Great place to walk anytime of year. Plenty of parking, restrooms, picnic tables. Lots of trails and something new to explore on each trip. Part of the blue hills on the canton line. read more

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I miss the Blue Hills "Peek-a-blue" hikes that happened pre pandemic for kids preschool aged and younger. We would meet in the Houghton's Pond parking area to start that hike. We visited today though to enjoy the playground. There's 2 sides - one for preschool and younger, other for older kids. Both have swings, slides, and climbing areas. There's also a wooden boardwalk that leads to trails to the pond. read more

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We used to come here when I was a kid in the 1960's. Even farther back, my father used to hike the trails here. Today, we needed to spend some time before an evening flight, and the fall foliage was starting to really turn colors. So we stopped to admire the water and the lovely trees. read more

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Its a peaceful pond with excellent trails and offers restrooms, which nowadays is hard to come by. The waters are not always clean, but clean enough for kids to play in. I do also appreciate the life guard on deck. The one major complaint is cleanliness. The bathrooms are frequented by hundreds of people, my guess. But during a pandemic, shouldn't there be some vigilance about sanitation? I wont even mention my reaction to the feces on the ground of the porter potties on site. It looked as though they had not been cleaned for weeks. This is a recreation site that has the potential to be exceptional, yet due to negligence, is barely safe. It's so sad that there are such few affordable options for parents with little ones these days. I truly hope Houghton Pond gets its act together so that many can continue to enjoy. read more

Houghton's Pond Recreation Area - a little stream where tiny fish can be observed - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

Beautiful spot multiple walking and hiking trails as well as a playground and beach! Highly recommend

Great place for local hiking, nature walks, swimming, biking, picnic, and BBQing. There are a few parking lots around the pond and bathrooms. Due to COVID, sometimes the bathrooms have been closed. I've come here for hiking most of the time and there are quite a few hikes so you can choose the level of intensity you are up for. There are easy walks around the pond and some with some elevation. Love that you are immersed in the trees. I've also come a few times to picnic around the pond. There are a few picnic tables too! read more

This place could be a real gem if it were better maintained. Trash bins are usually overflowing and snack bar has been closed forever. Having said that, the walking trails are easy and mostly flat, there's a playground for the kiddos, bathrooms, and lots of parking. Summer weekends are crowded with picnics and cookouts. read more

I went here last year in the summer！I went to this place make BBQ with my family，it was fun！and there is a pound ，my son play water there，he like it！but last week，we try to go there make BBQ again，But the original rules there have changed, now can only walk and highing, become not fun! So I don't want to go any more! Unless it's back as it used to be! read more

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We took a walk around the Houghton pond. There is a trail that we followed which is about a mile around. It gave us the chance to talk and and admire the foliage on the trees. I would recommend it for any looking for some excercise. read more

Love love this little pond/recreation area. It can get pack here on a good summer day. We go here daily since this summer (2020) has been so hot. You can take a walk/bike here; there's a playground for kids, hang out at the pond (lifeguards are here until 6PM), or even set up some for a picnic or BBQ. Due to COVID, lately the restrooms are closed but there are porta potties. I've never seen it open but there's a little take out spot. I wish people who come here will continue to keep this place nice and clean for everyone to enjoy. read more

I remember playing youth sports games at the athletic fields at Houghton's Pond. And my dad reminds me that he took me and my sibling here to go fishing when we were kids. Now I'm discovering the trails and walking paths around the pond which are enjoyable and have great views! Also a great new beach spot closeby! read more

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Easy hiking trails for beginners all the way to difficult trails for more experienced people! Houghton's Pond is well maintained. Pre-covid the facilities would be open (restrooms and snack bar). During covid, there are porta potties. Arrive before 10:30AM to snag a free spot otherwise, you'll have to wait as people leave. There are two lots so keep your eyes peeled. read more

Houghton's pond is a great place to walk, picnic, swim (in the summer) and bike. During the fall the trees are beautiful and there is a snack shack open during the summer time. It is a great place to go and hangout! read more

Houghton's Pond Recreation Area - Houghton's Pond - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

Too crowded on the beach???? Check out Houghton's Pond. It's local (for me), great place to hang out w/ the kids, there's a park, and water, and also you can BBQ there!!! Good getaway!! Very easy to get to, right off 93! read more

Houghton's Pond Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

I love this place and visit regularly; I have been coming back year after year since I was three! However, the lifeguard staff have no respect for wildlife. The last time I visited, I watched as they swatted at schools of baby catfish swimming near the shore with a boat oar and laugh to each other about it. Not the kind of people you'd hope would be put to watch over a place such as this. Especially not good considering the accusations against another park ranger staff member for setting up a camera in the women's bathroom not too long sgo. Overall, a great pond with some less-than-great employees. read more

Nice place to walk, swim etc but beware the lifeguards (in season) will yell in a megaphone telling people not to swim outside the roped off area in the pond. read more

Swimming, nature walks, and hiking!! Such an easy, simple beach that has everything you need; sand and calm warm water. Simple, beautiful, decent sized pond beach area. My complaint is that it's a pretty crowded beach so it can get noisy and perhaps feel gross with all the people in the water. But it's very kid friendly, beautifully diverse and a place that holds other activities other than beaching it. read more

Other posters have said this and I agree: This area is a real gem and all free for access! We have lived nearby for 30 years and then about 2 years ago the DCR invested a lot of resources ($$-!) to renew and restructure outbuildings, visitor center, pathways, signage, beaches, et etc. Suffice it to say it shows. Went there today and was astounded. This is a really large, expansive area with various recreational modes surrounding an entire pond. Next time I will bring along a stick and a trash bag though, since the general public just cannot seem to restrain itself from dropping small amounts of trash - just enough to interfere with the aesthetics (the view from the interpretive stops along the elevated boardwalk next to the scenic swamp of lily pads. Just a plastic bag or a cup and a can will sully the visual experience for everyone, but if one person picks it up, then *POOF* - reality has changed for everyone. By the way, we went there to eat brunch at Jenna's Place II which is the proprietor of the food concession at the pavilion off the free parking area. This whole area has no access fees. Pay only for the good food at Jenna's Place II. read more

What a great area to hang out at on a hot day. About a 15 minute drive from Boston, you are on the edge of the Blue Hills at a large scenic pond where you can swim and sunbathe. On a 95 degree weekend day, the beach or should I saw sandy area, was packed with families of all ethnicity's, enjoying the sun and water. There was still plenty of room to throw down a blanket and pick a spot. I decided to try out the water. It being packed with children was a little intimidating. But I went in as far as I could go to the limit line, which was about to my neck. The water was cool at first, then felt warm and refreshing. If you don't want to hang out at the pond, there is tons of shady grass space with bbq grills. Multiple lifeguards were on duty at the pond. There is even a large snack bar with a good variety of food. Note that the parking area near the pond is small, so you may have to park further down the street and walk to it. Worth a short trip from Boston for an urban escape! read more

For year my parents dragged me to the pond to get out of the city on tho those hot summer afternoons. I used to hate going there because it was not the Cape but as I grew older I could see why this place was a special getaway. The pond has not changed much though the walking paths are worn to gravel from all the foot traffic. Prior to the addition of the bath house the only bathroom was a old building the was close too the main parking lot. As a kid I loved going to the food stand for hotdogs and drinks and begged my cheap sisters for a few more coins a ice cream. On the far side of the pond are areas to host large groups for BBQ's and volleyball. Some bad memories there were the drownings of some city kids that would happen every summer. I have vivid memories of the lifeguards dragging kids and sometimes adults out of the water there limp and lifeless. Till this day whenever I go there I still recall those events. I still love the pond and its a great place to walk in the fall season. read more

We love Houghton's Pond. This is a great place to get away and to go deep into nature. The geese and swans are beautiful and quite entertaining. If you need a place to go for some excercise I suggest coming here. It is so peaceful. read more

Houghton's Pond Recreation Area - Houghton's Pond - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

Lovely pond with lots of hiking trails in the Blue Hills Reservation! There is a beach, lots of space to picnic, a playground, even a little place where you can get hot dogs and other food stuff! This place is great and spacious enough I feel comfortable calling it peaceful! We will definitely be back with our little grill to BBQ up some fun! (-: Note; No boats allowed.. weep for the kayaks, they will have to stay home! read more

I have only used the softball field for family games but would recommend. Getting this field is hard and unavailable until after July 15th and then hard to reserve after that because of league games. We have used twice, by far the best maintained fields we have been to. No grandstands for people to watch the game which is a minus and you need to bring your own bases which most people don't think to do. The parking is a little tight and the BBQ areas are usually taken by 10-10:30 so don't think that you can BBQ and play a softball game in the same area. Once in a while lacrosse people will wonder on the field but softball bats are most dangerous so you can chase them off. Very easy to get to off of the highway. The facilities are a little far removed from the fields making it hard to use the bathroom when you are playing a game. read more

A pleasant surprise for a beach day. I'd been hearing a lot about this place and finally made it there. There are plenty of areas to sit under the shade if you choose to not go for a dip in the pond. The sand is a bit rocky, but you can find some spots that are better than others. Beware of limited changing areas. Just don't go there on a camp day and try to change! Parking is plentiful, and it's really such a short distance from Boston. You don't even have to get onto 93. Easy to find, too! read more

This beach area is just A-Okay. Especially when you are in Hyde Park and would just like to go to the nearest "beach" for an hour or two. I came here with some family (aunt and baby) one Sunday afternoon in search of a cool breeze, since it was too hot inside of the apartment. There was a lot of free parking, and lots of other families around. The beach wasn't too crowded and it seemed pretty safe. In terms of cleanliness, in the sand than I would have liked, but maybe it was just that day. I would recommend this spot for a good time with the family. The baby really loved it! read more

Beautiful park with new, clean facilities and lots of sandy beach to set up a tent or umbrella. I wish they let you swim more but it is perfect for the kids. Went on Labor Day and it was crazy busy but we arrived after lunch and found parking easily (don't believe the "lot full" signs). There is a lot of shade to be had around the pond and the playground is terrific. Lovely spot for family photos, too! read more

This is a very nice park. There is a sweet little pond here too. There is plenty of parking, lots of picnic tables and even a beach. They also have pvc fishing line receptacles for old line. Sadly, even with lots of trash cans, people still feel like it's okay to throw their trash on the ground. Naturally, much of that ends up in the pond. Brutal, and just sad. read more

It's a beautiful location with a parking lot and well-groomed facilities. I mountain bike and run with my dog on several of the trails. It's absolutely gorgeous during the fall with the foliage, as well. Yes, at times it's a nice beach, but the sand isn't my cup of tea, so my ratings aren't based on the beach activities. read more

2.5 stars. Maybe we came on an off day. I read previous posters saying this place was clean, well it wasn't. The beach area was filthy! Trash was everywhere and there no trash cans along the beach. The bathrooms were okay and not too gross. I love the location bc it was a quick 15 min drive from my house. The pond was nice and warm and perfect for young children. Such a shame I would have loved to come here more often this summer but this place is too dirty for me. read more

Don't get me wrong, houghton pond is a great place to go if you want to share a man made beach with a ton of families and "swim" in 3 feet of water. Otherwise you may want to look elsewhere for a relaxing place to catch some rays and take a swim. The deepest area I could find in the roped off swimming area was about 3 feet and that is where everyone was huddled, so if you wanted any space to yourself you are stuck in 2 feet of water or less, not sure why you can't swim past the ropes, I am an adult and am a fine swimmer, why the need for such control? Also the lifeguards were constantly yelling at the children for basically having too much fun, no chicken fights, tossing balls or anything else that could be more fun than sitting in 2 feet of water is allowed. Besides all these annoyances it was a nice enough place to take a dip and cool off from a hot summer day read more

I call this place the "baby beach". It's perfect for kids to build sand castles, and cool off in the water. I've never had trouble finding a spot to park or sit and it's nice to not worry about the tide or waves knocking anyone over. It's definitely a place for families with little kids,I wouldn't go if I didn't have kids. My biggest complaint is the geese. They're everywhere, and my toddler always wants to run after them. Obviously I can't change that, but that really has been our only issue when coming here. I grew up in Utah and this place makes me feel like I'm in the mountains at home. It's beautiful and I love it!! read more

Great for kids. Beautiful, free parking, nice snack bar/restaurant, decent bathrooms. I would have given it 5 stars BUT although the DCR website mentions that the water is up to 42 feet deep, they fail to mention that the outermost limits of the cordoned off swimming area reach a maximum depth of less than 3 feet. I'm 5'2" and the water didn't even reach my waist. Even when there are no lifeguards, someone is keeping an eye on the beach, and twice today people who tried to go beyond the ropes were yelled at via the extremely loud PA system. So it is great for kids, but if you're a teen or adult who wants to actually swim, this is not the place for you. read more

Honestly, this is my favorite "beach" to go to in Boston. Everywhere else and i mean EVERYWHERE is gross. I've gone to beaches and seen tampons in the water. DIRTY. This place is a very chill place to soak up some sun in Boston. Although, Little kids are always here with their family, it doesn't bother me a bit. I hate the fact that it closes at 8pm but i guess it makes sense. You can only swim a certain distance to where the rope is though. So, swimmers you may not like this place. But i DO! they also have a food store that you can get fires, chicken, fried dough and things like that it and the food is pretty good. read more

Houghton's Pond is seriously the best. Free, plentiful parking. Clean, guarded beaches. Some shade available. Huge bathrooms, outdoor showers and foot showers, and changing areas. Snack bar with decent prices and a picnic area overlooking the pond. The snack bar had decent options burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, kids meals - even breakfast, if you want to get an early start! I have been living in Boston since 2004 and I didn't discover Houghton's Pond until 2015...it is such a gem! HUGE fan! read more

Just got back from here, so everything is fresh in my mind. It's July 3, 90 degrees, and so I thought this place would be packed, but to my surprise, the lot was only half full. I was immediately very impressed with the facilities; nice grassy areas, huge snack bar, and great bathrooms. The beach looked nice too, with 4 lifeguards supervising a little roped in area that I thought was just for the kids. Me and my girlfriend found a nice little shady grass spot away from the crowd and set up camp. I was really thinking I had found a gem. Then I tried to go swimming, and this place lost 3 stars. There was a tiny, empty, unsupervised swimming "area" to the right of the main one. I walked in there, not even up to my knees, stepped over the rope and before I could get a foot down, was told by a lifeguard 40 yards away on a bullhorn that I had to "stay in the area." You have GOT to be kidding me. I surveyed the main area; there were several adults in there, out hugging the ropes as deep as they could get, and it was up to their waist. Pretty crowded with splashing kids, too. Okay, surely if I go over to the other side of the pond where there are some cute little beach areas, I could swim from there, right? Just as I had that thought, I noticed another couple doing just that. Within 30 seconds, they were greeted by a dude in a red shirt on a kayak and escorted back to shore. Incredible. Long story short, If you want to bring the kids down to swim, and possibly get your feet wet, this place is great. If you yourself want to enjoy a nice little swim with your girlfriend, skip it. read more

This is a great place to get away from the city for a few hours. Offers a decent swimming hole and a nice little hike too. Absolutely no cost to park, swim, or hike. If you're on vacation or a local I highly recommend it. The property looks very clean and was welcoming to families. read more

Enjoy this place for years and can't wait to go again. Life guard on duty during summer time if you like to swim. Hiking and jogging in Blue Hill nearby is wonderful. Bring your swim suit, sun block lotion, kids friendly !! read more

Nice place! Not big on crowds you will love this area. Great open spaces perfect for picnics and the pond is great for families. You will definitely feel like you're at the beach. There is a concession stand if you forget your food too. read more

Needed somewhere local to take my younger cousins swimming and Houghton's Pond was the perfect place. Very satisfied with my visit and the kids had fun! read more

I came here at the tail-end of summer. It might have even been Labor Day weekend? It was crowded with lots of kids, families, that kind of thing. I guess that is what the place is for and its not really for me. Plus the water was too cold (for me) to go in, even though its a pretty small pond. Meh, doubt I'll be back, but it was fine for being free. read more