Houghton's Pond

Houghton's Pond is the swimming beach of the Blue Hills Reservation, at 840 Hillside Street, Milton, MA 02186. Parking is free. DCR opens the swimming area from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with lifeguards on weekends from Memorial Day, then every day from June 15 to Labor Day. Dogs are welcome on a leash in the park but not on the beach.

The 24-acre pond sits just off Hillside Street in Milton, a quarter mile south of Reservation Headquarters. It's the busiest corner of the reservation in summer, and the trailhead for several of DCR's recommended hikes the rest of the year.

Swimming at Houghton's Pond

Swimming is allowed only in the supervised area off the beach. DCR lists the swimming hours as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Lifeguards are on duty on Memorial Day and weekends until June 14, then every day from June 15 until Labor Day.

DCR's beach and swimming rules are stricter than many people expect, so read them before you pack the car:

• No swimming outside the supervised area.
• No flotation devices, masks or snorkels.
• No balls or Frisbees on the beach.
• No grills or open fires on the beach.
• No pets or horses on the beach or in the water.
• No fishing from the beach.

The bathhouse has restrooms, and DCR lists seasonal outdoor showers and changing stalls. For accessibility, DCR provides a beach mat and beach wheelchairs at Houghton's Pond.

Parking and Crowds

Parking at Houghton's Pond is free. The lots close at 8 p.m. unless a sign says otherwise. DCR's own map warns that parking is limited and asks visitors to share rides, especially on summer weekends, when the pond and picnic areas fill up. Other lots around the reservation are on our parking page.

On a hot weekend, arriving before late morning is the simplest way to get a space. Weekday evenings after the lifeguards leave are quieter, but swimming is not allowed then.

Getting There by Bus

MBTA bus 716 runs from Mattapan Station toward Canton and serves the west side of the reservation. In 2026, DCR listed a Houghton's Pond service on the 716 every 45 minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from May 23 through October 11. Check the MBTA's schedule for the current season.

Fishing

Houghton's Pond holds trout, and DCR's map says it's stocked seasonally. Anyone fishing needs a Massachusetts fishing license. Fishing from the swimming beach is not allowed, so fish from the rest of the shoreline. Boats of any kind are not allowed on Houghton's Pond. If you want to paddle, Ponkapoag Pond in Canton is the only pond in the reservation open to boats.

Picnics and Grills

Picnic sites at Houghton's Pond are first come, first served. DCR asks each group to use no more than two picnic tables, and points small groups to sites 1 and 2. Propane grills are allowed in designated areas only. Charcoal, ground fires and wood fires are not.

Groups of 25 or more need a DCR permit. Group picnic sites can be reserved through ReserveAmerica. If you want charcoal, DCR's map lists charcoal grills and tables at Chickatawbut Overlook on Chickatawbut Road instead.

Visitor Center and Marigold Marsh

A small, free visitor center at the pond has park information and exhibits on the human history of the Blue Hills, with restrooms open year-round. DCR posts its free program schedule there. The visitor center looks over Marigold Marsh, which has an accessible boardwalk and viewing platforms with signs about the wetland.

The recreation area also has a playground, a seasonal food concession, a first-aid station and two athletic fields on the southeast side of the pond. The fields are reserved through DCR's athletic field scheduling.

Hikes That Start at Houghton's Pond

The easiest walk is the 0.75-mile Houghton's Pond Loop, marked with yellow dots, which DCR says takes about 30 minutes. DCR recommends it for fall foliage.

• Dark Hollow Loop: 2 miles of mostly level woods marked with green dots, around the base of Tucker Hill. About 1.5 hours.
• Buck Hill Loop: 3.5 miles with a steep climb to a rocky summit and a wide view over the reservation. Follow the red dots past the bathhouse.
• Forest Path Loop: 6 miles marked with white triangles, ridden or walked counterclockwise only. A good first mountain bike loop.

The Skyline Trail crosses the hills just north of the pond, so you can link a pond loop to a summit. The trail map shows the intersection numbers.

Other Rules at Houghton's Pond

Alcohol is not allowed, and neither are metal detectors or amplified music. Dogs must be on a leash and their waste picked up. DCR's full list is on its Houghton's Pond page, and the reservation-wide rules are on our rules page.