Welcome to the Blue Hills!

Yes! The Blue Hills Reservation is open every day, from dawn to dusk, throughout the year. 

There’s no entrance fee to visit the Blue Hills, and parking is free. 

• Hiking
• Picnicking
• Mountain biking (on designated trails)
• Horseback riding
• Paddling sports (Ponkapoag only)
• Fishing
• Trail running
• Climbing 
• Dog walking (on leash)
• Cross country skiing
• Snowshoeing 
• Downhill skiing

• Littering (please pack in pack out)
• Camping
• Commercial activities (except by permit)
• Motorized activities

Yes, there are public restrooms at Houghton’s Pond and at the Trailside Museum. Hours of operations vary by season, but generally are open 9 am – 4 pm.

You can download a free trail map on the FBH website or pick one up at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum or Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center. If you become an FBH member, we will send you a printed map in your welcome packet.

Parking at the Blue Hills Reservation is free, unlike other parking areas managed by DCR. If you will be going to other DCR parks, it’s smart to get a DCR parking pass.

Weekends can be busy so try to arrive early or visit less-crowded trailheads (your trail map can help you find one near you). Please park only in designated spaces to protect vegetation and keep roads clear.

Yes! MBTA bus routes 238, 240, and 716 make stops near various points in the Blue Reservation. The 238 bus stops at Shea Rink in Quincy, the 240 bus stops at a couple trailheads along Randolph Avenue in Milton, and the 716 stops at the Trailside Museum and near Ponkapoag Golf Course. 

In Summer 2025, the 716 bus also stopped at the Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area on Saturdays from June to October. We are hopeful that the Houghton stop will start up again in Spring 2026.

The Skyline Trail is the park’s signature route — about 9 miles one way, with rocky climbs and rewarding views of Boston. If you’re not feeling up for some scrambling and rocky stair climbing, consider one of the Red Dot trails around the park. They are rocky and hilly but are not quite as challenging as the Skyline Trail. An official trail map can help you identify these routes as well as others that will be the perfect fit for you.

Yes, dogs are welcome in the park but must be leashed at all times. There are no off-leash areas in the park. Please clean up after your pet to keep the park safe and pleasant for everyone. That means bagging dog waste and bringing it out of the park. The Blue Hills Reservation relies on “leave no trace” practices such as this to ensure that everyone can enjoy the park without having to clean up after each other.

Mountain biking is allowed on designated trails. Please respect trail signage that shows when a trail is not mountain-bike friendly and watch for seasonal closures to protect sensitive areas. Remember the right-of-way hierarchy while on trail, too:

Bikers yield to hikers.

Hikers & bikers yield to horses.

Here’s a brochure from DCR on mountain biking in the park. It contains the most recent map of mountain biking trails in the Blue Hills. The New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) is also a great source for information on mountain biking trails across New England, including the Blue Hills.

Yes! Houghton’s Pond is a popular swimming and picnic area in summer. According to DCR, lifeguards are on duty 10 am to 6 pm, Memorial Day and weekends until June 14, then 7 days a week from June 15 until Labor Day.

As long as you carry out anything you carry into the park (and don’t have any open flames outside Houghton’s authorized grilling areas), you can picnic almost anywhere. Larger groups may need a DCR permit for gatherings.

Both Houghton’s Pond and Ponkapoag Pond allow fishing with a Massachusetts fishing license. However, swimming is not allowed at Ponkapoag Pond except in a designated area managed by the AMC Ponkapoag Family Camp. 

Technically, camping is allowed in the Blue Hills Reservation, but it is restricted to specific areas such as the AMC Ponkapoag Family Camp. Reservations are required. General camping and other camping-style activities (like overnight hammock camping) are not permitted, and other recreational camping-style activities, like overnight hammock camping, are prohibited. 

Yes — FBH offers regular guided hikes, volunteer days, educational programs, and community events both inside and out of the park. Check our events calendar for details. Additional programming at Houghton’s Pond can be found on DCR’s website.

Foraging is not currently allowed in the park. On DCR lands, removing plants or other natural materials is not officially permitted unless specifically authorized or special permits are granted.

Tick season is every season in Massachusetts, so it’s important to stay vigilant. Staying on marked trails, wearing long pants and repellent, and checking for ticks after your hike are always a good idea. If you walk your dog in the Blue Hills, be sure to check them, too. Here are other recommendations from the CDC.

Poison ivy is common in the Blue Hills and can grow as a vine, shrub, or groundcover. But if you know what it looks like and stay on trail, you can usually avoid it. “Leaves of three, let it be” is good advice all year long.

Fires are not permitted in the reservation except in designated grills at Houghton’s Pond picnic sites.

Drones and metal detectors are not allowed without a special permit from DCR.

For emergencies and law-breaking, please call 911. You may be rerouted to the State Police. You can report fallen trees, erosion, or other maintenance needs right on the FBH website.

Yes, the Blue Hills Ski Area operates within the reservation during the winter months under a lease agreement with DCR.

Mid to late October usually offers the most brilliant colors across the hills. But, as we saw in 2025, drought conditions in the area can mute fall foliage due to the stress on the trees. DCR has an online fall foliage map that can help you identify the best time to visit the park to see the leaves change color.

Restrooms and visitor centers are available at Houghton’s Pond and the Trailside Museum. The Trailside Museum visitor center also has exhibits on local wildlife.

Several areas, including Houghton’s Pond and select trails, offer accessible facilities and paths. Contact DCR for specific accessibility information.

Picnics are welcome – just be sure to “leave no trace” by taking out anything you bring into the park. Note that alcohol is not allowed in the Blue Hills Reservation and other DCR parks. 

Join one of our trail maintenance days, cleanups, or invasive plant pulls! Visit our website calendar to see when our next event will be and then sign up.

Absolutely. We organize group volunteer days for businesses, schools, and community organizations. Contact us to plan your outing. If you’d like to enjoy time in the park with colleagues and be part of the FBH team as a corporate member, learn more about doing good for the park while doing good for your company here. 

There are so many ways to help take care of the park. Become a member, volunteer, buy merch, or donate to FBH by clicking one of the buttons at the top of this page. Your support helps protect and preserve this special place for generations to come.