1. Cat Rock Park, Weston
Cat Rock Park is open to Weston residents seven days a week and non-Weston residents on weekdays. There is a small parking lot at the end of Drabbington Way. Of note, the town does fine non-residents $30 for parking here on a weekend. I always went on weekdays anyway, as most off leash hiking areas can be packed on weekends. This is a beautiful park that offers hiking trails, a big pond for swimming, and a large open field where your dog can run around and meet/play with other dogs off leash.
2. Bowers Springs, Bolton
Bowers Springs has a small parking lot at the end of Flanagan Road. It offers a grassy field, wooded trails, and a large pond for swimming. Dogs are allowed off leash, but there are residential homes close by on the outskirts of the property. Watch for ticks if your dog likes to roam! Max once ran through the bog on the outskirts of the property and must have gone through a tick nest because I pulled sixteen ticks off him when we got home! We have always encountered friendly dogs and owners here. One summer, my friend and I even threw our dogs a joint birthday party here!
3. Sheepfold Dog Park, Stoneham
Sheepfold Dog Park is a very large, open field in Middlesex Fells Reservation. There are numerous trails surrounding the field and three large reservoirs nearby in “the Fells.” The rules are that dogs must be on-leash on the trails, but can be off leash in the field, and that no dogs or humans are allowed to swim in the reservoirs. However, I will tell you that in reality the majority of the dogs are also off leash on the trails and swim in the reservoir. The locals told me that in the summer there is a park ranger that occasionally drives down the main trail in a truck and tells people to put their dog on leash. I never came across him and we frequented Sheepfold often. This place is like dog heaven. This is absolutely Max’s favorite place to hike. Do be careful, as trails are not well labeled and it is easy to get lost in the maze of Middlesex Fells Reservation. Even just an hour here leaves Max exhausted and ready for a nap.
