Quabbin Hiking Guide

Hiking at Quabbin Reservoir means two things: the 14 miles of blazed trails and forest roads in Quabbin Park off Route 9, and the old town roads behind the numbered gates around the rest of the reservoir, many of which lead down to the shore. All of it is free, open from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, and off-limits to dogs.

The hikes below are ones DCR's own staff lead or publish guides for, with DCR's distances.

Hikes in Quabbin Park

• Shoreline, Enfield Lookout and Webster Road loop, 3.6 miles, intermediate. From the Observation Tower parking area on Quabbin Hill down to Hanks Meadow and the water (about 350 feet down), along the shore, and back up, with a stop at Enfield Lookout, which DCR calls the best view of the reservoir in the park.
• Tower Trail and Webster Road, 3.1 miles. Up the red-blazed Tower Trail from inside the Middle entrance to the Quabbin Tower (475 feet of climbing), a connector down to Webster Road, and back.
• Webster Road Trail, 3 miles round trip, easy. A wide dirt road from across Hanks Meadow, past cellar holes and stone walls of valley farms.
• Visitor Center Loop Trail, 1.7 miles. Below Winsor Dam along the Swift River and back over a ridge.

All eight blazed Quabbin Park trails, with blazes and trailheads, are on the trail map page.

Hikes From the Gates

• Soapstone Mountain (Gate 37), 2.7 miles, difficult. From Route 122 in New Salem, take Monson Turnpike Road to Gate 37. An easy woodland road, then a short, very steep climb with large rocks to scramble over. DCR calls the summit one of the best views of the reservoir. Wear sturdy shoes.
• Dana Common (Gate 40), about 4 miles round trip, moderate. A road to the center of the lost town of Dana, now a National Register historic district.
• The Road to Millington (Gate 29), about 3 miles round trip, moderate. From Gate 29 on Elm Street at Route 202 in New Salem, toward the lost village of Millington and the 1866 Keystone Bridge.
• Gate 29 to the shore, 2.4 miles round trip, moderate. A dirt road through forest to the reservoir with little elevation change.
• Gate 35, 5 miles round trip. A dirt road down to the water and along it on the north side.
• Gate 26, 2.2-mile loop. On the north side, down to the water through the forest.
• Gate 16, 2 miles round trip, easy. An out-and-back on the west side.

DCR also publishes StoryMap guides for walks from Gate 22 to Horseshoe Cove and Gate 25 to Gates Cove. How to use the gates, and which allow bikes, is on the gates page; maps are on maps.

Guided Hikes

DCR's Quabbin staff lead free guided hikes, from Quabbin Park loops to lost-village walks and the Soapstone Mountain climb. Registration is required and outdoor programs are capped at 25 people. The schedule is on DCR's "Upcoming events for Quabbin Reservoir" page; questions go to the visitor center, (413) 323-7221.

Hiking Safely Here

• Bring water and snacks; DCR's hike notices ask for both.
• Expect ticks and poison ivy, and wear hunter orange in hunting season. In 2026, Quabbin Park closes for the deer hunt on December 2 and 3.
• Trail conditions change after storms. DCR advises turning back if a path gets too hard or the markings are unclear.
• Stay off informal side paths, the ice, the islands and Prescott Peninsula.
• Be out by one hour after sunset, and in Quabbin Park watch the posted vehicle exit time (hours).