5 Dog-Friendly Nature Walks In and Around Boston

Like so many of you around the world, the global pandemic has paused my travels for the time being. However, I’ve been taking this time to re-discover the beauty of my own backyard in Boston, seeking out new nature walks to escape the buzz of city life and enjoy the fresh air of the great outdoors. And now with a little quarantine rescue pup named Bear attached at my hip, I’ve been doing a lot of research and recon on the best spots around Boston for a little Sunday stroll for Bear and myself. Here are five of my favorites:

Middlesex Fells Reservation

Just 15 minutes north of Boston is the beautiful, vast nature park that is Middlesex Fells Reservation. At 2,200 acres, it’s easy to get lost in the beauty of the park with tons of trails, ponds and even some spectacular vistas overlooking the city. But by far the best spot to bring your pup is the Sheepfold Dog Park, equipped with a large parking area and an off-leash dog zone where your fur baby can frolic and play in the expansive field amongst all the other pups. And when you’re ready for your stroll, my favorite trail is the one to the left down through the grassy fields, which leads you out to this beautiful reservoir for a picture-perfect moment.

Wilson Mountain Reservation

Dedham’s largest protected woodland area, Wilson Mountain Reservation is a hidden gem just minutes outside of the city limits. With two main trails that lead you in and around the reservation, there’s much to see, but most of which can easily be walked in an afternoon. The Blue Loop trail takes you around the base of the small mountain, through wooded groves and past lots of small wildlife, while the uphill Red Trail takes you to the summit with views of the Boston skyline in the distance. While the summit trail is slightly rocky in terrain, its easy slope makes it a great trail for all ages, with Fido welcome to come along for the adventure.

Blue Hills Reservation

A Boston classic, but nevertheless one of my favorites, one could get lost exploring the vast trails and beauty of the Blue Hills Reservation in Canton. At 6,000 acres, there are tons of areas to discover and sights to see across the park. A few to note are the Eliot Tower at the top of the Great Blue Hill which features a stone footbridge and tower with sweeping views out across Boston and beyond, as well as the historic Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory just down the trail, founded in 1885, which is the oldest operating weather recording station in the US. Take the Skyline Trail up to these vistas for a bit of a challenge, or for an easy stroll, opt for the paved road used by meteorologists leading right up to the old weather tower.

Mystic River Reservation

A stunning spot along the Mystic River and off the beaten path in Medford, this Reservation boasts an easy looping trail, lots of recreation space, and even a pond with its own public beach. A favorite place for Tufts students and the local community, Shannon Beach is a fun little spot to take your pup for a dip after a walk around the Mystic River, with restrooms and a little snack shack on sight to make an afternoon out of your adventure. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot the resident Bald Eagle who lives in the trees of the area, but keep your eyes peeled on the sky as he only makes an appearance every so often.

Castle Island

The final place on our list needs no introduction for local Bostonians. Castle Island is a well-known spot around the city, a Southie staple overlooking the harbor with historic historic Fort Independence to explore, and a long looping path that takes visitors out and around Pleasure Bay. Fancy a lunchtime bite? Stop at Sullivan’s, a family-owned spot since 1951, for a lobster roll or friend seafood for the full Boston experience. And if you need to stroll some more post-lunch, take a walk along Carson and M Street Beaches, passing the old bath houses of a bygone era as you transport yourself back into the history of this historic city.