Hale Reservation is a 1,137-acre nonprofit-run woodland with 20 miles of trails and four ponds across Westwood and Dover. Its main Carby Street campus has playing fields, a day camp, and a paid summer swimming beach, while the adjoining Sen Ki parcel off High Street is a quieter, dog-free two-mile trail loop through rock outcroppings donated to Hale in 2011.
What to expect
Trails
20 miles across the whole reservation; about 2 miles within the Sen Ki parcel… easy to moderate, with hilly rocky… · natural woodland trail
Dogs
On the main reservation, leashed dogs (max 2 per visitor) are permitted Labor Day through Memorial Day but banned near Noanet Pond and the Red Trail in summer, and never allowed on fields, playgrounds, beaches, or in ponds. Dogs are not…
Allowed now · ban starts Labor DayAccessibility
Not specified on the visitor guidelines page; step-free access is unconfirmed.
Swim
Allowed summer, South Beach only, fee required
Kayak/Canoe
Allowed summer, South Beach only, fee required
Fishing
Allowed year-round; no license required, catch-and-release encouraged, limit 2 trout/2 bass, unlimited sunfish
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Hale Education, Inc.
(781) 326-1770 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Parking not sourced yet
Check the town or agency pages before you go.
What's here
On site
Restroom
South Beach (seasonal, main campus)
Restroom
None at the main entrance parking areas or at Sen Ki
Picnic area
Picnicking allowed on the main reservation (no barbecuing); picnic areas at South Beach
Info kiosk
Trail maps available at the Main Office and for download
Common questions
Is Hale Reservation open today?
Hale Reservation is a public preserve in Westwood, MA. There is no live closure feed for preserves & forests; the town's site is the authority for temporary closures.
Are there trails and how hard are they?
Yes, over 20 miles across the whole reservation, with a range from easy family loops to more rugged terrain; the Sen Ki section alone has about two miles of hilly, rocky paths good for kids who like climbing over rocks.
On the main reservation, leashed dogs are allowed Labor Day through Memorial Day but not in summer near Noanet Pond, and never on fields or beaches; dogs are not allowed at all on the separate Sen Ki parcel.
Where do I park, is it obvious?
Main Entrance parking off Carby Street is free and well marked; the Sen Ki trailhead off High Street also has its own small public lot, opened after Sen Ki became publicly accessible.
Are there trails at Hale Reservation?
Yes. 20 miles across the whole reservation; about 2 miles within the Sen Ki parcel…. easy to moderate, with hilly rocky sections at Sen Ki difficulty. Surface: natural woodland trail.
Is there an entry fee at Hale Reservation?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to Hale Reservation?
On the main reservation, leashed dogs (max 2 per visitor) are permitted Labor Day through Memorial Day but banned near Noanet Pond and the Red Trail in summer, and never allowed on fields, playgrounds, beaches, or in ponds. Dogs are not permitted at all on the Sen Ki parcel.
Is Hale Reservation wheelchair accessible?
Not specified on the visitor guidelines page; step-free access is unconfirmed.
What rules should I know at Hale Reservation?
Cell service is unreliable across the property; visitors are advised to download a trail map in advance and tell someone their route and return time. No swimming, boating, camping, fires, hunting, or trapping outside designated South Beach programs; also no private watercraft, ATVs, motorized dirt…