They were first called the “blue hills” by early Europeans who noticed their blueish look while sailing along the coastline. In 1893, these hills became of of the first areas set aside for public recreation, and they remain a mecca for Boston residents looking for a true outdoor experience close to home. Currently managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the reservation touches on four towns --Quincy, Dedham, Milton and Randolph -- and features 22 hills, the highest of which, Great Blue Hill, reaches a height of 635 feet. The hill’s use as a location for radio and TV transmitters is reflected in the name of Boston’s famed public television station and radio station WGBH (for Great Blue Hill).
Water Sports
The reservation features several bodies of water, including Houghton’s Pond, Ponkapoag Pond, Hillside Pond, Pine Tree Brook, Blue Hill River and the Neponset River.
Swimmers can visit the beach at Houghton’s Pond, where lifeguards are stationed during the summer. The beach on the 24-acre pond is located near a bathhouse with restrooms, a playground, and parking. Picnic areas and ball fields are also right nearby, making this area of the reservation a nice choice for a family reunion or other gathering. Keep in mind, however, that groups larger than 25 people must have a permit to use the picnic sites.
For visitors interested in fishing, there are two areas stocked with trout -- Houghton’s Pond and Pine Tree Brook. Fishing requires a Massachusetts state fishing license, avialabe from the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game.
No motorized boats are allowed but parkgoers are welcome to kayak or canoe on Ponkapoag Pond and the Neponset River.
Hiking, Biking and Camping
There are 125 miles of trails in the Blue Hills ranging from paved roads to more challenging hilly terrain. Mountain bikers can visit one of the dozens of trails where mountain biking is permitted, while road bikers can use one of the several roads that wend their way up the hills of the reservation. Popular routes for both hikers and bikers include trails that lead to the observatory on the top of Big Blue Hill.
While camping is limited in most of the reservation there is a small group of cabins and tent sites at Ponkapoag Camp, run by the Appalachian Mountain Club, that can be reserved in advance.
Winter Sports
The Blue Hills Reservation provides a nice mix of winter activities too, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on its many trails. There is downhill skiing and snowboarding at the Blue Hills Ski Area, which has nine trails and two terrain parks. Ice skaters can visit either the William Shea Rink in Quincy or the Max Ulin Rink in Milton.
A Range of Other Activities
If you like to golf, the state-run, 36-hole Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton has a driving range and putting green and costs $22 for an 18-hole round on a weekday and $25 on weekends and holidays.
The Blue Hills Reservation is also appealing to history buffs. There are 16 historic structures listed on the National Register within the park, including the Blue Hills Weather Observatory, a National Historic Landmark, which sits on top of Great Blue Hill.
Rock climbers are welcome to climb in the Quincy Quarries Reservation, a former quarry that has become a popular rock-climbing destination. Recently the quarry was refurbished and the main area was filled in with some Big Dig dirt making it even more enjoyable for climbers. Some rock-climbing areas can also be found at Rattlesnake Hill in the eastern section of the park.
Animals at the Reservation
Horse enthusiasts can take lessons at the Blue Hills Riding Center or other privately owned facilities on the edges of the reservation.
But if you prefer looking at animals to riding, a wide variety of creatures also inhabit the park, including deer, coyotes, turkey vultures, and timber rattlesnakes, which are endangered in Massachusetts. The Blue Hills Trailside Museum, managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, includes cultural and natural history exhibits and features a display of some of the live animals of the Blue Hills. And if you’d like to do more, consider volunteering with the Friends of the Blue Hills or the Blue Hills TrailWatch, two organizations that work to protect and maintain this vibrant wilderness reservation.
