Rules & Regulations at Middlesex Fells Reservation

Middlesex Fells Reservation is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). These rules apply throughout the reservation and are in place to protect the park, its wildlife, and everyone who uses it. Please review them before your visit.

Park Hours

The reservation is open sunrise to sunset daily. Parking lot gates open at 9:00 AM.

General Rules

• No fires. Open fires are not permitted anywhere in the reservation.
• No grilling. Charcoal and gas grills are not permitted.
• No camping. Overnight stays are not allowed.
• No motorized vehicles on trails or off-road areas.
• Stay on designated trails. Do not go off-trail.
• Avoid unpaved trails when wet. Wet trail conditions cause erosion and damage the trail surface. Please wait after rain before hiking or biking.
• No trespassing on Town of Winchester Water Supply Lands. Portions of land adjacent to the reservation are restricted water supply property — stay on marked DCR trails.

Water Rules

• No swimming. Swimming is not permitted in the reservation's ponds and reservoirs, including Spot Pond and Bellevue Pond. The one exception is the City of Medford's lifeguarded beach at Wright's Pond, for Medford residents with a pass, late June to late August.
• No personal watercraft. Private kayaks, canoes, and other personal vessels are not permitted on the water.
• Boat rentals only. Kayak and canoe rentals are available through Paddle Boston at Spot Pond. This is the only permitted way to get on the water at Middlesex Fells.

Dogs

• Dogs must be on a leash at all times, except in the designated off-leash area at Sheepfold Meadow.
• Maximum 4 dogs per handler.
• For full details on the off-leash area, visit our Dog Park page.

Biking

• Mountain biking is permitted on designated trails only. Riding on hiking-only trails is not allowed.
• For a full list of designated mountain biking trails, visit our Mountain Biking page and the Trail Map.

Horseback Riding

• Horses are permitted on designated bridle paths only.
• See our Horseback Riding page for details on permitted routes.

Leave No Trace

• Pack out everything you bring in. There are no trash pickups on the trails.
• Stay on marked trails to protect vegetation and wildlife habitat.
• Respect other visitors — keep noise levels reasonable and yield appropriately on shared trails.

Contact & Reporting

For questions about rules, trail conditions, or to report issues in the reservation, contact the DCR directly:

• Phone: 781-590-2100
• Address: 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham, MA 02180
• Official site: mass.gov/locations/middlesex-fells-reservation

More at Middlesex Fells

• Parking and Directions
• Hours and Fees
• Dog Park
• Trail Map
• Accessible Recreation