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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
 
 
Here are Fells Activities you may be interested in:
 

Long Pond Nature Trail   Sunday, July 18 1:00 to 3:00pm 
                  
Leader: Scott Parkhill  Join Scott on a tour of the Long Pond Nature Trail. Scott is a recent graduate of Winchester High School and plans to begin studying Wildlife Biology in the fall. Meet at the Long Pond parking lot, South Border Rd., Winchester. Heavy rain cancels.

Hike the Southern Fells   Saturday, July 24 10:00am to 12:30pm  
                      
Leader: Dan Sumorok   Join Dan Sumorok on a hiking tour of the southernmost part of the Fells on the Skyline, Reservoir, and Cross Fells trails. The walk will end with a visit to Pine Hill and Wright’s Tower, where the view includes Medford, Boston, and the Blue Hills in the distance. The trails are steep and rocky in places. Wear sturdy boots and bring food and at least a liter of water. Meet at the Bellevue Pond parking area, South Border Rd., Medford. Rain cancels.
 
DCR Rangers Hike  Saturday July 24, 10:00am - 1:00pm
 
Leader: DCR Ranger  Advanced level hike covers several miles and may be too streuous for children under 10.  No dogs, please.  Meet at Botume House, 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham.  For more information call 781.233.0834


Hike n’ Carry at Virginia Wood   Sunday, July 25  2:00 to 4:00pm 
              
Leader: Rich Sanford  Join Rich for an all-ages hike and trail clean up on the Virginia Wood Historic Trail. Strollers are not recommended. Bags, gloves, and verification of two community service hours will be provided. Meet at the Virginia Wood parking lot, intersection of Woodland Rd. and Pond St., Stoneham. Rain cancels.

Summer Wildflowers at Bellevue Pond  Wednesday, August 4  9:15 to 11:30am
           
Leader: Boot Boutwell  Join Boot Boutwell in search of mid-summer wildflowers at Bellevue Pond. The walk will focus on plant ID as well as fun and interesting natural history. Meet at Bellevue Pond parking area, South Border Rd. in Medford. Steady rain cancels.

Photography Discovery Hike  Saturday, August 7  9:00 to 11:00am   
       
Leader: Mike Ryan  Join professional photographer and Friends of the Fells Executive Director Mike Ryan for a walk in search of photographic opportunities—water bodies and other natural features—in the eastern Fells. Remember your sturdy footwear, camera, and a notepad. Meet at the Flynn Rink parking lot at the intersection of Elm St. and Woodland Rd., Medford. Heavy rain cancels.


Hike n’ Carry at Greenwood Park  Sunday, August 8    2:00 to 4:00pm     
          
Leader: Rich Sanford  Join Rich for an all-ages hike and trail clean up starting at Greenwood Park. Bags, gloves, and verification of two community service hours will be provided. Meet at the Greenwood Park parking lot, Pond St., Stoneham across from the Stone Zoo. Rain cancels.


Hike n’ Carry at Panther Cave  Sunday, August 22  2:00 to 4:00pm 
              
Leader: Rich Sanford  Join Rich for an all-ages hike and trail clean up in the southern Fells. Strollers are not recommended. Bags, gloves, and verification of two community service hours will be provided. Meet at the parking area between gates 6 and 7, across South Border Rd. from Jeremiah Circle, Medford. Rain cancels.

Art in the Woods  Wednesday, August 25  10:00am to 11:30am  
                     
Leader: Dominica Nichols  Join hike program coordinator Dominica Nichols for an all-ages artistic adventure in the Fells.  Bring a sketch book/journal, your writing or drawing supplies, and an open mind. We’ll circle the pond together, and then you’ll stake out your artistic spot to start creating. We’ll end our time together with a hike up Pine Hill and optional show-and-tell. Meet at the Bellevue Pond parking area, South Border Rd., Medford. Rain cancels.
 
DCR Rangers Hike  Sunday August 29, 10:00am - 1:00pm
 
Leader: DCR Ranger  Advanced level hike covers several miles and may be too streuous for children under 10.  No dogs, please.  Meet at Botume House, 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham.  For more information call 781.233.0834


 



 


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.