Plan Your Visit to Blue Hills Reservation

To plan a Blue Hills visit, pick what you want to do first, because each part of the reservation has its own lot. The reservation is open dawn to dusk year-round, DCR lists no entrance fee, and weekends are busy, so arrive early or take the MBTA 716 bus. Bring a trail map, water and shoes with grip.

Pick Your Day

• First visit, want a view: hike Great Blue Hill from the Trailside Museum, climb Eliot Tower, and visit the museum's animals.
• Hot summer day: swim at Houghton's Pond, then walk the flat pond loop.
• Serious hike: the 2.6-mile Skyline Loop from Reservation Headquarters, or the full 7.5-mile traverse.
• Quiet morning: the Ponkapoag Pond Loop and its bog boardwalk.
• Winter: Blue Hills Ski Area, or cross-country skiing on the trails after a snowfall.
• Climbing or history: the Quincy Quarries.
• Rainy day: the Trailside Museum's indoor exhibits, or a tour of the Blue Hill Observatory.

Best Time to Visit

Each season has a reason to go. Spring and fall bring hawk migration over the summits, and October is when the most people search for Blue Hills hikes, for the foliage. Summer is swimming season at Houghton's Pond, with lifeguards every day from June 15 to Labor Day. Winter means the ski area, generally mid-December to mid-March.

A few dates to plan around:

• March: all mountain bike trails are closed.
• January: the Blue Hill Observatory is closed all month.
• Mondays: the observatory is closed, and the Trailside Museum's indoor exhibits are usually closed (except Monday holidays and school vacation weeks).
• Summer weekends: Houghton's Pond fills early. Swimming runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..

Avoiding Crowds

DCR's map warns that public parking is limited and to expect heavy use, especially on weekends. Going on a weekday avoids the weekend rush DCR warns about. On weekends, arrive early, share a ride, or take the bus: MBTA route 716 from Mattapan Station serves the Trailside Museum, ski area and Houghton's Pond. Every lot is on our parking page.

What to Bring

• A trail map. DCR's PDF is free, and printed copies are sold at headquarters and the Trailside Museum.
• Water. DCR warns that drinking water may not be available on the trails.
• Sturdy shoes with grip for the rocky summit trails, and layers for changing weather.
• Sunscreen for the open ledges, and a headlamp if you're out near dusk.
• A leash for your dog, 10 feet or shorter.
• Money for admission or tickets if you plan to visit the museum, observatory or ski area.

Know Before You Go

• Dogs: allowed on a leash, but not on the Houghton's Pond beach or the Trailside Museum grounds. Full list on our rules page.
• No alcohol and no open fires anywhere in the reservation.
• Camping only at AMC Ponkapoag Camp, by reservation.
• Stay on marked trails. Protected rattlesnakes and copperheads live here; they avoid people.
• Pace: DCR uses 1.5 miles an hour for an average hiker. The rocky trails are slower.
• Share your plans with someone, and keep your group together, as DCR advises.

Planning Pages

Hours and fees · Parking and directions · Trail map · Best hikes · FAQ. For official alerts and closures, check DCR's Blue Hills Reservation page.