents on Drabbington Way are known for calling the police for cars parking on the streets and those cars being ticketed. Burchard Park has much more parking and hiking trails available, as well as bathrooms and a snack bar during the summer time. read more

This place is wonderful! It's less than 30 minutes from Cambridge. Between it's large size and the fact that parking is limited, it never feels crowded. There are meadows, trails through a pine forest, a large pond, and a couple of streams. It always feels clean and safe; the folks who come here seem to be some of the most conscientious dog owners out there. Poop is always picked up, dogs come when called, and spats are rare and quickly handled. I love watching my dog meet other pups, play in the grass, and smell all the smells. If you're coming on a weekend, try to come early in the day or you'll have to wait for parking. read more

Took a friend's dog there, she was ridiculously happy! Haven't noticed a problem with people not cleaning up after dogs. Great pond, great paths in the woods, some nice but small hills, a great meadow. Fun even without I dog. I work across the street from it and it is well loved by our school community. Students have even made art about it! read more

Very pretty but lots of bugs and also teenagers may sneak in to smoke "clove cigarettes" so be wary.

Had a great time here with my pup and toddler. Great way to get everyone out and about and get some exercise!

So, this an off leash park not fenced like yelp suggests. It is right by a quiet neighborhood. Lots of trails. Some poop that's not picked up. Trash for poop ridiculously overflowing. read more

Great place to walk and have your canine friend. You can go to the damn if your dog wants to swim, otherwise you have acres of walking through fields, up and down hills or just waking through the trees. It's in a bit of an odd location( you'll think you're lost if you gps) but really it's all there. Worth my hour drive to get there read more

I am always looking for new places to take my dogs, especially off leash since I have 3 and it's just so much easier. Typically it's hard to find a place that can accommodate their energy levels (I have two Bassets and a shepherd/lab mix). When I read the reviews calling this place Disney for dogs I loaded them up and made the hour and a half drive. It was perfect, the trails were easy enough for the Bassets and the shepherd got her fix of swimming and playing frisbee. There was an adorable little girl selling dog cookies and lemonade at the entrance that day too so they got an extra treat. I couldn't believe how many dogs there were and all so well behaved. I'll make the trip again for sure! read more

Beautiful park! I've been taking my dog here for almost 2 years! year round fun and exercise off leash for us both. Well preserved, well taken care of and friendly people. All in all a great place for you and/or your puppy if you have one. read more