Hopkinton State Park, which lies 31 miles and about 45 minutes from the heart of Boston, is an oasis that the whole family can enjoy year round. Hopkinton Reservoir is the crown jewel of the park and at 175 acres, there’s plenty of space for all manner of water activities on this spring-fed lake. Whether you splash around at the swimming beach, rent a kayak from the boathouse, or take a paddleboard yoga class, you’ll feel your worries drifting away in no time.
Beyond the banks of the lake stretch 1,500 acres of forest and open space that are crisscrossed with ten miles of trails to keep hikers content. It’s easy to spend an entire day here – pack a picnic and savor views like this as you eat…
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Hopkinton Reservoir offers two swimming beaches. There’s a lifeguard presence at both from May through Labor Day.
Tripadvisor/Kumar C
Lake islands have a magnetism that makes you long to go exploring, and this reservoir has three.
Flickr/dee & tula monstah
You don’t need your own boat to have an adventure. Boating in Boston runs the park’s boathouse. The most budget friendly option is to hire a rowboat, which can accommodate four people and costs only $16 per hour.
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Kayaks, canoes…
Tripadvisor/Swaraj M
…quad pedal boats…
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…and paddle boards are also available.
Facebook/Boating in Boston at Hopkinton State Park If you’ve yet to try paddle boarding, you can sign up for an intro class or even for paddle board yoga! (Prices are currently $35 per person and includes the board rental.)
Afterwards, spread out a picnic on one of the park’s 300 picnic tables.
Yelp/Skye G.
Now that you’ve dried off, it’s time for a little hiking…
Flickr/lastonein You can also go biking or rock climbing at the park.
While much of Hopkinton State Park’s appeal comes from water activities, this spot is worth a visit even when summer has ended.
Tripadvisor/Angela P
Enjoy fishing and photography here for much of the year.
Flickr/C.C. Chapman
And the sight of the foliage, especially when contrasted against the lake, is breathtaking in fall.
Flickr/Michelle Callahan
Come winter, Hopkinton State Park gains a different, but no less awe-inspiring, type of beauty.
Flickr/JD Go sledding, cross country skiing and – providing at least four inches of snow blanket the ground – snowmobiling is allowed!
Ah… bliss!
Flickr/cszaboads
The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. in summer. For the remainder of the year, it closes at sunset. The address is: 164 Cedar Street, Hopkinton.
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Tripadvisor/Kumar C
Flickr/dee & tula monstah
Tripadvisor/Swaraj M
If you’ve yet to try paddle boarding, you can sign up for an intro class or even for paddle board yoga! (Prices are currently $35 per person and includes the board rental.)
Yelp/Skye G.
Flickr/lastonein
You can also go biking or rock climbing at the park.
Tripadvisor/Angela P
Flickr/C.C. Chapman
Flickr/Michelle Callahan
Flickr/JD
Go sledding, cross country skiing and – providing at least four inches of snow blanket the ground – snowmobiling is allowed!
Flickr/cszaboads
Please note that there is a strictly enforced no alcohol policy at the park. Dogs are allowed, but they must be on a leash. Admission for Massachusetts residents costs $8 per car, while vehicles with out-of-state plates pay $15.
During peak times, Hopkinton can get busy. When all the parking spaces are gone, it briefly closes until more spots open up. However, this isn’t the only state park convenient to Boston. Here are some more great spots where you can immerse yourself in nature.
Have you visited Hopkinton State Park yet?
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