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Wicked Summer Fun Guide

Wicked Summer Fun Guide

Wicked Summer Fun Guide

9 Awesome Places in Massachusetts To Walk Your Dog Off Leash  

By Carolyn Kruse

We all love the feeling of freedom. The freedom of warm weather; ditching the parka, opening the windows in your car and letting the breeze blow your hair. We love the freedom of a day off from work, with time on your hands. Our fur babies are no different. Most of them appreciate a walk in a park, woods or beach area. And Some live for  the freedom of a stroll alongside, without a human attached to the other end of the leash. If this is your pup, they will certainly appreciate these 9 awesome places in Massachusetts to walk your dog off leash.

As the owner of a dog who loves to run free, I am always in search of places that allow dogs off leash. Here, I am sharing the information I gathered from research and personal experience. With the help of Mass.gov, and Wickedlocal.com, you will find a list of some great spots to be free outside in beautiful surroundings. Some are near water, some are in woods, others in park settings. Check out these 9 awesome places in Massachusetts to walk your dog off leash.  Or should I say 9 pawsome places?

Keep in mind, with freedom comes responsibility. You have to keep an eye on your dog, always have him/her near you, pick up after yourself and obey the rules of the parks. Some of these places have off leash areas within the park, others are more open. There are some time and day restrictions on a few of these places as well. Always good to plan ahead.

 

  • 1. Stoddard's Neck and Abilgail Adams Park

    457 Lincoln St., Hingham

    Stodder’s Neck & Abigail Adams Park is a penninsula in Hingham that’s located at the mouth of the Back River. I love this place because it has it all. Beach walking with water for the dogs to swim, wooded trails and even a hilltop view. There is plenty of parking too.

    Stodder's Neck & Abigail Adams Park

    Stodder's Neck is a peninsula at the mouth of the Back River. The park provides harborside walking trails and a hilltop view.

  • 2. Middlesex Fells Reservation

    4 Woodland Road, Stoneham 

    Middlesex Fells Reservation offers an off leash hiking area for dogs at Sheepfold Meadow

    Middlesex Fells Reservation

    At Middlesex Fells, you can hike, bike, fish, or let your dog run free in the off-leash area. BOAT RENTALS ONLY. Rent a canoe or kayak to explore Spot Pond.

  • 3. Borderline State Park

    259 Massapoag Ave., North Easton

    As stated in mass.gov, at Borderline State Park, “there are trails for hiking, biking, or horseback riding, fishing and boating in the pond, and facilities for tennis and disc golf. There is also an historic mansion open for tours (without the dog).”

    Borderland State Park

    Borderland State Park features a historic mansion open for tours. This park also features trails for hiking, biking, or horseback riding, fishing and boating in the pond, and facilities for tennis and disc golf.

     

  • 4. Great Brook Farm State Park

    165 North Road, Carlisle

    You want space? You will certainly find it here at Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle. There are over 1,000-acres with more than 20 miles of trails, here. There’s also plenty of history, with Native American sites and 17th-century cellar holes from English settlers. There is also an active dairy farm you can tour on the weekends. Dogs are allowed off leash, with the exception of the parking lot and ice cream stand. They must be leashed in these areas. 

     

    Great Brook Farm State Park

    This 1000-acre park features more than 20 miles of trails. You can see notable Native American sites and 17th-century cellar holes leftover from English settlers. There's also an active dairy farm that offers free tours on weekends.

     

  • 5. Old Cold Spring Park

    Off Dunklee Street, Newton 

    There is a large off leash area for dogs in the 65-acre conservation and recreation area at Old Cold Spring Park in Newton. There are picnic tables here for you, too. The off-leash are is accessible from the Beacon Street entrance. Off leash dogs aren’t allowed on the trails. 

    https://www.newtonma.gov/government/parks-recreation-culture/off-leash-dog-parks/-fsiteid-1

  • 6. Geogetown-Rowley State Forest

    Route 97, Georgetown

    At Georgetown-Rowley State Forest there are more than 1,000 acres to explore. Plenty of hiking and biking areas here. 

     

    Georgetown-Rowley State Forest

    Explore over 1,000 acres of forest for year-round activities. Hike and bike during the warmer months. After the snow falls, hit the trails for skiing and snowmobiling.

  • 7. Whipple HIll

    Access at Winchester Drive and Summer Street in Lexington, and from Philemon Street and Skyline Drive in Arlington.

    Whipple Hill is Lexington’s second-largest conservation area. There are 120 acres and 3.9 miles of trails. From Wicked Local: “The town of Lexington provides a list of rules of bringing dogs to conservation areas. At Willard’s Woods: Dogs may be walked off leash on weekdays, but they must remain under the immediate restraint and control of their walker, either by leash, or voice and sight command.”

    Whipple Hill Loop Hiking Trail, Arlington, Massachusetts

    A local favorite for a nice stroll through the woods or more aerobic workout to the highest point in Lexington. Near Arlington, Massachusetts.

     

  • 8. Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest

    Trotting Park Road, Lowell

    The Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest spreads across 3 towns and features over 1,000 acres to explore. There are plenty of ponds, swamps, and wetlands here as well. According to the Chelmsford Dog Association, “Well-behaved dogs are allowed off leash here. This is a massive place, so take care if you decide to let your dog explore off leash. The walk we took starts at Trotting Park Road in Lowell. This is a dead end street with parking for the state forest.”

    Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest

    The forest spreads across 3 towns and features over 1,000 acres to explore. Hike, bike, or ski though 6 miles of trails. You'll also find plenty of ponds, swamps, and wetlands great for boating or fishing.

  • 9. Kent's Point

    40 Kexiahs Lane, Orleans (Access from and parking on Frost Fish Lane)

    Kent’s Point is my favorite place, so far, to take our dog in the summer. It’s not an enormous space but it’s beautiful, and the water is so nice, the dogs and people love it. The walk has coastline, on Pleasant Bay, and woods to walk. The views are incredible and people are always so friendly. There is parking, but it fills up quickly in the summer.

    Kent's Point, Orleans - Slideshow - Cape Cod Wave

    ORLEANS - Kent's Point Conservation Area in Orleans is a superlative conservation area, just a few miles from the center of town. You'll need a map to find it but it is well worth exploring. Kent's Point is known for being dog-friendly. One of us is a self-proclaimed dog person.

     

     

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