A roughly 1,600-acre municipal watershed and former colonial settlement spanning Gloucester and Rockport, crossed by old unmarked cart roads and dotted with glacial boulders. Roger Babson had Depression-era stonecutters carve inspirational mottoes into many of the boulders in the 1930s.
What to expect
Parking
Free lot Free · unconfirmed
Trails
Extensive network of old cart roads and singletrack, unmarked in many places; connects to Greenbelt's Carter Reservation, Annisquam Woods, and Langsford Pond…
Dogs
Dogs must be under their owner's control throughout Gloucester. Posted signs at the site take precedence.
Accessibility
Unpaved woodland trails and old cart roads, not step-free.
Hiking/Walking
Allowed year-round
Managed by
City of Gloucester Conservation Division / Dogtown Advisory Committee
WebsiteCommon questions
Where do I park at Dogtown Common?
Free lot (Free).
Is there an entry fee at Dogtown Common?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to Dogtown Common?
Dogs must be under their owner's control throughout Gloucester. Posted signs at the site take precedence.
Is Dogtown Common wheelchair accessible?
Unpaved woodland trails and old cart roads, not step-free.
What rules should I know at Dogtown Common?
Historically remote and easy to get lost in - carry a map/GPS; the area is criss-crossed by old, unmarked cart roads.