My friend and I came here on a Saturday morning. I didn't realize there were so many parking lots around, but we parked where the GPS took us. We walked a bit to the right and there were so many dogs - it must be an unofficial dog park, or happy hour for the dogs. They were all so cute. My friend had come before so he recommend we walk to Wright's Tower since it gives a vast view of the neighboring houses and landscape but also Boston in the far distance. It was a perfect hike of about 45 minutes there, and about an hour back since we did trailblaze a bit. We were following a GPS, but there are colors and signs periodically on the trees to guide you through the trails. I wouldn't say its too scenic, but it is relaxing and the terrain is perfect, with some spots being intermediate level but mostly all of it being beginner or easy. We did see some people on bikes, and others jogging. When we got to the tower, we went inside and climbed the stairs to the top. From there, you can look out in all directions to get some really nice views. It is worth the climb. We plan on eventually going back and trying longer or more challenging trails. But overall I think it's a gem that isn't too far from the city. read more

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Wonderful place for a nice stroll. When I went one area was blocked off but they had bright orange flags to indicate a new path. I do wish that folks that visit will do better to not litter. Found areas where beer/drink cans were discarded near some of the lakes. Overall, I will continue to visit. read more

Middlesex Fells Reservation - Parks Near Me - Stoneham, Massachusetts

Fells is so so stunning. You don't even feel like you're in Massachusetts when you come here. I love coming here for a nice walk since there's so much to look at, and it's so calm. I could just stare out at the water all day. Lots of people bring their dogs here (on and off leash). There's also a large field for dogs to run around on near the parking lot. It's definitely a popular dog park and walking path in general. It's got the perfect balance between it never feeling too crowded (so you'd feel like you can't walk around in your own peace and quiet), but it also isn't completely empty (so you won't feel lost or alone in the middle of the woods). Could not recommend this place more. Completely free parking and it's also stunning in the winter too! read more

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Cozy and clean place for a small hike with a friend. Very quirt and scenic. Has sufficient parking area and very maintained. Better to start your hike early as it gets dark after hours and they don't allow you to stay or park read more

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Did Rock Circuit Trail and was the land of ups and downs. Had a blast, going through 6.5 miles in 2.5 hours. Bring good shoes for scrambling. No water on trails and btw, advise Alltrails as there are a zillion trails and fire roads. Enjoy. read more

Middlesex Fells Reservation - Parks Near Me - Stoneham, Massachusetts

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I've officially fallen for the Fells! (and not just because it's so close to my house now) Despite being situated near a moderately dense area, you hike in and immediately feel like you're in nature. Yes, you may still hear cars or children playing in the street, but being able to escape here is such a sweet relief, especially during these COVID craycray times. We recently discovered the Rock Circuit Trail, which provides myriad great views of the Boston skyline and surrounding area. The trail takes you up on the ridge which includes Melrose, Black, and Pinnacle rocks as well as many other nameless rocks and outlooks. Now is a great time to see the changing leaves, and I'll be back in the spring to see the cascade just off of the Rock Circuit Trail (now in the fall the waterfall is dry). The Fells are worth exploring any time of year! read more

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Awesome hiking trails - an abundance of varying lengths and difficulty. Definitely enough for an all-day hike. However, I recommend downloading something off AllTrails in advance or making sure you have navigation turned on your phone because some parts were not well-marked at all. The first time I came here, my friend and I got turned around every few steps and found ourselves off-trail super easily. We parked in Flynn ice rink and crossed the road and tried getting on and sticking to the Woodland Path, and finally just turning around and getting breakfast (always a good idea). The second time was much more successful. Parked near the South Border Parking Lot (which fills up fast and requires parallel parking), went up to Wright's Tower, and basically followed the Skyline/Silver Mine/Reservoir to South Reservoir and Middle Reservoir. The place is stunning and, while we saw a few others on the trail (including mountain bikers and people just charging up the mountain, what crazy cardiovascular health), we still felt like we were the only people in the whole park. Just a note that if you're using Google Maps and it recommends taking a portion on South Border Road, be very careful, because there's 1) no sidewalk or even much of a shoulder for most of that road, and 2) a ton of blind curves. We had to do an extra loop around on the other side just to avoid walking exposed. read more

Love coming here to hike in the spring! So many trails and quite well-marked. Depending on which trail you choose, you can figure out where to park. Trails are basically in two sections. To the east and west of I-93. Make sure to know where your trail starts so that you can park accordingly. This is not a park that you can walk end to end, it's huge! Based on your liking, you can hike to the summit for a view of Boston, or along the edge of the reservoir, or some easy walks with info boards - so many options. We've hiked the happy heart trail and the crystal springs trail (east of I-93). They are fairly easy to moderate trails and well marked too. It will only take about an hour, at the most two, if you want to walk leisurely. On the North side, we've walked along Bear Hill. You can get to the top of the tower for a nice view of Boston. The only cons I can think of are: 1. Mosquitos in the summer - yikes! 2. No restrooms! read more

Middlesex Fells Reservation - On the Crystal Springs Trail - Parks Near Me - Stoneham, Massachusetts

This is a decent reservation. They have really nice trails but I wouldn't say any single one struck me in terms of views. There are multiple areas for parking, but it is rather unfortunately (or maybe it is indeed fortunate) that no major trains go by near here. I didn't see any other way of coming except to drive. We walked by a lake but it was mostly forested areas. The major issue I had was the type of people adventuring through here. There were too many dogs off lease and a lot of them would be categorized as dangerous breeds. Certainly not the fault of the Reservation because there is no way to control it, it makes this area less desirable because of the unsavory and selfish people who let their dogs roam free, destroying the natural surroundings and potentially subjecting others and their pets to unwanted violence. read more

I must agree with my fellow Yelpers when I say that the Sheepfold is very, very hard to describe. First of all, it is by far the best dog park around Boston. There is plenty of open space, great trails to hike on with your dog, and there's usually a good amount of dogs (of all shapes and sizes) on the weekends. But, regarding the trails...umm, not quite sure how to say this, but STAY ON THE MARKED TRAILS! Trust me...and if you don't trust me, keep reading. I shall explain......One day, a few months back, I was feeling quite adventurous. So, my boyfriend, my dog, and I decided to go a little bit off the beaten path to go explore. We walked for about 10 minutes or so, when finally we came upon...a group of half-naked men sunbathing. Umm, if this were a dream, this would probably be fun, but this was reality--it was really AWKWARD! Don't get me wrong, I love naked men as much as the next person, but seriously, this was strange, and like I said, really awkward. So we walked by as fast as we could, and basically booked it back to the Sheepfold. Except that on our way back to the main trail, about 5 minutes past the naked, sun-bathing men, we stumbled upon some very--uhumm--disturbing stuff (used condoms, piles of toilet paper, and a picture of a woman in lingerie). OMG, ewww, eww, gross, sick, nasty, it was so nasty I wanted to cry....but I guess I can laugh about it now and share my lesson with everyone. Does everyone understand the importance of staying on the marked paths now?!? read more

Great spot for hiking, especially if you are taking public transit! There are not many other great hiking spots accessible so easily. You can access middlesex fells by taking the orange line all the way to its northernmost stop, and walking a little bit to the trailhead entrance. read more

Middlesex Fells Reservation - Peak in September - Parks Near Me - Stoneham, Massachusetts

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I love how the trails never seem to end, wish I had a map though! It was very nice to just leave my phone behind and enjoy the great outdoors. You can walk here, fish, ride a bike. The site says you can jog, but I don't recommend it, lots of rocks and not many flat surfaces. I made it to this giant boulder that stuck out facing the water and just sat there for an hour. It's the best feeling ever, definitely coming back! Also, there is parking nearby. I parked at the Botume House, and next door is the boathouse which also has parking. (Oh yeah, you can kayak and stuff too!) read more

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Great variety of well maintained trails. They have something for everyone with easy trails to trails with difficult rock scrambles. Watch out for mountain bikers and some trails are better marked than others so always pay attention the the trail markers so you don't lose your way! read more

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LOVE the fells! Trails are not too difficult, you can definitely choose if you want a harder or easier trail - would def recommend coming in the Fall to see the stunning foliage. read more

Middlesex Fells Reservation - Fall Foliage - Parks Near Me - Stoneham, Massachusetts

What a beautiful place to get out of the city and get into nature! Whether you're into hiking, biking, strolling, dog walking or moon walking - this is a place you'll want to head to! There are different trails to chose from. Markers on trees to make it easy for you to get where you're going. If you're heading to the reservoir, there's different trails that pretty much lead you there. A nice view especially when the whether is on your side. read more

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25000 acre park just North of Boston. Lots of trails, a few nice vista spots of Boston and several reservoirs to walk around. Nice 7 mile hike today with a Meetup group read more

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Considering how close to Boston, it would be nice to have a hiking place here. It is also nice to see happy excited doggies. Reservoir is very blue and pretty. I wish it was a little bigger and more variety of scenery. The biggest loop is only 7 miles and view has not much variety/up-downs (probably I am so spoiled from hiking in California). read more

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pretty substantial amount of trails here. there's a lot of different paths to take and some of them loop which is nice. overall good hiking spot close to boston. read more

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Great find near a big city. Not an intense workout and not much altitude gain, but you can sure spend a decent of time (maybe 2 hours before it gets old) here and get some fresh air. It's pretty rocky throughout and I don't really see it being all that bike-able even though they have bike trails throughout , but to each his own. Trails are mostly well kept with signs throughout. Absolutely grab a map or you'll be lost in no time!! We would have liked this set of trails more if there wasn't so much broken glass about the tower areas. Sad to see, but there does seem to be a lack of receptacles, not that average trails have that, but near cities it seems necessary. I would suggest bug spray if you go in the month of July. We went on a Thursday and it was easy to find parking (free) at the address listed on AllTrails.com for the Two Towers Trail - Middlesex Fells Reservation. I wouldn't go out of my way more than 30-40 minutes to hike this. It's good, but it's not something you can make an entire day out of. read more

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The tails here are amazing with miles and miles to choose from, some of them plotted on Google Maps. It's also walking distance from oak grove and is a perfect way to get out of the city for a few hours. read more

How fortunate are we to have this jewel right in our backyard? The trails are perfectly cared for, well marked and you see some spectacular views. We have been here at all times throughout the year and we are never disappointed! It never reels crowded and there are plenty of options for all experience levels. My kids love climbing the rocks to see the city skyline Going on the 4th of July allows you to see the Boston fireworks, but also Revere's and a few other cities, It is a dog friendly trail and it is always fun to see them and their prints on the trail. I hear that mountain bikers are an issue, but I have never seen any. This is a great place to go when you just want to get outside and find nature, peace and quiet it is so clean! You can tell that it is treated with respect. read more

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Great park, great trails. A pretty large place with a lot of variety in terrain and type of trails which is good. Lots of hilltops with great views of the area, theres a neat waterfall tucked away in there, two observation towers, many miles of fireroad if you like that, and many miles of singletrack if you prefer trails. You're never that far away from civilization but you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere which is nice (aside from the constant planes coming in for a landing). The only downside here is that they're a little bike-unfriendly. It has improved over the years though and hopefully will keep getting better. Obviously bikes should be allowed on every trail, no-bike trails is a silly idea that makes no sense and has no basis in common sense. read more

I don't have a car, but I wanted to go hiking, so my friend and I walked 40-45 minutes from oak grove station as a warmup for the actual hike. #thestruggleisreal Yes, I was complaining the entire 40 minute walk, but once we entered the reservation and reached one of the lakes (I'm not sure which one), every quibble I had dissipated. This place is BEAUTIFUL. If you want to spend time with mother nature, I don't know a better place than this reservation. It is really breathtaking, even the wooded areas. I'm running out of adjectives here, so just venture out there whenever you're free and you will see what I'm talking about. We did about 2/3 of the skyline trail with a bunch of detours and a lot of picture taking - it took us about 4-5 hours and I could have easily stayed there for longer if the sun wasn't setting. Just a couple notes for first-timers: there are no trashcans and absolutely no portapotties. It is just you and nature, so keep that in mind when you're chugging your water, ladies. The Sheepfold OffLeash Dog area is nice, but yes, you are greeted with a bunch of full poopbags at the entrance, but again, that's because there are absolutely no trashcans available on the premise. Please drive out to this place. It is not what I would call T-accessible. Lastly, make sure you have a fully charged smartphone with googlemaps in hand because it will become your best friend if it isn't already. read more

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There are a variety of entrances and many trails, fields, wetlands, bluffs and even towers that give a marvelous view! If looking for a taste of the outdoors, this area is a good option. read more

My goodness, how have I waited this long to review something that is essentially in my backyard!? MFR, oh how I adore everything about you but the mosquitoes. Wild raspberries on the trails? You betcha! Hearing growling noises that will scare the every living daylights out of you, only to find out later it was a lion from the zoo and not some sort of wild cat? Uh huh, one of the funniest stories of my life. I've now hiked both sides of the Fells and I prefer the Medford side over Malden/Melrose. I dunno, it's just prettier in general and much larger from what I could tell. I think my longest hike is about five miles but this summer I have pledged to myself to complete an entire loop on the Medford side. I wish I rode a better mountain bike to try the trails a different way but hiking will suffice for now. The coolest thing I've done is taken a metal detector with a friend and we found some old mining equipment from about 100 years ago. I can't believe I have yet to hike up to Wright's Tower and check out what I've been told are incredible views of Boston but that will be happening soon as well. Parking is fairly ample but get there early on the weekends. There are at least 5 - 7 parking lots on each side although I've never really counted. If the first is full just continue along Border Rd. until you come to the next one, maybe you'll get lucky and find someone already leaving in the next lot. The best place to picnic is the first parking area on the Medford side right after the 93 ramp. Pull up into the parking area next to the small pond there, hike up the trail about 1/8th of a mile and find a bunch of picnic tables that are hardly used. There is also a fun rope swing there next to the pond to use yourself or even better if you have kids. read more

Best hiking trails near the city. You have so many options on length of trails here. I recommend using your maps on your phone to navigate the trails. Go early to catch parking but then again I never had a problem finding parking before noon. There is also a large dog park for off leach play but it's not fenced in buts it's a large area and hilly. Dogs are allowed on the trails but on leash. However, you will find dogs off leach which I didn't mind and did myself. This is a great place to get away from the city that is close by. read more

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Can't believe it took me so long to get over here, but in my walk today I saw baby geese, an oriole, bees, butterflies, a brushfire across the highway, a bunch of chipmunks, and a garter snake! The parking lots come up really quickly when you are driving on 28, so keep your eyes open. They are also often full by mid morning on the weekends, best to go during the week or at an off time if you can. Wright's tower is closed, but they just got some funding to rehab it so hopefully it will be back better than ever. In my hour there, I only saw 2 or 3 people out on the trails even though there were a few cars parked, which is very nice :) read more

Middlesex Fells Reservation - Wright's Tower - Parks Near Me - Stoneham, Massachusetts

My favorite park to take a walk . Full of trees and nature . The only thing i didn't like is that there is section for dogs and they run with out a leash . read more

Middlesex Fells Reservation - Park - Parks Near Me - Stoneham, Massachusetts

AKA Sheepfold Park. Has a HUGE field that local folks come with their dogs. Rule says dogs must be leashed but I never see that they are and not sure how much it is enforced. Poop bags and trash available on site. Note: See my NEW LIST of dog parks!! read more

A friend of mine lives near here and suggested we catch up with each other near the pond. I was glad go see her but the park is very boring. You can't swim nor can you walk up, pay cash, and rent a kayak or other boat. Wright's Tower which I was interested in is not accessible from the part of the park I was in, since a major highway bisects it. I did stick my feet in the water and the temperature was very welcoming. I saw dogs and one child splashing around in it, and think adults should be allowed in also. There are no bathrooms. Once we left the site to pee and came back. We went to Dunkin' Donuts, but I didn't want to use their bathroom and not buy anything, so I got a beverage which needless to say led to the same issue an hour later, so I had my friend serve as lookout and crouched down and peed in the bushes. And the park with its lack of activities and facilities deserves the watering I gave it. read more

This was a pretty well-rounded Boston trip. I got to do a lot of outdoor activities including a short (~1hr long) trail to get a view from the top of the hill. There's not much parking available. You just need to find space next to the road, which gets a bit dangerous since it's hilly and you can't really see if there are cars coming towards you when you're backing out. Anyway, the trail is pretty mild, just a little bit of up and down. As we made our way up, we hung out at Panther Rock, which was a little cave-ish thing. I thought the guys just made up the name of the rocks, but no, there was actually a sign that called it the Panther Rock haha As we made our way to the tower, we passed by a lake which looked nice and serene but there might've been a lot of bugs. When we finally got up to the tower, we were able to go inside and get a great 360 degree view of the hills and the surrounding towns. It gets a bit windy up there, so it's nice to have a lil jacket or something. read more

Middlesex Fells Reservation - The watch tower - Parks Near Me - Stoneham, Massachusetts

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Stopped here on a nice day during the summer and I don't regret it. Was able to find an overlook with a fantastic view of the city. Easy to find and a short drive from the city so I didn't have to drive far to get here. The parking was a little difficult given the limited space on a beautiful day. Great for a quick trip if you don't want to travel far for a nice quick hike. read more

Middlesex Fells Reservation - Parks Near Me - Stoneham, Massachusetts

Lovely place to walk around! It's not too far from the city, but there's greenery and lakes here for some peace and quiet (although some parts are quite close to the road so there's not a lot of quiet sometimes). The park is quite big and there's lots of trails, so it's easy to get lost without a map. Because most of the trails are flat, anyone can come here and enjoy the nature. There's a bit of parking but it's really tiny, so get here a bit early to snag a spot. It's a beautiful place especially around the lakes, so I would definitely recommend coming here! read more

Driving out of this park, and then second later being on a highway looking at boston's not too far away skyline is very jolting. Minutes from somerville, you're on realy hiking trails in the woods, overlooking ponds and lakes, jumping over boulders, passing through fields. wow. Very well marked trails for the novice hiker or runner. Honestly, I can't believe how well maintained and natural looking this place is while being so close to boston. Its a miracle in its own right. -1 star because I don't want you going here. I like that its not crowded. read more

I first heard of Fells Reserve from a colleague. She and her husband hike there regularly. I decided to research the trails online and was elated to see that it was only 15min away from my place. The distance was appealing considering we were renting a car for the weekend and only had 4 hours before we had to return the rental. We weren't certain where to park when we arrived and wasn't sure what trail we would be close to. There wasn't many designated parking spots, but I believe we could've parked alongside the road. We found a small parking area and opted to path there instead. We started off on the sidewalk before venturing off into the woods. Again, we weren't sure where we were going since there weren't any signs. After pulling up our map we saw we were close to the Fells Reserve. It was beautiful! Eventually we found ourself along the Cross Fells Trails (I believe that's the right order), which was rated a difficult course on the website. It's a 5 hour trail one way, but we were only out the for 2.5 hours. The scenery was beautiful! It was amazing to see the Boston skyline from where we were. The trail was a reasonable course and this is coming from a person who has only hiked twice prior. I'd highly recommend you take a visit! read more

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I came here on a relatively warm yet ugly sort of day with snow still melting and the skies a shady grey. The paths were quite sloshy and muddy so I was glad I wore my taller hiking boots. My dog could have cared less about any of it! He loved running and looking what was ahead then waiting on me to catch up. That little speed devil! There were many peaks to climb and look out upon. My favorite part was along The Skyline Trail where Wright's Tower is and of course, a gorgeous skyline. Again, not the prettiest of days, but anytime you can get somewhere looking over the gorgeous Boston Skyline, it doesn't matter what the skies look like, it's still magnificent to look at! There are many trails to follow from easy peasy to a bit more advanced and skinnier trails. I'll admit, I did lose the trail a couple of times, not marked the best, but got back on track pretty quickly! There's relatively a good amount of parking and it was packed when I got there! I barely touched the amount of trails that are here so I will definitely come back with my pup to explore some more! read more

I went for a great mountain bike ride at the Fells tonight. I rode with the crew from NEMBA. This group rides every Thursday at 6:00. Rocky terrain, fast fire roads and tight single track all in the same park. You definitely want to ride with someone who knows the park your first time. Also keep a heads up for dogs and runners. Warning: The police stopped by and told us that cars have been stolen from the lot on both Tuesday and Wednesday night this week around dusk. Not just broken into, actually stolen. read more

I cannot NOT give the Middlesex Fells Reservation a 5-stars! Located along the 93 Interstate (close to Medford and Winchester), this is a perfect trail to hike while enjoying the beautiful Boston sceneries at its best! There are multiple trails that you can choose based on different levels of difficulty. If you're up for an adventure, I'd recommend the Skyline trail which allows you to see Boston from a higher altitude. Absolutely worth the hike! However, you can also take the Reservoir trail, which loops the Spot Pond and gives you a gorgeous view along the way as well. Unlike the Skyline trail, the Reservoir is more moderate, and perfect for a casual hike. Tip #1: This is also a dog-friendly trail, so bring your furry friends to enjoy the nature with you! Tip #2: Although the trail is pretty well-equipped with signs for direction, I'd still recommend taking the paper map with you just in case :) read more

Unleashed dogs running around everywhere even if it is not the designated spot. This place overall has more dogs than human.... it is not meant to be a dog park. Nothing against dog lovers but I think this is basic human respect. read more

As near as as I can tell, this is the best place for a hike that is less than an hour from Boston, except maybe the Blue hills. There are a few places where there are views such as a tower. That is a highlight. A major downside of this park is it is bisected by the freeway. The freeway sound is a presence for most of the hike. We also had trouble finding parking even in April and drove around a nearby neighborhood until we found a street that didn't have "permit parking only" signs. read more