Wright's Tower at Middlesex Fells Reservation
Wright's Tower is a historic stone observation tower located at the summit of Pine Hill in Middlesex Fells Reservation. At roughly 240 feet above sea level, it offers panoramic views across eastern Massachusetts, including clear-day sightlines to the Boston skyline.
About the Tower
Built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and named in honor of Elizur Wright, the 19th-century conservationist who first campaigned to preserve the Middlesex Fells as public parkland, the tower is a stone structure open to the public year-round. Climbing to the top is free and takes just a few minutes. The tower is one of the most distinctive landmarks in the reservation and a favorite destination for hikers.
How to Get There
Wright's Tower is accessible by foot only — there is no road to the summit. The closest parking is at the pull-offs on South Border Road in Medford, near Bellevue Pond, or at the Sheepfold lot off Fellsway West. From either, the hike to the summit is under a mile.
What You'll See From the Top
On a clear day the tower offers 360-degree views including:
- The Boston skyline to the southeast
- The Middlesex Fells forest canopy in every direction
- The wooded ridgeline of the West Fells
Sunrise and fall foliage visits are especially popular.
Best Trails to the Summit
South Border Road to the Tower
The quickest way up is from the pull-offs on South Border Road near Bellevue Pond, in Medford. From the lot, follow Quarry Road Path to the junction where signs point toward Wright's Tower, the Cross Fells Trail, and the Skyline Trail — the hike to the summit is well under a mile.
Skyline Trail to the Tower
The Skyline Trail — the reservation's main ridgeline route — passes directly by Wright's Tower on its way through the West Fells. It's a good way to combine the summit with a longer loop through the reservation.
For a full map of trails leading to the tower, visit our Trail Map page. Before heading out, review parking options to find the closest lot to your route.