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Mill Pond Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 160 Google reviews · Running trail in West Newbury, Massachusetts · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Mill Pond Recreation Area'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.
Multipurpose trails winding through 270 acres of open fields & pine forests, plus athletic fields.
What runners say about Mill Pond Recreation Area
“" It's a beautiful place to walk around, but far too frequently do we have conflicts with people walking off leash in places where that isn't permitted.”
“Remember, not all dogs are as friendly as yours, but still need excercise and love.”
To the benefit of people that don't understand the different areas, here are the actual rules for Dogs at Mill Pond. "Leashed dogs in parking areas, on roads, around Mill Pond. Voice Control in woods and fields. No dogs on athletic fields.
A great place to bring dogs or hike yourself. Suppose to be on leash and many do not adhere to this so if this is something that is important to you I would not go here. It is upsetting when signs are posted and folks choose not to care.
I did 3.1 miles in 1 hour and 24 minutes. It is a wide, well marked trail that runs along Mill pond and through the woods and a few fields. There are also trails off of the main one to extend your hike. There are picnic tables along the pond with great views. I ran into a few people with dogs, who were friendly.
Excellent recreational area open dawn to dusk. Sometimes, if you can time it just right, you might be the only person out there on the trails, which is incredibly relaxing and fun. Definitely stay on the trails, use bug spray — mosquitoes and ticks can be problematic in a heavily wooded area like this.
Trail conditions & character
“Best place for a walk with ur dog common sense off leash Beautiful swimming area for the dogs Also canoeing, small motor boats,fishing”
“" It's a beautiful place to walk around, but far too frequently do we have conflicts with people walking off leash in places where that isn't permitted.”
“While most places charge an entrance or parking fee the use of the stunning Mill Pond Recreational Area is free.”
“You can expect to hike on rocks, roots, wood chips and stones.”
Plan your run at Mill Pond Recreation Area
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
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–8 pm |
Running trails near West Newbury
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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