Take a walk, go for a hike or have a picnic. Plants and animals are not to be harmed or removed and remember to leave behind only footprints! Abutting areas are not open to the public. If parking areas are full, please try another. For the very few that do charge admission check with your library for passes that allow free or reduced admissions.
Hudson
Danforth Falls
Route 85 (towards Bolton)
Small parking lot that can hold 2 or 3 cars. Hiking on clearly marked paths. Danforth Falls is less than a mile from the road with fishing along the brook.
Marlboro-Sudbury State Forest
Main Street or White Pond Road, Hudson
Hiking/marked trails, you may even see a deer.
Assabet River
Enter at canoe landing on Chapin Road near bridge.
A marked trail, less than a mile, following the Assabet River.
Gates Pond
Taylor Road, off Rte. 62 West, Berlin
Just over the Hudson border. As you drive under 495, turn left before the gas station. Easily traveled gravel road that circles Gates Pond. A full circle walk is approximately 2 miles.
Rail to Trail
Several "entry points" with parking in Hudson and Marlboro; Rte. 62 in Hudson, Main St., by Dairy Joy in Hudson, Rte. 85 at Brooks Drug Store in Hudson, Fitchburg St. by the Assabet Tech School in Marlboro, Mechanic St. in Marlboro.
This paved "reclaimed" train track is great for walking, bikes, cc-skiing- all seasons! Uphill from Hudson heading into Marlboro but down hill the other way!
Marlboro
Ghiloni Park
Concord Road
A paved nature trail winds through the Concord Road Recreation Area. A guide is available at the recreation office. Also available at this location are restrooms (seasonal) and two playgrounds.
Callahan State Park
Parking lot and entrance on Broadmeadow Road.
Well marked walking trails, cross country skiing on 900 acres. Part of this property lies in Framingham.
The Grove
Route 85 just after causeway.
A nice place for a short hike with wide trails, picnic area and a canoe launch area.
The Desert
Concord Road/Hemenway Street Exit, off Concord Road
Extensive trails on 600 plus acres in Marlboro and Sudbury.
Felton Conservation
Located on Elm Street across from Marlboro Fish and Game.
Holts Grove
Stevens Street - off Stevens Street and High School parking lot
Wooded loop trail.
Northboro
Mount Pisgah
Green Street and Ball Hill Road, take Green Street to Smith Road. Look for the sign marked Northboro Conservation
A simply delightful place to hike featuring marked trails and Northboro's highest point.
Southboro
St. Mark's School West Field
Parking for 3 cars off Sears Road opposite the intersection with Sadie Hutt Lane.
Upper half of loop is paved.
Neary School Grounds
Parking area off Parkerville Road overlooking the skating pond.
Playground available when school is not in session.
Phillips Farm
Access is from Middle Road - stay in walkways.
Breakneck Hill Conservation Land
Park in designated area off of Breakneck Hill Road at the southwest corner of the orchard.
A great spot for bird watching.
Turenne Wildlife Habitat
Follow Walnut Drive until the street bends sharply to the left. Continue straight on to the Bay Path for 50 yards. Once you pass a garage on the left, continue slowly straight along Bay Path for another 30 yards to the parking area.
Town Forest
This location can be reached from Walnut Drive, with parking at the Turenne Wildlife Habitat (see above).
Pine Hill Trail
Access is on Parmenter Road, Marlboro 0.2 miles west of entrance to Harvard University, Southborough Campus.
Westboro
Walkup Reservation
Located at the intersection of Flanders and Lyons Road, this is a 6.2 acre reservation with excellent trails for walking and jogging.
Chauncy Lake/Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation
To access the trails from Fisheries and Wildlife take Route 135 N past Route 9. Turn right on North Drive (sign for Mass Technology Park). Follow road up hill and follow signs to DFW field HQ. At the far end of the parking lot there is a narrow road, normally gated. To access trails from Chauncy Lake take East Main Street (Route 30E) to Lyman Street. Take Lyman across Route 9 then take a left on Chauncy Road. The first right is a dirt road. Parking, trails and boat launch are down this road. Note the beach is for Northboro and Westboro residents only. Pocket trail maps available from kiosk.
Sawink Farm and Cedar Hill
From the Westboro rotary, take East Main Street (Route 30E) past Route 9. Continue approximately 1 mile to Walker Street. Turn left onto Walker Street and travel until the road becomes unpaved. Parking is on the right. Pocket maps available at parking lot.
Bowman Street Conservation Area (Sandra Pond)
From the Westboro rotary, take South Street (Route 135 S) to fork at Upton Road. Bear right on Upton Road and go approximately 2 miles, passing over the Mass Turnpike. Take the first right past the pike on Bowman Street (easy to miss). Pass back under the pike and parking lot is on the right. Three trails on 144 acres and one goes to an island in dry weather. Longest trail is 0.8 mile loop.
SuAsCo (Mill Pond)
From the rotary, take West Main Street (Route 30 W) to Mill Road. Turn right on Mill Road and continue about half a mile to pond. Parking on both sides of the road. From parking area walk over dam and into woods along the shore of the reservoir. The trail is about .75 miles, from the point the great blue heron rookery can be seen. Popular place for canoeing, fishing and bird watching.