HomeMassachusettsMedford › Mystic Lakes State Park

Mystic Lakes State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 926 Google reviews · Running trail in Medford, Massachusetts · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Mystic Lakes State 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.

ShadedScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

State park featuring a sandy beach, hiking trails, and areas for boating.

What runners say about Mystic Lakes State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (926 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“I go during the week and it’s quiet and very clean.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Sometimes it smells a little bit and the geese can be agressive in the Winter but otherwise a beautiful place.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“I go during the week and it’s quiet and very clean.”

Great place to spend evenings in the summer. There are lots of beautiful hiking trails in the area. If you just want to relax by the water, you can do so at an absolutely gorgeous beach (shown in picture). They have ample picnic tables if that’s your vibe. There’s never a shortage of parking at the state park.

★★★★★ — Abhirup , Feb 2020

Huge lake with a surrounding walking path. There is a playground nearby for kids and several parking lots in different areas. When walking the proximity of the cars driving past makes it a bit of a noisy experience. There are also bugs if you go for a walk after 6.

★★★★☆ — Fibi , Aug 2025

Wow!! First time to this lovely park. There is a big playground, soccer field and of course the beach! Great sandy area to set up and swim. You can also fish, hike the trails and kayak, paddle board or go on a bigger boat. The bathrooms are new and very nice and clean. I can’t believe this place is FREE!!

★★★★★ — Katie , Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 926 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“The trees obscure direct view of the lake so you will have to go down a steep pathway to the edge of the lake for better views.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“There is a playground nearby for kids and several parking lots in different areas.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“I go during the week and it’s quiet and very clean.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“There are picnic tables and shady wooded areas adjacent as well as a lovely large playground and fields with soccer nets.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“There is a new structure with restrooms and changing area just a few feet from the beach.”

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Plan your run at Mystic Lakes State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitemass.gov
  • Phone+1 617-727-5380

Hours

Monday 7 am–7 pm
Tuesday 7 am–7 pm
Wednesday 7 am–7 pm
Thursday 7 am–7 pm
Friday 7 am–7 pm
Saturday 7 am–7 pm
Sunday 7 am–7 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Mystic Lakes State Park

481 Mystic Valley Pkwy, Medford, MA 02155

Get directions

Running trails near Medford

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust

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Brooks Parkhurst Town Forest

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Loop Trail

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Loop

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Hill's Hill Mountain Biking Area

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Hill's Hill

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Recreational park with a baseball field, soccer field, playground, picnic tables, and bike paths.

1.4 miles away

Cross Fells Trailhead

4.1 ★★★★☆ 8 reviews

Medford, MA

1.5 miles away

All running trails in Medford, MA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.