This place is extremely underrated. I happened to be in Wilmington for Habit burger and decidded to pull over and check out this gorgeous forest. The views were simply spectacular. I do not think it gets much better than this considering that you only have to go about 40 minutes out of the city. I saw a river otter within 10 minutes of parking my car and getting out! I believe most of this forest is along Harold Parker road and there is small dirt lots you can park on along this road. read more

Harold Parker State Forest - Parks Near Me - North Andover, Massachusetts

Harold Parker is a state forest with a campground and a couple of lakes that you can go fishing or kayaking and it also has 100 of trails and exploring horse back riding as well but it a good place to just enjoy nature and the sounds of the woods it's just a hidden gem to get away from the hustle and bustle of life read more

This is a hidden gem in the Massachusetts department of conservation and recreation park system. The campground is absolutely amazing. It has about 100 campsites and they are well-kept, each has its own grill and fire rink, and wooded. The restroom and shower facilities are clean, well-maintained, and newer. Well I didn't have a hot shower, most people say that they did. The campground has the feel of being in Vermont or New Hampshire. read more

Harold Parker State Forest - Parks Near Me - North Andover, Massachusetts

Been to Harold Parker the past two weekends, both times were great and absolutely worth the drive from Revere. Plenty of trails to choose from, some less challenging and some others with steeper inclines and more rocks. Almost all trails lead to some sort of beautiful water/pond view thats worth taking a few pics of. I usually spend about 2-3 hours here, especially during the fall when the trees are so beautiful! read more

Harold Parker State Forest - Parks Near Me - North Andover, Massachusetts

See all

Lol, the people complaining about gunshots and hunters are angsty leftist NPCs. Imagine letting gunshots/hunters ruin your walks/mtn bike rides through this amazing forest.. Gain some mental fortitude. The shooting range doesn't bother me at all. I go for walks in this forest sometimes, and it's honestly awesome. My favorite time to walk through it is when it's raining for some reason. I like the look of the wet road blending in with the tall trees surrounding it on both sides. Especially in the fall when the leaves are falling off the trees. P.S. Good thing I don't drink poisonous alcohol. read more

My first time here today, fishing with my dad :) We were at Stearns Pond and it wasn't good for fishing cause it was full of aquatic plants; too dense to fish in. So, we decided to try other spots and found Field Pond. Field Pond is a descent sized pond with a small parking lot with kayak or canoe access. You can fish from shore or venture out and there's trails you can bike on or hike. There's a good amount of traffic going through here, but it didn't take too much away from the scenery or peacefulness. Everybody seemed pleasant and friendly. If it's your first time here I suggest you go to the Park Headquarters and grab a map and other informational books or pamphlets. The map was a great help in finding other areas to explore. There's many side parking spots along the roads you can stop and park at while some areas are gated with parking in the outskirts as they're trying to prevent motorized vehicles from entering. Be prepared to walk to some destinations. I'm pretty excited about going back and exploring new things about this park. I'd definitely recommend visiting. Great for kids and families or even alone! Tip: age 62+ can get a free lifetime pass to ALL MA state parks and beaches that takes a fee. SWEET! Just bring your ID or license and show it to the office staff at headquarters and they will give you a tag to put on your dash. If you visit, hope you enjoy it as much as we did! read more

See all

This was a weird camping experience. I typically go to Nh state parks for camping. Which seems completely different. This campground has a no alcohol rule which is nuts. The fire pits were tiny and enclosed in ( see pictures) I could hardly get a fire going in the tiny thing. They had grills to the side of the campsite. They also had water at every site it seemed ? This place had lots of kids everywhere and baby's crying. It was cheap 17$ for mass resident so can't beat the price. And it seemed to have decent hiking trails and a nice lake / ponds for fishing The bathrooms were bright and totally different then Nh state park bathrooms. They also had an industrial sink outside bathrooms to wash your pans and pots etc which is pretty great. Firewood is $5 for a tiny bundle. I probably won't be back here unless it's to fish/hike or kayak in the lake nearby :) read more

Camped here last weekend and the site was very nice! I appreciate that every site has its own water spicket. Bathhouses were spotless and the campground is really nice to walk around. Dogs are welcome! I will definitely return here if I find myself needing a little nature escape. read more

Camp in the woods with 30 minute access to Salem, Gloucester and Boston. Good sized sites, nice ponds for fishing and swimming and pleasant little hikes. No power, but water at every site. Bathrooms have flush toilets and pull chain showers. No alcohol allowed, but a strange number of beer cans in the recycling. Hmm... read more

Harold Parker State Forest - Parks Near Me - North Andover, Massachusetts

Boasting spacious campsites and clean bathrooms and populated with attentive DCR employees, pleasant fishermen and back-to-nature families, Harold Parker State Forest is a fantastic place to go for the day or the weekend. It's less than 40 minutes from Boston, which makes it exceedingly convenient for city slickers that like getting out into nature for a little while. The trails are decent, if unmarked, and the roads in and out are just fine. Definitely worth a trip. Great spot. read more

Holy crap, the staff at Harold Parker State Forest was DELIGHTFUL! They were so nice and accommodating, I wanted to give them a great big hug. My friend and I arrived very late on a Friday night, way after check in, and they still managed to get us set up and were totally polite about it. One of the rangers gave us great tips on where to find kindling and good hiking locations. During our entire stay, I don't think I saw a single member of the staff that wasn't smiling and enjoying themselves. The site itself was a little unkempt. There were broken plastic forks and cigarette butts on the ground, but that's the laziness and rudeness of the patrons, not the fault of the staff. Most of the sites were well spaced out, though some are more secluded than others. We reserved ours late, and had a limited selection, but ended up with a really great site (218, if you're interested). It was set back more than some of the other sites, and there seemed to be more tree coverage. We were about a 5 minute walk from the bathroom, which was only annoying in the morning when I REALLY had to go. Unfortunately, the spaces are not secluded enough for going outdoors. My only compaints, and they're small ones, they didn't have kayak/canoe rentals, and the closest place that did was nearly a half hour away. Also, they have a very small space sectioned off for swimming. I was hoping for the something a little less restricted. All in all, it was great experience, and I would definitely go back. But not necessarily if I were looking for the full outdoors experience. read more

See all

A decent escape from the local, overpopulated suburbs for a quick taste of nature. I was pleasantly surprised by the ample parking throughout the park as well as the very minimal trash along trails. Although, I was a little disappointed in the lack of trail labels/signs denoting the length and name of each trail. The trails I did try were not marked with any blazes except at the entries causing me to turn around at points since I had no idea how long it was or if I was following it correctly. I came on a warm, windy day in April, but can definitely see this as a buggy area with all the small swamps and marshlands. On the plus side, it was very easy to encounter views along streams, ponds, and marshes wherever you went. I'm not sure I would swim in the water, but it's nice to walk along. You can easily get good exercise (with or without a dog) walking, running, biking, etc. plenty of paved area. The roads could certainly use some work. Lots of potholes, but that's New England for you! Also, be warned that the address is not exact. You may have to drive further to find the park opening if you're taking 114 from Merrimack College area. read more

See all

I'm adding this as a review for the mountain bikers in the Boston Metro area. Everyone knows the Fells, and lots of folks know Lynn Woods. Harold Parker rocks. The perfect combination of rocky, rutty, rooty trail riding that the Northeast is known for, plus great fast rolling sections ... there's something here for every biker who wants to escape the congestion of the city and get away from traffic and other folks, all on two wheels. From the city, take 93N to exit 41, go straight a few miles til you see the park entrance on your right. Take that right and follow the road to where it comes to a T. Park there and just ride. read more

Harold Parker State Forest - HPSP - Parks Near Me - North Andover, Massachusetts

Spent Labor Day weekend with the family here and it was a great experience. There is a full playground there for the little ones and nice open area for the sites themselves so you can set some extra stuff to do etc. The price was great for the weekend only $33 bucks ! Just one really I mean really good tip would be to try to reserve as early as possible since this place gets booked up quickly! Enjoy your stay. read more

See all

This is such a beautiful state park! There are several walking and biking trails, lots of places to lay a picnic down or just throw a ball around. Unfortunately Berry Pool has been closed for swimming for the 2010 season but the rest of the facility is open and great for a family day trip or just a photographic journey. I love the structures that are around the entire complex and the views are amazing. This is a great day trip for anyone. read more

Harold Parker State Forest - Parks Near Me - North Andover, Massachusetts

See all

Great getaway close to Boston. It feels like you are deep in the woods. There are some remote sites if you book in advance. Close to a nice pond. I took off a star because we had campsite 111 which is directly across from the bathrooms. That wouldn't be an issue except people continuously walk directly through your site to use the bathroom. We even roped off an area and people ducked the rope to cut through. People woke me in the middle of the night with flip flops clacking right next to our tent. I think any other plot would get 5 stars it was just awkward and hard to relax with people constantly petting our dog and popping up behind us at our picnic table. read more

Yesterday my husband and I thought we would take a relaxing walk through Harold Parker State Forest. We'd never been to a state forest- only state parks- so we were excited to check it out. The forest is not well marked. It's a bit difficult to find with only one tiny sign pointing the way. Once you arrive, it's even harder to figure out where you're supposed to park. But none of that would matter if the experience itself was bucolic. In fact, it was the opposite. Imagine you're in the movie Bambi. It's a peaceful day. Birds are chirping, squirrels are scurrying, and it's a beautiful sunny day in the forest. Then, from nowhere, shots are fired. Lots of shots. Shots which punctuate your peaceful day in the forest. You just know Bambi's mom is dead. That's what being in Harold Parker State Forest is like. On one side of the park are trails (which are not clearly marked but are lovely). On the other side, hunting is permitted and there is a shooting range. So while you're trying to take a leisurely stroll through the woods, all you hear are the sounds of shots being fired. If I had been to war, this would have given me flashbacks. When I asked the ranger if it was safe, his answer was "sure. Just don't cross that road to the other side of the forest." I don't know about you, but I don't ever want to be that close to the number of guns that were being fired yesterday. Really raises the old blood pressure. read more

We picked Harold Parker for camping this year because of it's proximity to the city. 30 minutes from Somerville? Awesome. Also awesome was the online reservation and pre-check in system - very efficient and convenient. Most camp sites have to be reserved for 2 nights but still, for $33 for 4 people I'd say that's a bargain. The campground is spacious, camp sites are big enough, have adequate tree cover (we should know, it rained the whole time we were here), and is very quiet. Each camp site has a fireplace, upright grill, picnic table, and enough space for 1-2 cars. There are hiking trails all over the place though we ended up just taking a walk on the paved road that runs through the campground. The bathrooms are extremely clean and have showers. I would go back here anytime and hope for no rain next time! read more

Having more time on my hands than I would like and tired of the same old walk around my neighborhood that includes the required & insincere nods & how ya doing to my neighbors, I have looked for more interesting & challenging places to walk. Harold Parker has been one of those recent places. While I haven't camped here since I was a kid I have found the walking trails to be well marked, quiet & safe. However being 6'3" & well over 200 pounds I don't tend to worry about my safety much. I never have trouble finding a place to park & other than a few hello's & nice day I occasionally give to other walkers, joggers & mountain bikers, it is very secluded. Nice place to stretch your legs & shed a few pounds. (now if I'd only loss a few pounds ;-)) read more

This is my favorite of all the local forests to visit. - It's still very well-used, and well-travelled, but you can generally easily drive in and find a random spot to park, and go for a walk. Me, I like to fish here - and generally you can find a place to do so undisturbed, which is important when you have beers with you and no fishing license. - Wait, I mean uh, you can go here and enjoy the outdoors! (psst- bring coozies to cover up that beer!) read more

Just spent a hot, humid, and wet weekend camping here with the wife and a couple of friends. The weather aside, this is a nice campground. The sites are spacious and for the most part have a bit of privacy from fellow campers. Each site comes equipped with a fire pit and picnic table. Most have charcoal grilling stands as well. There are also several restrooms with showers interspersed throughout. Me, I kinda like being dirty, but it's understandable that people like to clean up. Area activities include several ponds for swimming, canoeing, and fishing. They also have an extensive trail system for hiking and mountain biking. DCR rangers also lead nature hikes and have programs for the kids throughout the summer. Because of it's close proximity to Boston, the campground can get loud during the daytime, due to the large camping groups that like to frequent this campground. It really quiets down at night though. Mr. Parker, I'll be back next year. Have fun out there kiddies, but don't take my good campsite. I'm not telling you which one it is... read more

Amazing experience! Beautiful, well maintained, and tranquil state park, even on the fourth of July weekend. I want to commend Steve- who to my understanding is the park supervisor or manager. He went above and beyond to make my family feel welcome during our short stay. He personally led us to the beach and campgrounds even before our check in time arrived per our request, since we had come a long way and wanted to maximize our time there for the little ones in our group. THANK YOU SO MUCH STEVE! The cons -explained by the much smaller beaches than I prefer with very small swim areas. I also was not too fond of the water both at Berry Pond and the Frye Pond, since it is heavily congested with fish, even in the swimming areas full of people, and the water itself seems very cloudy/muddy. I also really disliked the gunshots from the shooting range next to the forest. It was very unsettling and I would highly recommend anyone with PTSD to stay away. HOWEVER. none of this stopped a 5 and 6 year old from having a blast in the ponds, playground, and campsite. Visit with your kayaks, bugspray, and hiking boots! read more

I only did a day trip. Some fishing in one of the ponds, fairly overgrown with lilies. That said I caught a nice size Northern Pike. I'll be back. May want to try the camping facilities someday. Expansive. Well staffed by MA DCS personnel too BTW. read more

I'm only giving four stars because I didn't walk the full trail. The roads to get here are pretty narrow so be careful and wary of people in the area like runners if you're looking to park. There is parking scatter alongside the road and the drive in the fall is absolutely gorgeous. It was very relaxing just to come and take a walk around and look at the big lake. We even saw people fishing! Definitely recommend sneakers and long sleeves because some of the trails are kind of narrow (what ones I walked part of)! read more

See all

Was not at all prepared to hear gunshots, and it was especially disconcerting to see the "open for hunting" sign when we parked. I think there might be a range nearby but still put us on edge, which for me ruined what appeared to be a beautiful hiking trail. We actually ended up cutting it short due to the sound of shots. If we lived in the area and knew more about where this was coming from maybe we would have been more comfortable. read more

Beautiful if you don't mind listening to gunshots. Went here for the first time today - lovely trails (not very challenging but beautiful surroundings). However, the Andover Sportsman's Club is nearby and all we could hear the entire time were gunshots! You'd never know you were in nature - couldn't hear anything else. I can't believe they allow an outdoor range so close to a State Forest. Initially, I thought it would be a lovely place to camp when there wasn't time to go farther - only 40 min outside of metro area. But it's noisier than the city! The constant gunshots made me feel like I couldn't wait to leave. I won't be returning there. read more

We tent camped for 2 nights with our 4 teenagers. It was a great value compared to the price for hotels in the area. We have been camping many summers as our children have been growing up. This was one of the most spacious campsites we have ever had. Semi-private, not in the middle of a big field. Crazy things that happened: 1) The huge tree (at least it sounded like that) falling down late at night and our kids not answering when we called out to make sure they were ok (they were - they were sleeping and didn't hear it!). (pretty sure no one was hurt by said tree) 2) Guys getting to shower with salamander and frog - son thought the frog was a leaf (his contacts weren't in) until it moved! Part of visiting their home, I guess! The guys at the check-in kiosk were really nice. Same with the people I talked with on the phone. We would recommend this place to anyone that was looking for great value and great sites. read more

I was looking for a good place to go biking and have a small picnic afterwards. I was surprised at the 'abandonment' of the location, but also found it nice that it was not crowded at all. Many of the trails are well maintained for hard surface biking, trail biking and even some off road mountain biking. The swimming area has been closed and at every turn, you seem to find the remnants of a past sprawling park with old picnic areas and parking areas. However, the if you like quiet and isolation this is a great place. Do not let the Andover Gun Club noise scare you. read more

Great discovery. Beautiful Park. My dog and I are logging a lot of hours here. PLEASE BEWARE that cars are sometimes broken into. I returned to mine one day to fine my window smashed and personal items stolen. This has happened to at least 2 others. Park in populated lots and leave valuables at home! Other than the above the park is very friendly and safe. Thus, I assume the break-ins are someone with a drug habit. read more

I came here with friends to take a family photo and this place had endless beautiful spots to take photos. There is a decent size body of water, camp ground, picnic tables, paths, bathrooms, playgrounds in the woods. It seemed like a park that you visit over and over again and have it meet your needs. There were a decent amount of people walking dogs and jogging, which makes sense since parking is a breeze. It's probably a good idea to bring bug spray and to check for ticks after visiting Harold Parker State Forest. read more

I just spent the weekend here with my wife and daughter. Campsite was clean, we had water on the site. Camp Site's are kind of close but to be 30 minute ride from Boston and still get the camp experience we liked it a lot. Movies at shown at night in the big field and was a nice touch. (They were showing Wreck it Ralph) you can get the schedule on line. So the big question is would I go back and the answer is absolutely yes. If you are looking to get out of Boston for a weekend on the cheap it's the way to go. There is swimming and I was on the shoreline and the fish where jumping around. A lot of fish! Swimming area was small but it worked well, lots of play grounds and basketball hoops too. read more

For being so close to Boston, I was so excited at the beauty and outdoor experience! Fished with my boys. We were only catching sunfish but the kids didn't care and they were biting as soon as the worm hit the water. Great family experience! read more

Do NOT assume there are picnic facilities here, just because the online map has a picnic table icon!!! We found two roofed pavilions, but neither one had a picnic table or so much as a bench in it. We searched and searched for the picnic area, unsuccessfully, then asked at the campground if we could pay for a night's camping just to have our cookout dinner -- and the answer was, NO, that's not what the campground was intended for. (Never mind that they had plenty of sites available.). Gotta love these bureaucrats, protecting our public facilities from misuse. My advice: for a lovely picnic ground, go to Willard Brook State Forest instead, in Townsend. read more

Came to hike the trails on a cold but sunny day in December. It was quiet and peaceful, just how I like it. I would recommend wearing bright colors during hunting season. The trails are a little rocky, so watch your ankles. I took the trail around Salem Pond and it had enough elevation changes to keep things interesting. I only wish the trails were marked better because I got lost. Some of the intersections are marked but the trails themselves are not marked. The piney foliage are still green during the winter, so it still felt like a forest in the winter. read more

Wonderful state forest. I can't believe that I've never taken my dog there until this weekend. There were tons of trails, and some were slightly difficult which I liked. Very rocky. Not many people around at all. I did think the trails could be better marked. It might be very easy to get lost if you stray too far from the normal paths. I can see how this area would be beautiful in the autumn with all of the trees. Plenty of parking, bonus- no fee to park. I can't wait to return and explore some more! read more

Very pretty ponds and forested trails but a very strange lay out. I love the history behind the park being a CCC work project but what the hell were they thinking when they designed it? The various trail heads are spread far apart and there is a mix of residential area through out the park. Worth exploring but be aware of cigarette butts and other trash thrown from car windows littering the place. read more

I use this forest mainly in winter for snowshoeing. The trails aren't marked with flashes, but do have occasional marked posts. It's a real challenge to stay on trail and find your destination in the snow, but that's why I like it. You really need to know some nav skills. There are plenty of ponds and historic sites to use as destinations for out and backs. Fishing areas are plentiful and some require hiking in, but you get that pond to yourself if you put the effort in. I've read some of the other reviews and some are unhappy with the gunfire. Two points on that; 1. It's a State Forest (not park), so there are hunting areas for that sport. The park is divided in two for this reason. Stay on the non-hunting side and wear headphones. You miss some nature sounds but don't hear gunshots. Usually in mid winter there isn't much hunting going on. 2. There is a gun range nearby. That is more likely the source of repeated gunfire. Again, wear headphones. This park is near towns and traffic, so I'm good with skipping the "nature" sounds for the headphones anyway. If I want real nature, I go northwest to NH/VT. read more

Great afternoon spot for a family. Only thing I would say negative about it is the restrooms. Which my wife complained about.

I don't understand why people can rate this place less than 5 stars! OK, it is not like other state park, but it is relatively close to the city and beautiful! Very calm and nice dog walk place. Love it. read more

I really use to love coming here for walks but now you must pay to just walk.. I don't want to spend the day I just want to walk for 45 mins and it isn't worth the price to pay to park to be there such a short amount of time read more