Breakheart Reservation is a 652-acre DCR forest of rocky hilltops, hardwoods, and two freshwater lakes, Silver Lake and Pearce Lake, straddling Wakefield and Saugus. The Wakefield-facing entrance at 100 Hemlock Road is the closest access to Pearce Lake's swimming beach and its picnic areas, while the main visitor center and the fenced off-leash 'Barking Lot' sit on the Saugus side at 177 Forest Street.
What to expect
Trails
A large trail system through the reservation, climbing to vistas with views toward Boston, New Hampshire and central Massachusetts.
Dogs
Dogs must stay leashed (10-foot max) reservation-wide, except in the fenced off-leash 'Barking Lot' area near the Forest Street (Saugus) lot.
Fishing
Allowed year-round, MA license required
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
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On site
Restroom
Pearce Lake beach
Picnic area
Picnic areas, with accessible picnicking.
Info kiosk
Visitors Center, at 177 Forest Street in Saugus.
Worth knowing
- Breakheart Reservation and Wakefield's separate Town Forest are two distinct properties with different owners: this DCR reservation sits on the eastern side of Wakefield along the Saugus line, while Town Forest is a town-owned, 164-acre parcel on the west/central side of town managed by the Conservation Commission. Their coordinates and managing authorities do not overlap.
Common questions
Is Breakheart Reservation open today?
Breakheart Reservation is a public preserve in Wakefield, MA. There is no live closure feed for preserves & forests; the town's site is the authority for temporary closures.
Which entrance is best from the Wakefield side?
Hemlock Road (100 Hemlock Road) is the Wakefield entrance, and it puts you closest to Pearce Lake's beach and picnic areas; the Forest Street entrance in Saugus is where the visitor center and the off-leash dog area sit.
Is there an entry fee at Breakheart Reservation?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to Breakheart Reservation?
Dogs must stay leashed (10-foot max) reservation-wide, except in the fenced off-leash 'Barking Lot' area near the Forest Street (Saugus) lot.
What rules should I know at Breakheart Reservation?
Rocky, exposed ridgeline sections on the longer loop trails; footing gets uneven away from the lakeside paths.