Hikes and walks are wonderful ways to spend time together as a family and a perfect opportunity to get kids connected to the outdoors! Fresh air, nature, exercise, family… a perfect combination for creating beautiful memories!
Safety First - Preparation is Key!
What to bring: Depending on the extent of the walk or hike plan to bring a backpack with first-aid kit, water and snacks! A whistle, map, compass, flashlight, matches, Swiss Army style knife as well as daily medication may prove necessary. Better safe than sorry! Also consider items that will help interact with nature such as binoculars, bug catcher, plant and bird identification guides, magnifying glass, paper and pencil.
What to wear: Appropriate clothing is key and non-cotton layers (sythetics, wool, fleece) work best. Pack a rain parka, warmer jacket gloves and hat as needed. Sturdy comfortable footwear is a must. Be sure to apply sunscreen as well as bug repellant as needed.
Remember: Always remember “carry in / carry out” and be sure to check thoroughly for ticks when you get home.
Hiking with Toddlers: See our 11 Tips on Hiking with Toddlers
Want added fun: Take The Kids On An Adventure With Our Free Fall Scavenger Hunt
Hiking with children is important: Read 50 Ways forests and outdoor learning experiences benefit children
Have a favorite local hiking ground that we missed? Let me know at mackidlexingtonlowell@macaronikid.com.
How: Click link to find location, trail maps and more. All trails are free unless otherwise noted.
Billerica
- Akeson Park, Shawsheen Woods and Shaloo Meadow Conservation Land
- Bicknell Forest and Ditson
- Billerica State Forest, Gilson Hill State Forest, Rangeway Town Forest and McDonald
- Dutile Park
- Fox Hill Summit
- Great Meadow’s National Wildlife Refuge, Gov. Thomas Dudley Park, Timber Creek Conservation Land and Edgehill Road Conservation Land
- Jones Town Forest
- Kindred Conservation Land
- Knowles Conservation Land
- Nuttings Lake Conservation Land
- Ralph Hill Conservation Area
- The Fields, Shady Hill and Martina Gage Conservation Lands
- Warren Manning State Forest - -$5 daily or $50 for a seasonal pass.
Chelmsford
- Archer Meadowbrook Preserve
- Bartlett Park
- Bartlett Woodlot
- Bill Edge - Deep Brook Reservation
- The Bruce Freeman Trail
- Cranberry Bog Reservation
- George B.B. Wright Reservation
- Kroll, Calder, Larter Pasture
- Lime Quarry Reservation
- Margaret Robbins Mills Crooked Spring Reservation
- Red Wing Farm Reservation
- Roberts Field Trails
- Russell Mill Pond and Chelmsford Town Forest
- Thanksgiving Forest Reservation
- Warren Wildlife Sanctuary
Dracut
Dracut Open Space Committee (link includes information on the following properties)
- Cross Road and Rifle Range
- Dunlap Sanctuary
- East Richardson Preserve
- Dennis P. McNamara Way
- Long Pond
- Lowell, Dracut, Tyngsboro State Forest
- Nickel Mine Conservation
- Dracut Land Trust
- Proprietors’ Way
Dunstable
- Dunstable Rural Land Trust - Main Street Wildlife Preserve
- Flat Rock Hill Trails
- Spaulding Proctor Reservation Trails
- Unkety Brook and Dunstable Town Forest Trails
Groton
- Baddacook Conservation Land
- Bates Land
- Blackman Field and Woods
- Cronin-Massapoag Land
- Groton Town Forest
- Hayes Woods
- Lotz Land
- Mason Back 100
- Rocky Hill Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sabine Memorial Woods
- Shepley Hill
- Skinner Forest
- Skitapet
- Throne Hill
- Valentine Hollingsworth
- Wattles Pond
- Printable maps from Groton Trails Network
Littleton
- Bumblebee Park
- Cloverdale Conservation Area
- Robert and Emily Cobb Memorial Forest
- Conant Park
- Sarah Doublet Forest
- Hartwell Family Memorial Preserve
- Littleton Town Forest
- Long Lake Park
- Mary Shepherd Open Space
- Mill Hill
- Morgan Land
- Nashoba Wetlands
- Newtown Hill
- Oak Hill
- Prouty Woods
- Smith Conservation Land
- Two Brothers Trail
- George and Lucy Yapp Conservation Land
- Littleton Conservation Trust Trail Guide PDF
Lowell
- Bruce Freeman Trail
- Concord River Greenway Park
- Hawk Valley Farm
- Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest
- Lowell Heritage State Park
- Merrimack River Bike Path
- West Meadow Conservation
Tewksbury
- Foster Park Conservation Area
- Melvin G. Rogers Park
- New Boardwalk Hike
- Shawsheen Overlook
- Tewksbury Hospital "The Pines" Cemetery Trail
- Tewksbury Trail Maps
Tyngsboro
- Bell Trail
- Hunter Trail
- Long Pond Shores
- Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest
- Shady Glade Trails
- Sherburne Nature Center and Trails
Westford
- Abbot Trails
- Acker Conservation Land
- Beaver Brook
- Blakes Hill
- Buckboard Trail
- Cider Mill Pond
- Frances Hill
- Grassy Pond Life Course and Trail
- Greystone
- Griffin Road
- Kissacook Hill Trails
- Kloppenburg
- Lakeside
- Lyberty Way
- Martina Gage Town Forest
- Mystery Spring
- Nabnasset
- Nashoba Brook Watershed
- O’Brien Farm
- Peace Trail
- Prospect Hill Wildlife Sanctuary
- Rail Tree Hill
- Sassafras Trail
- Slifer Conservation Land
- Snake Meadow Brook Trail
- Stone Arch Trail
- Stony Brook Conservation Land
- Timberlake
- Tom Paul Trail
- Veterans Memorial Complex
- Village View Trails
- WA-Robinson-Crisafulli
- Wilson Conservation Land
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