Hikers & Day Visitors

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The Mayflower Council welcomes day visitors to Nobscot Reservation for quiet activities like hiking, snowshoeing, and nature walks during daylight hours. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, please adhere to the policy below:

✅ Nobscot Day Use and Dog Policy

Hours: Day use is permitted from dawn to dusk

Trail Stewardship: Foot traffic only. Please stay on marked trails to prevent erosion and protect sensitive habitats, always adhering to Leave No Trace principles.

Prohibited: No fires, hunting, camping, alcohol, horses, bicycles or motorized vehicles are permitted at any time by public users.

Dogs: Mayflower Council has established this dog walking policy for Nobscot Reservation to ensure that sensitive resource areas and positive visitor experiences are preserved:

Dogs must be leashed at all times - This protects local wildlife and ensures the safety of Scout groups.
Dogs are not allowed in ponds, streams, or wetlands.
Dog owners/walkers must clean-up after their dogs. Per MGL Ch. 270 § 16 (Littering), failure to dispose of waste or trash is subject to fine. All pet waste must be removed from the property by the owner/walker.
Dog owners/walkers may not walk more than three dogs at a time.

Day Visitor Parking - Outer Lot Only

🥾 Hiking Information:

Trail Markers: Some trails are marked with colored disks called "blazes" that guide you to popular spots.
Tippling Rock: This location offers excellent views of three states, Boston, and Mt. Monadnock.
Maps: The website provides links to several versions of the Nobscot map in various resolutions for download, but be aware that many well-traveled paths created by Scouts over the years may not be on the map. It's smart to hike with your own toilet paper, as latrines are rustic.
Safety Tips: Hike with a companion if possible, and supervise children. Dress for the weather and be mindful of poison ivy and ticks. The trails close at dusk, so allow enough time to return to your car.

Trail Markings

📋 More on Common Sense Rules

Parking

Parking: Be sure to use the Daytime parking lot closest to the street. The inner Overnight parking lot is strictly for Scouts and maintenance. Unauthorized vehicles may be towed.

Overflow parking: located down the road from Monson Cabin.

Trail Navigation

While a map is helpful, don't rely on counting paths. Since 1928, Scouts have created numerous unmapped "cut-throughs," so what looks like a trail may not be on your map. Instead, look for colored disks called "blazes" attached to trees; these will guide you to popular destinations.

Hiking

The reservation offers several easy hiking loops with slight to moderate slopes. One notable destination is Tippling Rock, which provides excellent views of three states, Boston, and Mt. Monadnock. You can also find a page with helpful GPS coordinates for most locations on the full website.

Tips for Visitors

Although hiking by yourself is enjoyable, hiking with two is always safer and more fun!
Children should not be allowed to hike without adult supervision.
Dress appropriately for seasonal weather conditions.
Poison ivy and ticks are common in the woods. Staying on designated trails can help prevent contact with these hazards. Check yourself thoroughly for ticks after your visit.

Be a friend to Nobscot - help us keep it clean. Take only pictures – Leave only footprints!

Some Fun Nobscot Hikes

Hikers might find the “AllTrails” maps in the photo carousel below to be helpful. www.AllTrails.com is a smartphone App that helps people explore the outdoors with a large collection of detailed, hand-curated trail maps, trail reviews, and photos crowdsourced from a community of millions of registered users. We just thought that the maps of a few particular hikes might be helpful. Consider having a backup charger. GPS-based apps might discharge your cellphone battery quicker than you expect.

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