Fells Home News and Archives /friends

Botume House Visitor Center - Middlesex Fells Reservation
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
4 Woodland Road, Stoneham

The Middlesex Fells Reservation is open from dawn to dusk. The large parking
areas are gated and are usually open by 9:30am and locked within a half hour
after sunset. The small parking areas are always open.

     
Botume House in spring      photo:  Mike Ryan


Information about Friends of the Middlesex Fells and DCR activities is available at the Botume House, as well as the Middlesex Fells trail map with a natural and cultural history of the Fells on the back ($5 exact change). The free Spot Pond Brook Archaeological District self guided tour pamphlet which includes maps and photographs is also available. Many of the Visitor Center programs are posted here on the Activities page. You can also learn about current programs by calling the Visitor Center at (781)662-5214.

The Botume House Visitor Center is located at 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham on the eastern shore of Spot Pond one half mile south from the Stone Zoo. For information about DCR click here.

DCR Middlesex Fells Reservation Visitor Rules and Regulations

The Fells is well loved and visited by thousands each year.  To ensure that visitors have a quality experience and that the park is protected, the Department of Conservation and Recreation requires that its Rules and Regulations be followed.  These may be found here.

You may assist DCR rangers by reporting emergency situations or activities which are bringing harm to the Fells or endangering Fells visitors.  The contact numbers are:
STATE POLICE (from a cell phone): 911
STATE POLICE (Medford Barracks): 1-978-538-6161
24 Hour DCR Park Rangers: 1-866-PK-WATCH
DCR North Region Headquarters: 1-617-727-1199
Lynn Hildenbrand, 617-727-1199, ext. 420
Arson Hotline: 1-800-682-9229





More to Come....

Please check out our Activities and Events page for information on hikes, special programming, and much much more!



Here are Fells Activities
you may be interested in:

Evergreens and Cool Plants

Monday, February 8  9:15am to 11:30am  

Leader: Boot Boutwell   We will search the Long Pond area for evergreens as well as other recognizable plants of winter. As always, we will focus on fun and interesting natural history about these plants. Meet at the Long Pond parking lot, South Border Rd., Winchester. Heavy rain or heavy snow cancels. For more information, call Boot Boutwell at 781-729-4712


Rock Circuit Trail Exploration 

Wednesday, February 17  10:30am to 3:00pm

Leader: Bob Weggel   Snowshoe or hike if there is too little snow the Rock Circuit Trail with Friends of the Fells board member Bob Weggel. Bring plenty of water and a snack for this strenuous excursion. Meet at the Flynn Rink parking lot at the intersection of Elm St. and Woodland Rd., Medford.

       Skyline Trail Hike
Saturday, March 20  10:30am to 3:00pm

Leader: Bob Weggel   Hike (or snowshoe, if conditions allow) the full 6.9 strenuous miles of the Skyline Trail with Friends of the Fells board member Bob Weggel. Bring water and lunch. Meet at the map near the northwest end of Sheepfold parking area, off Fellsway West/Route 28, Stoneham.
 
             Reservoir Trail Hike
Sunday, March 21 12:30pm to 4:00pm


Leader: Karina Assister  Join Karina exploring winter on the Reservoir Trail. Bring water and wear hiking boots or snowshoes, depending on conditions. Meet at the Sheepfold Parking Lot on Route 28 in Stoneham. Rain, high winds or heavy snow cancels. For more information, please call Karina at (781) 866-6050.
 
             Spot Pond Family Hike
Sunday, March 21 1:30pm to 3:30pm 
                                      

Leader: Brian McBride  Join Brian (of Bay State Kids Outdoors, www.bsko.org) for a 2-mile family hike around Spot Pond. Terrain is suitable for strollers. Meet at the DCR Botume House Visitor Center, 4 Woodland Road in Stoneham. Rain cancels.



Directions to the Middlesex Fells Reservation?

Scroll down.

 


Bellevue Pond visitors        Mike Ryan photo



Historic Postcard


How to Get Here:

 trolley car bus

 Directions to the Middlesex Fells Reservation:
 
To the West Side of the Middlesex Fells: Orange Line to Wellington Station, MBTA bus #100 to Roosevelt Circle Rotary.  Walk south to the rotary, turn right on South Border Road, Bellevue Pond entrance to the Reservation is 0.2 mile up South Border Road on the right.


To the East Side of the Middlesex Fells: Orange Line to Oak Grove Station, exist on the Washington Street side and head north on Washington Street (away from Boston).  Washington Street bears left at intersection with Pleasant Street.  Go one more block up Washington Street and turn left on Goodyear Avenue.  Goodyear Avenue is one short, steep block long and ends at the Gate 58 entrance to the Reservation at the east end of the blue blazed Cross Fells Trail.  The Reservation is a 10-15 minute walk from the Oak Grove Station.
 
By Car:

From North
To the West Side of the Middlesex Fells: Interstate 93 South to exit 35.  At stop sign go left under highway.   At next stop sign go right.  At first set of lights turn right onto Route 28.  Turn right at Sheepfold entrance.
OR
Interstate 93 South to exit 33 (Route 28).  Take first right onto South Border Road. Bellevue Pond entrance is on the right in 0.1 mile and Long Pond entrance in 2.0 miles.
OR
To the East Side of the Middlesex Fells: Interstate 93 South to exit 35.  At stop sign go left under highway.  At next stop sign go right.  Go straight at first set of lights.  The Botume House Visitor Center is 0.5 miles past Stone Zoo on the right.
From South

93 North to exit 33(RT28N) for Sheepfold or proceed halfway around rotary and take South Border Road for Bellevue Pond.