A 365-acre mix of woods and wetlands that began as the Lawton Tree Farm, the first Tree Farm certified in Massachusetts, protected by Mount Grace Land Trust in 1987 and later sold to DCR. A roughly five-mile loop trail combines a two-mile ridge section and a three-mile forestry section, with no motorized recreation allowed.
What to expect
Trails
About five miles of loop trail: a two-mile Ridge Section and a three-mile Forestry Section
Dogs
Allowed caged, bridled, or on a leash or tether no longer than ten feet, unless an area is posted otherwise; never unattended or at large, and waste must be carried out. Hunting, hunting-dog training, dog sledding, sled-dog training and…
Hours
Open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset as published by the National Weather Service, unless posted or permitted otherwise. Fishing, camping, snowmobiling and other authorized nighttime activities are not held…
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
DCR, land originally assembled by Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust
WebsiteCommon questions
Is the whole forest open right now?
Part of it is not. DCR closed the area north of Willis Road and west of Townsend Road in spring 2026 for active forest management work, with no reopening date posted.
Is there an entry fee at Lawton State Forest?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to Lawton State Forest?
Allowed caged, bridled, or on a leash or tether no longer than ten feet, unless an area is posted otherwise; never unattended or at large, and waste must be carried out. Hunting, hunting-dog training, dog sledding, sled-dog training and search-dog training are excepted (302 CMR 12.13).
What rules should I know at Lawton State Forest?
No motorized recreation permitted.