Lynn Woods Reservation: Trails, Parking, Dungeon Rock and Stone Tower

Lynn Woods Reservation is 2,200 acres of forest, ponds and rocky hills inside the city limits, with more than 30 miles of trails. The city set it aside in 1881, and it is often described as the second-largest municipal park in the country. You can be on a quiet trail ten minutes from downtown.

Here is what to know before you go: where to park, what to see, and the rules.

Quick facts

• Size: about 2,200 acres, with 30+ miles of trails and fire roads
• Founded: 1881
• Main entrances: Pennybrook Road and Great Woods Road
• Good for: hiking, trail running, mountain biking (not in winter), horseback riding, cross-country skiing
• Cost: free
• Water supply: three active reservoirs in the Woods supply drinking water to Lynn, so treat the ponds with care

Getting there and parking

There are two main entrances, each with a parking lot.

• Great Woods Road is the bigger hub, next to the ball field, with the most parking. It is the easiest start for the north and central parts of the Woods.
• Pennybrook Road is the main gate on the south side and the most direct route to Dungeon Rock and Stone Tower. Both are open to visitors May 1 to Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, according to the Friends of Lynn Woods; see our Dungeon Rock guide for the history and the climb.

The two entrances are about 2.1 miles apart along the fire roads, so you can park at one and make a long loop. On warm weekends both lots fill up, especially Saturday mornings. Go early or try a weekday.

What to see

Stone Tower

Stone Tower sits on Burrill Hill. It was built of stone and mortar by the Works Progress Administration in 1936 as a fire lookout. After years of decay it was restored in 2010 with funding from the Richardson family, and visitors can climb the spiral staircase to the upper levels. On a clear day the view reaches the Boston skyline.

Dungeon Rock

Lynn Woods’ most famous landmark is a hand-dug tunnel in solid rock. In 1852 a spiritualist named Hiram Marble came to believe the ghost of the pirate Thomas Veale was guiding him to buried treasure inside. He and his son Edwin spent years cutting into the rock. They never found any treasure, but they left a tunnel you can still walk into. You go through a door and down about 150 feet of passage until the ceiling gets too low to stand.

Bring a flashlight; it is dark and damp inside. Access depends on the season and the weather, so check with the Friends of Lynn Woods before making a special trip.

Steel Tower

A second observation tower from the 1920s and 1930s, when the park built lookouts on its high points. It makes a good destination for a longer hike from the Great Woods Road side.

The Wolf Pits

Near Breeds Pond, these are stone-lined pits dug by early settlers to trap wolves. A 1907 account describes them as about four feet deep. They are a reminder of how wild this land was before it became a park.

Gardens

Near the Great Woods Road entrance, the Rose Garden, Houghton Horticultural Garden and amphitheater offer a quieter, more formal stop if you are not up for a long hike.

Things to do

• Hiking: the wide fire roads are easy walking. The narrower paths over the ledges are rocky and steep in places.
• Trail running: long loops on the fire roads, plus technical singletrack. Watch for bikes.
• Mountain biking: allowed except in winter, when the trails are closed to bikes to prevent damage.
• Horseback riding and cross-country skiing are allowed too.
• Birding: the ponds and forest draw migrating birds in spring and fall.

Rules and tips

• Keep dogs on a leash.
• Stay on marked trails, which protects the reservoirs and the forest.
• Wear sturdy shoes; many trails are rocky ledge.
• Bring water; there is little along the trails.
• Take a map or download one before you go. With 30+ miles of trails, it is easy to get turned around.
• No bikes on the trails in winter.

Before you go

Hours, tower access and Dungeon Rock opening times can change with the season. Check the Friends of Lynn Woods for current details, guided walks and events, or see the City of Lynn Parks & Recreation page.

Looking for more outdoor time in Lynn? See our guide to Lynn Shore Drive and Nahant Beach, or find upcoming events.

Sources: City of Lynn Parks & Recreation; Lynn Museum & Arts Center, “Lynn’s Gem: Lynn Woods” (2021); GBH News on Dungeon Rock (2022); the Daily Item (2019).