8/10😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊Mommy Approved Smiling Faces
https://www.mass.gov/location-details/hiking-in-blue-hills
Blue Hills Reservation
Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area
840 Hillside St.
Milton, MA 02186
The kids and I first visited Blue Hills’ Houghton’s Pond in winter during COVID when the kids hadn’t been to a playground in what seemed like forever. With that being said, we started and ended our time here on the playground. The kids did not get sick of it or ask me to leave. The playground has two distinct areas-one for smaller kids and one for larger kids. You can see the difference in the size of the slides, the types of swings and the other structures present. My kids enjoyed both playgrounds. The biggest draw of the playground for my kids would be the “office chair”. This was hysterical. I mean, what kids don’t dream of endlessly spinning in their parent’s office chair? Here it is at a playground for endless fun! What a fantastic idea! Beyond that, this area has port-o-potties and several places to sit and relax while the kids play.
We opted to hike the yellow trail with our kids’ friends that are beginner hikers. It was a beautiful walk with water views and a small beach to enjoy. The water glistened with the sun shining down and the snow brightened up everything. The trail was easy to follow and mostly flat. It circled the pond the entire way so it is impossible to get lost.
Being here in winter and during COVID things were closed but, I couldn’t help but wonder how amazing this location would be for families in the warmer months. Check here to see a list of all the activities available at Houghton’s Pond normally and be sure to bring the kids here for some fun!
We returned to visit this location in August 2021. It did not disappoint. The kids throughly enjoyed swimming in the pond after a hot morning’s hike on the Sky Line trail. They know how to swim, however, waves can be intimidating for kids, so ponds are great. There were several families and children here for the kids to play with. We fished after the kids swam and cooled off. The concession stand was open and so was the beautiful beach pavilion. Which allowed us to freshen up after being in the water.
The Skinny:
- Weather : This is an outdoor location with some shielding from the elements so ideally you want a rain-free day
- Parking and Admissions : 3 FREE public parking lots with plenty of spaces-you may have to walk if they are full. The website says they fill up fast in summer months.
- Location : This is a short hike .75 miles around a beautiful pond and in the woods with a good playground found at the parking lot
- Hours : Dawn to Dusk
- Duration : We stayed here about 3 hours.
- Tips and Recommendations : There’s a ton to do here depending upon your interests and the season so pack for it / dress for it so you can have fun! This is a dog friendly location however dogs aren’t permitted on the beach. This yellow trail is perfect if your kids are very young or they are new hikers. This is an easy trail to start with.
- Cons : Although it is beautiful here, it was not very adventurous for those who are not beginners so keep that in mind if you generally like more of a challenge. This is literally “a walk in the park.”
Jewel Approved 👍🏼
Jamison Approved 👍🏼
This trail is in Blue Hills Reservation. Another trail in the reservation that we loved for those looking for more of a challenge, is the Skyline trail with a gorgeous view of Boston. Borderland State Park is close to this area and offers many outdoor adventures too.
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