Home › Massachusetts › Charlton › Buffumville Lake Park
Buffumville Lake Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 369 Google reviews · Running trail in Charlton, Massachusetts · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 8 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Buffumville Lake Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Kid-friendly park featuring volleyball courts, a small pavilion, boat launch ramp, swimming, and picnic facilities.
What runners say about Buffumville Lake Park
“Friendly staff, clean facilities, bathrooms, more than ample parking, and a beautiful beach with great water for swimming.”
“Amazing 8-mile hike (3-mile trail on one side and 5-mile trail on otherside) around the beautiful lake on the hiking trail that will leave you breathless.”
“I followed the blue blazers and it's a well marked path.”
This was my first time out to this park. They have a lake beach with life guards and some wonderful easy hiking trails. I think there's a disc golf area too and I saw grills and picnic tables.
Oct 2 2022 today I walked the South loop trail on the boat ramp side of buffumville lake. I followed the blue blazers and it's a well marked path. It's a challenging trail lots of stumps lots of down trees. But it's beautiful. Takes you in and around near the water. Lots of opportunities for pictures. Bring water.
Take the pup here once a week. Nice open area. Relatively clean all things considered. Nice disc golf course. You typically see people launching their boats, walking their dogs or playing Frisbee.
A delightful place for a quick hike, although it was dangerously icy during snow melt.
Trail conditions & character
“Amazing 8-mile hike (3-mile trail on one side and 5-mile trail on otherside) around the beautiful lake on the hiking trail that will leave you breathless.”
“Friendly staff, clean facilities, bathrooms, more than ample parking, and a beautiful beach with great water for swimming.”
“Friendly staff, clean facilities, bathrooms, more than ample parking, and a beautiful beach with great water for swimming.”
“Not the most wheelchair accessible beach, even if you are usually independent, you may need some help getting around.”
“Amazing 8-mile hike (3-mile trail on one side and 5-mile trail on otherside) around the beautiful lake on the hiking trail that will leave you breathless.”
“Oct 2 2022 today I walked the South loop trail on the boat ramp side of buffumville lake.”
“I followed the blue blazers and it's a well marked path.”
Plan your run at Buffumville Lake Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance8 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenae.usace.army.mil
- Phone+1 508-248-5697
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–7 pm |
Running trails near Charlton
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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