Middlesex Fells Parking: Every Lot and When Gates Open

Parking at the Middlesex Fells is free at DCR lots around the reservation. The gated lots open around 9 AM and are locked within a half hour after sunset, so early hikers should use the ungated lots and pull-offs.

The quickest way to choose: pick what you want to do, then park at the matching lot below.

Quick Guide: Which Lot for What

• Wright's Tower and Bellevue Pond: Bellevue Pond lot, South Border Road, Medford (west side, gated).
• Off-leash dog field: Sheepfold lot, off Route 28, Stoneham (west side, gated).
• Skyline Trail: Bellevue Pond, Long Pond or Sheepfold lots (west side).
• Long Pond Nature Trail: Long Pond lot, South Border Road, Winchester (west side, gated).
• Spot Pond, boat rentals and the visitor center: Botume House lot, 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham (east side).
• Rock Circuit and Cross Fells trails: Flynn Rink lot, 300 Elm Street, Medford (east side).
• Stone Zoo side trails: Greenwood Park, Pond Street, Stoneham (east side, gated).

South Border Road (Bellevue Pond) Lot

Two gated DCR lots sit on South Border Road: Bellevue Pond in Medford and Long Pond in Winchester. For Wright's Tower, use Bellevue Pond. Its entrance is about 0.2 miles up South Border Road from Roosevelt Circle, on the right. Being gated, it opens around 9 AM.

From the lot, trails and wide fire roads circle Bellevue Pond and climb to Wright's Tower, which looks out over the Boston Basin. Lawrence Woods, an area of fire roads, views and vernal pools, sits on the southwest side of South Border Road.

DCR also lists free pull-offs along South Border Road. Read the signs before you park outside a lot, and never block a gate.

Sheepfold Lot (Route 28)

The Sheepfold parking area is off Route 28 (Fellsway West) in Stoneham. Searching for the Upper Sheepfold lot? It's here at the Sheepfold. It's gated, so plan on the 9 AM opening.

The lot serves the Sheepfold, a 5-acre open field where dogs can be off leash under voice control. DCR calls it one of the main entryways to the trails in the western half of the Fells. The Skyline Trail is reachable from here, and Friends of the Fells leads walks from the Sheepfold to Bear Hill.

Bear Hill and Long Pond Lots

Friends of the Fells lists both as gated lots that usually open at 9 AM. The Long Pond lot is on South Border Road in Winchester. It leads to the 1.7-mile Long Pond Nature Trail, which is for walkers only. No bikes.

For Bear Hill, check the Friends of the Fells map link before you go. Their Bear Hill walks also meet at Gate 21 on Fallon Road in Stoneham.

Woodland Road Lots: Botume House, Flynn Rink and Virginia Wood

This is the east side hub. DCR lists three free lots on Woodland Road. The Botume House Visitor Center is at 4 Woodland Road in Stoneham, on the eastern shore of Spot Pond. The Spot Pond boat rentals share that address.

The Flynn Rink lot, at 300 Elm Street in Medford, is DCR's suggested start for the Rock Circuit Trail. Cross Woodland Road and take the Woodland Path uphill. Virginia Wood, a hemlock grove with a self-guided history trail, is also on Woodland Road. Bikes aren't allowed on its trails.

Pond Street: Greenwood Park and the Stone Zoo

DCR lists free parking at Greenwood Park, the Stone Zoo and one pull-off on Pond Street in Stoneham. Greenwood Park is across from the Stone Zoo and is gated. Two trail entrances leave from the park: one behind the playground, and one behind the big field to the right of the park.

Other Free Lots and Pull-Offs

• Straw Point parking area, at the corner of South Street and Route 28.
• Jerry Jingle Park on Lynn Fells Parkway. DCR asks you to use caution crossing to the reservation.
• Crystal Springs parking area on Lynn Fells Parkway.
• One pull-off on Fellsway East.

Parking Rules and Tips

• All DCR lots listed here are free.
• Gated lots open around 9 AM. Getting there earlier means waiting at a locked gate.
• Gated lots are locked within a half hour after sunset. The reservation itself is open dawn to dusk. See hours.
• Outside the lots, follow posted signs, respect neighbors, and don't block gates.
• Don't leave valuables in your car.

No Car? Take the T

Oak Grove station on the Orange Line is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the east side. Friends of the Fells also lists three bus routes: the #100 to Roosevelt Circle for Bellevue Pond, the #99 to Woodland Road for the Botume House, and the #132 to the Stone Zoo and Greenwood Park. Details are on our public transit page.