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

     
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: 1-617-722-1188
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:

Celebrate Summer!

Summer at Long Pond
Wednesday, July 9   9:30am to 11:45am
Leader: Boot Boutwell
Enjoy an easy walk through the shade of the forest in search of the “Indian Toothbrush”, “Indian Soap”, and other cool plants.  Hike includes plant IDs and a bit  of natural history. Meet at the Long Pond Parking Lot, South Border Rd, Winchester. Heavy rain cancels.

It’s Your Nature –  Hall Memorial Pool
Wednesday, July 9 10:00am to 11:00am

Simple, nature-based pastimes with lifelong messages to both inform and entertain the young and young-at-heart. Meet at 4 North Border Road, Stoneham. For registration or further information call Lynn Hildebrand at 617-727-1199, ext. 420.

Virginia Wood Hike
Monday, July 14 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Leader: Andrew Celentano
Much of the historic Virginia Wood Trail follows Spot Pond Brook, site of many 18th and 19th century mills including the Haywardville rubber works. Virginia Wood is also the home of a majestic hemlock grove under threat from the wooly adelgid. Meet at the Virginia Wood parking lot at the intersection of Woodland Rd. and Pond St. A moderate hike - rain cancels.

It’s Your Nature –  Hall Memorial Pool
Wednesday, July 16 10:00am to 11:00am

Simple, nature-based pastimes with lifelong messages to both inform and entertain the young and young-at-heart. Meet at 4 North Border Road, Stoneham. For registration or further information call Lynn Hildebrand at 617-727-1199, ext. 420.

It’s Your Nature –  Hall Memorial Pool
Wednesday, July 23 10:00am to 11:00am

Simple, nature-based pastimes with lifelong messages to both inform and entertain the young and young-at-heart. Meet at 4 North Border Road, Stoneham. For registration or further information call Lynn Hildebrand at 617-727-1199, ext. 420.

Spot Pond Boating No Child Left Inside Program
Saturday, July 26 10:30am to 12:30pm

DCR program for children ages 6-17. This free program is a supervised outside activity for children 6-17. Pre-registration is required, call Lynn Hildebrand at 617-727-1199, ext 420. Meet at Spot Pond Boating, next to the DCR Botume House Visitor Center, Stoneham.

Rock Circuit Trail Hike
Saturday, July 26 10:00am to Noon

Leader: Andrew Celentano
Hike the south side hills of the Rock Circuit Trail with a side trip to Pinnacle Rock, the Fells 250-ft. “knife edge” summit. Meet at the Flynn Rink parking lot, Woodland Rd., Medford. A moderate to difficult hike - rain cancels.

DCR Hiking Club
Saturday, July 26 10:00am to 1:00pm

Leader: DCR Staff
For this d
ifficult three-hour hike in the Middlesex Fells, wear boots and bring water.
Meet at the DCR Botume House Visitor Center, 4 Woodland Rd., Stoneham, ½-mile south of Stone Zoo. No dogs please.



 More hikes in our Calendar or to explore on your own see Fells Hikes



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.