I used to live in Norton, MA, and often took my dogs Wash and Marshall on walks to nearby conservation areas in the mornings, often favoring those with ponds so they could go swimming. I had a few of my neighbors ask me about the places I took them, so I put together a map and some links. I've also included some dog parks and pet-friendly hotels.
Be sure to click the icons in the map for a detailed overview, which is not contained in the map links below:
Trails
Click on any of the hiking markers on the map to see details about each trail, including a link to each trail's own map, any available official trail information, as well as some highlights like notable features, navigability, parking, terrain, and if there are hunters in the area during hunting season.
The links below go to Official Trail Information provided by the town/state, and a Map that I have created on Google Maps with my own notes, trail markers and points of interest.
- Village Way Trail Map, in Norton, MA.
- Leo G. Yelle Conservation Area Map in Norton, MA and Official Trail Information.
- Corporal Robert Francis Hardy Conservation Area Map in Mansfield, MA and Official Trail Information and Map.
- Great Woods Conservation Area in Mansfield, MA. This is effectively split into two areas by the 495 highway by the two entrances: the Oak Street Map and Judy's Lane Map. Official Trail Information and Map.
- F. Gilbert Hills State Forest in Foxboro, MA. This is a large state forest that links up with a nearby town forest and probably some other forests. I treat it as two areas based on where I tend to park: the Main Entrance and High Rock Road entrance. Official Trail Information and Map.
- Borderland State Park in Easton, MA and Sharon, MA. This is a large state park with a lot of visitors, ample parking with parking on the east and west sides of the park, multiple ponds and many branching trails. Official Trail Information and Map.
- Wrentham State Forest in Wrentham, MA. This is a large, hilly forest near 495 with numerous trails. Official Trail Information and Map.
Dog Parks
Click on any of the sunshine markers on the map to see information about the dog parks in the area.
- Sharon Dog Park in Sharon, MA. A good-sized fenced-in area with plenty of room for dogs to play off-leash, with separate areas for big and small dogs. Official Park Information.
- Attleboro Dog Park in Attleboro, MA. A newer, somewhat smaller fenced-in dog park with separate areas for big and small dogs. Official Park Information.
- Stodder's Neck in Hingham, MA. This is really a large park that allows off-leash pets, which means it's basically a dog park. A peninsula, there is ocean on three sides and a fence on the other with a large hill in the middle, a large field near the entrance and bits of forest all around, all of which provide plenty of opportunity for dogs to run, play and swim. Official Park Information.
Hotels
Click on the house markers on the map to see details about dog-friendly hotels.
- Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, MA. If you need to stay in the city, this is a great hotel, and they let you bring dogs of any size with you. The pet-friendly floor is between two other floors that do not have guest rooms, which means that barking dogs are less likely to bother other guests. Hotel website.