Medfield Rhododendron Reservation - Medfield, MA
Medfield Rhododendron Reservation – Dog-Friendly Trails in Medfield, Massachusetts
Medfield Rhododendron Reservation is a well-kept secret in the heart of Medfield, offering pet-friendly trails surrounded by beautiful woodlands. While this conservation area is known for its unique stand of protected rhododendrons and tranquil atmosphere, it’s also a favorite spot for dog owners looking for scenic, dog-friendly hiking near Medfield. With expansive trails—some more challenging than others—it’s a great destination for those seeking a peaceful place to walk their dogs or enjoy nature with family and pets.
The park is renowned for its quiet charm, particularly during off-peak hours, and features a small, unpaved parking lot. Though not officially a dog park, dogs are frequently walked here, with some areas allowing off-leash fun (even if signs suggest otherwise, so owner vigilance is advised). There are picturesque hills, a beaver habitat, marked trails, picnic spots, and seasonal wildflower displays. It’s also adjacent to other natural spots like Rocky Woods Reservation and offers fun for both kids and adults, with side trails and historical elements like an old mill site nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? There are areas of the park where dogs are allowed off-leash, though leash signs are posted. Many visitors do allow their dogs to run free.
- What are the park’s leash requirements? Signs indicate dogs should be leashed, but off-leash use is common; ensure your dog can be recalled and is under control at all times.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? There is no designated fenced dog area here.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are new park benches and picnic tables throughout the park.
- Is there parking available? There is a small, unpaved parking lot that fits approximately 4–5 cars.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? There is a playground and open field in walking distance, offering climbing equipment and swings for children.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park features several hiking trails and is connected to nearby trail networks.
- Is there shade or shelter available? The trails are wooded, providing ample natural shade.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Maintenance can be variable; some trails have recently been cleaned, but others may remain overgrown with fallen trees or weeds.
- How busy does the park get on weekends? The park is generally quiet, with low foot traffic even on weekends due to the limited parking.
- Are there ticks or other pests common in the area? Reviewers note the presence of poison ivy and recommend long pants in summer; typical woodland pests may be present.
Reviews
This is a sleeper of a nice woodland tucked away in the heart of Medfield. It is pretty dry and nice woodland, not as wet or buggy as you’d imagine (the region surrounding it is otherwise a vast wetlands).
The trails are a little tricky, but expansive and the red loop has a nice hill challenge if you can find it. The summit lacks a dominant landscape view like Blue Hill or the Bluff head on Moose Hill. Overall it’s a very pleasant conservation with low foot traffic and peaceful quiet for large parts of the day including after hours (4-7).
Visited the grove Difficult to find.
The Rhododendrons do not look very well. They need help.
There’s a small parking lot for 2-3 cars on Woodbridge road with a tiny sign that explains access to the protected rhododendron’s. There road leads you adjacent to private property and the trail is overgrown with poison ivy, large ferns & high grass. It didn’t feel safe being that it wasn’t well-worn. I recommend long pants in the summer for this trail. It’s a relatively short hike to the fenced-in rhododendrons. They all appeared to be in bad shape, so I think it’s wonderful that people are protecting them and trying to help the grove rebound. Perhaps in a few years this will be a more worth-while adventure. Apple maps sent me to a swamp on the other side with no trail access but Google maps got me to the right place. I was able to see the rhododendron’s in bloom and I am grateful for that.
Trail to the rhododendron grove is short, but has poison ivy, many wet areas, and many large fallen trees. The grove has only a few straggling bushes, with no blossoms even during peak rhododendron season. A sign from 1999 says it is being restored, but the fencing that was apparently installed then to keep deer out is now in disrepair.
I was here a few years ago, and saw the rhodos completely bare of flowers when the rhodos around our neighborhood were flowering beautifully. Went back last week and it was again a dismal sight, a few sparse and sickly rhodos, in a space poorly maintained, and at the end of a path long abandoned. The path has fallen trees blocking it at multiple points, and weeds encroaching on the path everywhere. It feels like the Trustees are intentionally trying to keep visitors away, but then those that do make it to the rhodo enclosure discover it more likely a case of negligence than something intentional. The enclosure itself is fallen in one part by another fallen tree, meaning the wildlife will have no trouble nibbling on the few rhodos that remain, and decreasing the likelihood this stand will stand for the next generation. Not worth a visit, but worth a plea to the Trustees to please preserve this space for all to enjoy.