BreakheartReservation
Small parking lot at a forest edge beside a gated paved path

Parking & Directions

Parking at Breakheart Reservation is free. DCR runs two lots: the main entrance at 177 Forest Street in Saugus, beside the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center, and a second entrance at 100 Hemlock Road in Wakefield. If you are heading for the swimming beach at Pearce Lake, use the Wakefield entrance; DCR says it is the closer of the two.

At a Glance

Parking at a Glance

CostFree at both entrances
Saugus entrance177 Forest St., Saugus
Wakefield entrance100 Hemlock Road, Wakefield
Closest to the beachWakefield entrance
Closest to the visitor centerSaugus entrance
Park hoursSunrise to sunset
Park phone(781) 233-0834
Camp Nihan131 Walnut St., Saugus (separate entrance)
Parking Lots

Three Places to Park, With Directions

The directions buttons launch Google Maps in a separate browser tab. The two entrance pins are the trailhead coordinates DCR prints in its hiking guide; the Camp Nihan button uses the street address on DCR's page. DCR publishes no space counts, so none are shown.

Driving In

How Far Is Breakheart From Boston, Worcester, Providence and Manchester?

Road distances to the Saugus entrance with the main roads from each city. For the Pearce Lake beach, finish at the Wakefield entrance instead.

Road distance and typical drive time, no traffic, to the Saugus entrance, 177 Forest Street
FromMilesDrive (typical, no traffic)
Boston11.519 min
Worcester561 hr 15 min
Providence611 hr 23 min
Manchester NH481 hr 7 min

Each drive ends at the Saugus entrance, 177 Forest Street. Road distance and drive time from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), checked 2026-11-06, from each city hall. Drive times are typical, with no traffic.

From Boston

Starts at Boston City Hall. 11.5 miles, 19 min (typical, no traffic).

  1. Leave Government Center on North Washington Street, then join US 1 North.
  2. Stay on US 1 North (the Northeast Expressway, Cutler Highway, Bennett Highway, then Broadway) for about 9 miles.
  3. Take the exit and turn right on Forest Street to the Saugus entrance.

From Worcester

Starts at Worcester City Hall. 56 miles, 1 hr 15 min (typical, no traffic).

  1. Leave downtown on Front Street and Grafton Street (MA 122), then join the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) East.
  2. Stay on I-90 East for about 38 miles into Boston, then follow I-93 North and US 1 North.
  3. Stay on US 1 North (Northeast Expressway, Cutler Highway, Bennett Highway, Broadway) for about 10 miles.
  4. Take the exit and turn right on Forest Street.

From Providence

Starts at Providence City Hall. 61 miles, 1 hr 23 min (typical, no traffic).

  1. Take I-95 North out of Providence for about 31 miles.
  2. Join I-93 North and US 1 North and stay on them through Boston, about 18 miles.
  3. Stay on US 1 North (Northeast Expressway, Cutler Highway, Bennett Highway, Broadway) for about 10 miles.
  4. Take the exit and turn right on Forest Street.

From Manchester NH

Starts at Manchester City Hall. 48 miles, 1 hr 7 min (typical, no traffic).

  1. Leave downtown on Elm Street (US 3), then join I-293 South and I-93 South.
  2. Stay on I-93 South for about 34 miles, then take the MA 129 exit (Lowell Street, then Salem Street).
  3. Join I-95 South (MA 128) for about 2.5 miles, then take the Walnut Street exit.
  4. Follow Walnut Street to Broadway (US 1), then Lynn Fells Parkway.
  5. Turn right on Forest Street to the Saugus entrance.
Open in Google Maps
MassachusettsSaugus and Wakefield, north of BostonOutline: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)

Saugus Entrance: 177 Forest Street

The Saugus entrance is the main gate and the one most visitors mean when they say "Breakheart." It sits on Forest Street on the park's southeast side, with the visitor center, restrooms and the start of the paved loops right by the lot. DCR starts five of its six suggested hikes here, and gives the trailhead coordinates as 42.483550, -71.027963. From this lot you can walk straight onto Pine Tops Road, the paved path that forms the 2-mile Inner Loop (DCR's Healthy Heart Trail), or pick up the Fox Run Trail to the right of the visitor center. The hiking guide lays out each route.

Wakefield Entrance: 100 Hemlock Road

The Wakefield entrance is the one people search for most by name, and for good reason: it is the short way to the beach. DCR's map shows the Hemlock Road entrance and its lot beside Northeast Metro Tech High School. DCR's directions for the Pearce Lake Trail start here: take the paved path to the left for about half a mile and you reach the beach. The coordinates DCR gives are 42.494387, -71.042978. On a hot July afternoon this is the entrance to aim for if you are carrying chairs, a cooler and small children. The Outer Loop can also be started here; DCR lists both entrances as trailheads for it.

Which Entrance for What

Driving Inside the Park

You cannot drive through Breakheart. The paved roads inside the park, Pine Tops Road, Elm Street and Hemlock Road, are walking and biking paths, and DCR's map notes that gates are in place to discourage motor vehicles while every other trail user is welcome past them. DCR's trail rules prohibit motorized use on the trails. Park in one of the two lots and walk in.

When the Lots Fill

DCR's hiking notes warn that space at trailheads may be limited, ask drivers to avoid blocking others in, and advise against leaving valuables in the car. With free parking and a guarded beach, the lots are busiest on summer weekends during the swim season. Arrive early, or come after the beach closes at 5:45 p.m. if you only want to walk.

Getting There

Breakheart straddles the Saugus–Wakefield town line north of Boston; DCR's hiking guide puts the Boston skyline 7 miles south of Eagle Rock, inside the park. Put the street address of the entrance you want into your map app: 177 Forest St., Saugus or 100 Hemlock Road, Wakefield. The two lots are on opposite sides of the park and are not connected by a public road through it, so pick the right one before you set off.

Accessible Parking and Paths

DCR lists Breakheart as wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms, picnicking and visitor center, and paved walking trails. In summer, a beach mat and a beach wheelchair are provided at the Pearce Lake beach. The plan your visit page has the full accessibility list.

Before You Go

The park is open sunrise to sunset; check hours for the visitor center and beach schedule. Read the dog rules before you bring a dog, and the park rules before you bring a grill. Questions on the day go to the park at (781) 233-0834.

Small sandy lake beach edged by tall white pines on a summer afternoon
Bicycle parked beside a paved path through mixed forest
FAQ

Parking & Directions FAQ

Is parking free at Breakheart Reservation?

Yes. DCR lists free parking at both of Breakheart's lots: the main entrance at 177 Forest Street in Saugus and the Wakefield entrance at 100 Hemlock Road. There is no daily parking fee to pay.

Where is the Wakefield entrance to Breakheart Reservation?

The Wakefield entrance is at 100 Hemlock Road in Wakefield, next to Northeast Metro Tech High School on the park's northwest side. DCR says it is the closer lot for Pearce Lake beach; the paved path from the gate reaches the beach in about half a mile.

Which Breakheart entrance should I use?

Use the Saugus entrance (177 Forest St.) for the visitor center, the paved loops and most of DCR's suggested hikes. Use the Wakefield entrance (100 Hemlock Rd.) for the swimming beach at Pearce Lake and the Pearce Lake Trail.

How far is Breakheart Reservation from Boston?

About 11.5 road miles and 19 minutes without traffic, from Boston City Hall to the Saugus entrance at 177 Forest Street, mostly on US 1 North. Worcester is about 56 miles (75 minutes), Providence about 61 (83) and Manchester, NH about 48 (67), by OpenStreetMap routing checked on November 6, 2026.

Can you drive into Breakheart Reservation?

Only to the parking lots. Inside the park, the paved roads are closed to cars and are used as walking, running and biking paths; DCR keeps gates in place to discourage motor vehicles.

Next Up

Hours & FeesOpening times, seasons and fees.Plan Your VisitThe short version before you head out.Trail MapEvery marked trail, with distance and difficulty.

Facts checked against the DCR page for Breakheart Reservation on October 18, 2026.