Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 9:20 to get started on time!
Forest fires have impacted these hills for as long as humans have lived here. Discover the history of fires in the Blue Hills, what was done right and wrong to fight them, and what impact climate change has for fighting fires in Massachusetts in the future. A gentle, all–ages 2-mile walk.
Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at the Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 12:50 to make sure you are on time for the Hike!
Looking to get outdoors and take a gentle, guided hike in the beautiful Blue Hills? Join us for our weekly series of leisurely paced nature hikes (1.5-3 miles long). Learn about nature at your own pace and make some friends along the way.
Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 9:20 to get started on time!
Hundreds of millions of years ago the Blue Hills was a raging volcano. Join us for a geological hike on this extinct volcano and learn about the granite that volcano eft behind and how people have used that marvelous stone for thousands of years. A gentle, all–ages 2-mile walk.
Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at the Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 12:50 to make sure you are on time for the Hike!
Looking to get outdoors and take a gentle, guided hike in the beautiful Blue Hills? Join us for our weekly series of leisurely paced nature hikes (1.5-3 miles long). Learn about nature at your own pace and make some friends along the way.
Registration is OPEN! Signup HERE.
Looking for a new way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with fellow readers? This summer, we’re bringing stories to life on the trails with the Book Club with the Friends of the Blue Hills — a unique book club that pairs scenic hikes with thoughtful conversations.
Join us as we take a light, three-mile hike through the beautiful Blue Hills Reservation and pause along the way to chat about the book we’re reading together. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a passionate reader, or just looking for a fun and relaxed way to meet new people, this is the perfect chance to stretch your legs and your mind.
Bring water, wear comfy shoes, and come ready to talk books and enjoy nature!
All are welcome — even if you didn’t finish the book!
If you are interested in the event, please fill out the form and we will email you when the registration is open.
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Ready for an outdoor adventure? Join Navigation Games for an exciting Introduction to Orienteering at beautiful Houghton’s Pond! This fun, all-ages activity invites you to learn the basics of orienteering—an outdoor navigation sport where you use a map and compass to find checkpoints in the landscape.
Come anytime between 10AM and 2PM to:
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Learn how to read a map and use a compass
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Explore the woods and fields on a beginner-friendly orienteering course
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Get guidance from expert staff and friendly volunteers
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Use our provided maps, compasses, and instructions—no experience needed!
Kid-Friendly Fun!
Young adventurers can enjoy special gamified activities in the open field behind the Visitor Center. They’ll search for animal markers, follow a simple map, and build key navigation skills while having a blast.
This free event is perfect for families, first-timers, and anyone who loves the outdoors. Come get active, learn something new, and enjoy nature in a whole new way!
Link to Suggested Donation.
Please Note:
There are two separate waivers included in this form:
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One for Friends of the Blue Hills
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One for Navigation Games
Be sure to read and acknowledge both waivers before submitting the form.
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