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
An extensive natural-surface trail network on old woods roads and rockier footpaths, with distances from short lake loops (Silver Lake ~0.8 mi, Pearce Lake…
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.
Accessibility
The Pearce Lake supervised swimming beach has a beach mat and a beach wheelchair available; general trail accessibility (paved vs. natural surface) is not confirmed beyond the beach area.
Swim
Allowed mid-June-Labor Day (2025 dates: Jun 14-Sep 1), lifeguarded
Fishing
Allowed year-round, MA license required
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
781-233-0834 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Parking not sourced yet
Check the town or agency pages before you go.
What's here
On site
Restroom
Pearce Lake beach
Picnic area
quiet picnic areas near the Hemlock Road (Wakefield) entrance
Info kiosk
staffed visitor center at 177 Forest Street, Saugus, open daily 8:30am-4:00pm
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.
Is Breakheart Reservation wheelchair accessible?
The Pearce Lake supervised swimming beach has a beach mat and a beach wheelchair available; general trail accessibility (paved vs. natural surface) is not confirmed beyond the beach area.
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.