Houghton's Pond Recreation Area

The Department of Conservation and Recreation invites you to spend the day and enjoy the calm, clear waters of Houghton’s Pond in the scenic Blue Hills Reservation. Offering 7,000 acres of open space, the Blue Hills Reservation is a green oasis in an urban environment.

Twenty-four acres in size and up to 42 feet in depth, Houghton’s Pond is a spring-fed kettle hole pond formed by receding glaciers approximately 10,000 years ago. The Massachuseck Indians fished the pond and hunted the surrounding lands. From the colonial period through the late 1800s, several generations of the Houghton family farmed the area.

Today, the Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, fishing, picnicking , and hiking as well as a playground, concession  pavilion, and Visitor’s Center. Restrooms and a first aid station are open during the summer at the bathhouse Payphones are located by the main gate.

Activities

Swimming
Cool off during the steaming summer months in the swimming area. DCR lifeguards are on site from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. every day in July and August.

Fishing
With plenty of trout in the pond, cast away no matter your experience level.

All Activities at Houghton's Pond Recreation Area
Baseball
Cross-country skiing
Educational programs
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Mountain biking
Swimming

Facilities at Houghton's Pond Recreation Area
Ball fields
Boardwalk
Concession stand
First-aid station
Lifeguards
Pavilion
Picnic area
Grills
Playground
Restrooms
Showers
Visitors center