A paved path winding through tall pines and autumn grasses

Plan Your Visit

Everything to know before you go to Borderland State Park

The one thing to know before visiting Borderland State Park: on spring, summer and fall weekends the 250-car lot often fills by late morning, and DCR then closes the park to new cars until spaces open. Arrive early or come on a weekday. This page is the planning hub; each section links to the page with the full details.

When It's Open and What It Costs

Open every day, 8 am to 6 pm by DCR's listing, with winter hours of 8 am to 4 pm. There's no entry fee, but parking is $5 for Massachusetts plates and $20 for others, year-round, paid by app or card (no cash). Trails, disc golf, DCR programs and DCR mansion tours are free. See hours & fees and parking & directions.

Getting There

Drive to 259 Massapoag Avenue, North Easton, MA 02356. The entrance road leads to the main lot and the visitor center. A small 10-car lot on the east side, at Bay Road and Allen Road, is an alternative for trail users. Please don't park on Massapoag Avenue or in nearby neighborhoods. See parking.

How Long to Stay

1 to 2 hours: the Pond Walk (about 3 miles, easy) with a look at the mansion from outside.
Half a day: a mansion tour, the Pond Walk and a picnic by the visitor center.
Half a day for disc golfers: 18 holes from the visitor center fields to Leach Pond (disc golf).
A full day: the ridge trails and boulders north of the ponds (trail map), or DCR's 5-mile guided Long Hike.

What to Bring

Water. There's a fountain at the visitor center, but DCR says drinking water usually isn't available on the trails.
Sturdy shoes. DCR says trails can be wet, and the ridge trails are rocky.
The DCR trail map, downloaded to your phone. DCR warns that some trails aren't well marked.
Layers. DCR advises dressing for temperature changes.
A card or phone for parking. No cash.
Bags for dog waste, and for your own trash: it's carry in, carry out.
Your own canoe, kayak, fishing gear or propane grill if you plan to use one. Nothing is rented.

Rules People Miss

Dogs on a leash of 10 feet or less. No alcohol. Grills must be propane. No bikes or horses on the Pond Edge, Swamp and Quiet Woods trails. Boats must be cartop and non-motorized. The full list is on rules & regulations.

Restrooms and Accessibility

The park's only public restrooms are in the visitor center, which DCR lists as accessible, along with accessible restrooms and educational programs. DCR also has a beach wheelchair that can be used on trails; call (508) 238-6566 to ask. The Pond Walk is wide and mostly level but not rated ADA-accessible. Mansion tours are first floor only on DCR tours; for accommodations, DCR lists (617) 645-0358.

Seasons

Spring: Friends of Borderland mansion tours begin in April, and the Fishing Fest is in May.
Summer: the busiest season for parking. Come early.
Fall: foliage on the Pond Walk, the car show and the haunted hayride (events).
Winter: shorter hours, cross-country skiing and sledding (winter).

Programs and Events

DCR posts a free program schedule each month, and the Friends run ticketed events. See events & programs.