Rules & Regulations

Breakheart Reservation's rules come from DCR and are short: the park is open dawn to dusk, grills must be propane (no charcoal), swimming is only in the designated area at Pearce Lake, dogs stay on a leash of 10 feet or less outside the fenced Barking Lot, nothing motorized goes on the trails, and you carry out what you carry in. Here is each rule, with where it comes from.

Hours

DCR lists the reservation's hours as sunrise to sunset; the trail-use guidelines on DCR's map say dawn to dusk. There is no overnight use except reserved group camping at Camp Nihan. Details on the hours page.

Grilling and Picnics

DCR's page for Breakheart is specific: no charcoal grills, propane only. That fits DCR's statewide grilling guidance, which says most parks allow gas grills and only a few allow you to bring charcoal. Don't leave a hot grill unattended. The reservation has picnic areas, including Pine Tops and Chimney Site on DCR's map, and a pavilion.

Swimming

• Swimming is allowed only in the designated swimming area at Pearce Lake, as DCR's map marks it.
• Silver Lake is no swimming.
• In 2026 the designated area was open May 23 to September 7, with lifeguards on duty daily from June 13, 10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

More on the Pearce Lake page.

Dogs

DCR: always keep your dog leashed, 10-foot maximum, and always pick up after your dog. The fenced Barking Lot (Bark Place Dog Park on the map) is the one off-leash area. No pets at Camp Nihan. Full detail on the dogs page.

Trails

From the trail-use guidelines printed on DCR's map:

• Stay on designated trails and roads.
• Observe all posted rules and regulations.
• Motorized uses are prohibited.
• Leave no trace. Pack out your litter. Respect wildlife.

DCR's hiking guide adds: keep your group to 12 people or fewer, follow painted blazes, and keep your group together at the slowest member's pace. The Stories in Stone history route is foot traffic only, and in winter, walkers and snowshoers should stay off ski tracks.

Bikes

Biking is a DCR-listed activity. On the shared paved loops, DCR asks riders to ride cautiously and yield to pedestrians. Massachusetts law requires helmets for riders 16 and under. No bikes at Camp Nihan. See biking.

Vehicles

Cars park in the two free lots only. DCR keeps gates on the park's paved roads to discourage motor vehicles; everyone else may travel past them.

Fishing and Boating

A Massachusetts fishing license is required to fish anywhere in the state, DCR notes. Clean all gear to stop aquatic hitchhikers; it is the law. If you paddle anywhere, life jackets are required for boaters 12 and under, and for canoeists and kayakers from September 15 to May 15. See fishing.

Hunting Season

DCR asks visitors to be aware of hunting seasons and wear blaze orange when appropriate.

Leave It Better

DCR's Stories in Stone guide puts it as "leave only footprints, take only pictures." Carry in, carry out: there is no guarantee of trash pickup on the trails. Respect the stone walls, the milldam and the lodge remains; they are the park's history.

Weddings and Groups

DCR lists weddings among Breakheart's facilities. Weddings, large gatherings and group camping go through DCR's permit process; start at DCR's special use permit page, or call the park at (781) 233-0834.

Questions

For anything not covered here, follow posted signs and ask DCR staff at the visitor center by the Saugus entrance.