Chase Woodlands
Dover, MA
85 acres
metro-west
Bird Watching Cross-country skiing/Snowshoeing Hunting Mountain Biking Not Permitted Walking/Hiking (Easy) Horseback Riding Picnicking Dog Walking Not Permitted Regional Trail Link

About Chase Woodlands

Follow meandering trails through a forest of pine, beech, and hemlock and enjoy what was once a family’s cherished preserve.

What makes Chase Woodlands a special place?
The reservation’s network of gently sloping paths winds for more than two miles through groves of white pine, beech, hemlock, and yellow birch. As in most of Massachusetts, this woodland consists of second- and third-growth trees, the original virgin forests having been felled to clear land for agriculture in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Stone walls traverse the woods, and an open understory makes exploring easy for kids.

Trails
2.5 miles of trails, including a trail extension that links Chase Woodlands to Peters Reservation via a road crossing on Farm Street. The regional Charles River Link Trail passes through this reservation. Easy walking.

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour, 2 hours if also visiting Peters Reservation.

Regulations & Advisories

  • In cooperation with the Town of Dover, authorized bow hunting, only with written permission, is allowed on this reservation for a limited number of hunters, according to MasssWildlife regulations from mid October through December each year, from ½ hour before sunrise all day until ½ hour after sunset Monday through Saturday. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays. Signage is posted at the property listing safety precautions, requirements, and rules for the benefit of all visitors. Learn more about hunting on Trustees reservations >>

  • Mountain biking is not allowed.

  • Dogs are not allowed.

  • Horesback riding is permitted by no trail parking is available.

The Trustees reserves the right to photograph or video visitors and program participants for promotional use, and usage of our properties implies consent. Find the full policy here.

Directions

Farm Street
Dover, MA 02030
Telephone: 508.785.0339
E-mail: charlesrivervalley@thetrustees.org

Latitude: 42.2337
Longitude: -71.3231

Get directions on Google Maps.

From Points North: I-95/Rt. 128 South, take Exit 21A to Rt. 16 East. Follow left turns for Rt. 16 East. After approx. 5 mi., turn left at Pleasant St. Take 2nd right onto Glen St. for 2.4 mi., then right at Farm St. Follow to entrance and parking on left.

From Points South: I-95/Rt. 128 North, take Exit 16B onto Rt. 109 West for 1 mi. Turn right at Dover Rd. Continue onto Powisset St., then onto Walpole St., and onto Springdale Ave. After 1 mi., turn left at Farm St. to entrance and parking on left.

This parking area serves Chase Woodlands and Peters Reservation. Strict 4-car parking limit. On-street parking is not permitted in Dover. If lot is full, please come back at another time or visit a nearby reservation.

Admission

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour, 2 hours if also visiting Peters Reservation.

Admission
FREE to all

Property History

The original forest on this landscape was felled to clear land for agriculture in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In the 1950s, the Chase family purchased this scenic woodland near the banks of the Charles River and acted for many years as its stewards.

Property Acquisition History
Original acreage a gift, with endowment, of Theodore and Dorothea Chase in 1993. Additional land given by Brook Run Development in 1996.

Programs

Click here to learn more about our Summer in the Valley Photo contest.

Conservation and Stewardship

Management Planning for Our Properties
 


Since 1891, The Trustees of Reservations have worked to protect special places in Massachusetts and maintain them to the highest standards. To ensure these standards are met, a program of careful planning and sound management is essential. Comprehensive property management plans are created for each reservation and are completely updated approximately every ten years. We often work with volunteers, property users, and members of the community to carry out this planning, which typically involves several steps:
 


  • Describing in detail the site’s natural, scenic, and historical resources; identifying management issues related to the protection of those resources. 

  • Describing how visitors use the property; outlining the opportunities that the property provides for people to become involved in the work of conservation and caring for their community.

  • Developing a detailed list of management recommendations, a work plan, and a description of financial needs for implementing the actions.

  • Developing a prescribed routine management program for the reservation that will guide staff work plans, volunteer involvement, and the allocation of human and financial resources.


Maps and Resources

A trail map is available in the parking lot, but please note that supplies do sometimes run out. We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.



Planning Your Visit

Before You Go
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.

Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:

  • Protect wildlife and plants.
  • Guard against all risk of fire.
  • Help keep air and water clean.
  • Carry out what you carry in.
  • Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
  • Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
  • Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
  • Enjoy and share the landscape with others.

Click on links below for further visitor information:

Before Setting Out

Enjoying Trustees Reservations

Safety

About Hunting on Trustees of Reservations Land