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Visitor Guidelines

Hale is open to the public for passive recreation every day, all year. Visitor guidelines, trail maps, and information about activities, hours, and parking are available below.

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Autumn pond.
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Welcome to Hale

Hale is a private nonprofit that warmly welcomes visitors. While we invite the general public to freely use our trails, please know that on-site parking requires payment of a $10 daily parking fee (upon arrival; contactless payment is available and strongly encouraged) or purchase of an annual membership valid from Mar. 1, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2024. Members of Indigenous tribes are welcome to park free of charge. Please review and abide by the following guidelines as you explore the property. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to seeing you on the trails soon.

Consider the weather, check current hours, make sure enough daylight remains, and note any trail closures. Trail conditions, weather, programs, and special events necessitate changes from time to time, so double-check Hale’s website and social media.

Remember to pack gear that ensures safety and comfort, including layers, water, a snack, hats, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent, a headlamp or flashlight, first aid kit, trail map, and compass.

Do not bring private watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, motorized dirt bikes, firearms, fireworks, alcohol, or drugs. These are all strictly prohibited at Hale.

Our canine friends may accompany all visitors between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Members may bring their dogs to Hale during the summer months, too. Keep in mind all dogs must be licensed, vaccinated, well-behaved, and in good health. No more than two dogs may accompany each visitor at any given time. Dogs are not permitted on fields, playgrounds, beaches, or in ponds. Each dog must be on a leash and under its owner’s control at all times. Owners are responsible for bagging and properly disposing of pet waste; trash bins are located at major trailheads. Please note that hired dog-walkers may not provide services at Hale.

Member Benefit: Annual members may bring their dogs onto Hale’s property between sunrise and 8 AM seven days a week; from 4:30 PM until closing time Monday through Friday; and anytime during the day on weekends. For the safety of several hundred campers and program participants, during the summer, dogs are not allowed on the Red Trail or in the vicinity of Noanet Pond and must be leashed at all times, regardless of where they may be on Hale’s property. Failure to comply with this policy may result in suspension or revocation of membership and/or changes to these terms.

Hale’s Main Office is located at 80 Carby Street, Westwood, MA. Access the following sites via this entrance:

  • Andrew Cucchiara Learning Center (ACLC)—Pass the Main Office on the left and turn right. Continue up the hill and into the ACLC’s gravel parking lot.
  • Cat Rock Parking Lot—Pass the Main Office on the left and continue to the first paved parking area on the left.
  • North Beach—Park in Cat Rock Parking Lot. Follow the dirt road to the right of the bulletin board. At the end of the road, turn left to get to the beach.
  • Powissett Lodge—Pass the Main Office on the left. Continue for about 1.5 miles. The parking area is on the left, and Powissett Lodge is a short walk up the road.
  • Trading Post and Simches Family Center—Pass the Main Office on the left. Continue for about 1 mile. You will pass a small island in the road, turn sharply up a hill, and pass the Trading Post on the right. Park in the gravel lot on the left, opposite the Trading Post.

South Beach has a separate entrance. From Route 109, turn onto Dover Road and continue for about 1 mile. South Beach’s entrance is on the right, opposite 576 Dover Road; its blue street sign reads “Bruné Way.”

Parking on site requires payment of a $10 daily parking fee (upon arrival; contactless payment is available and strongly encouraged) or purchase of an annual membership valid from Mar. 1, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2024. Hale also welcomes members of Indigenous tribes free of charge. Be sure to read “Activities at Hale” below for more information about what you can (and can’t) do at Hale!

Know the speed limit and park in a lot. The speed limit is 15 miles per hour throughout Hale. Thank you for driving carefully to ensure the safety of people, dogs, and wildlife. Parking is only allowed in designated parking areas; roadside parking is not allowed.

Chart your course. Hale boasts many miles of trails and three ponds (Noanet, Powissett, and Storrow). Download a trail map or pick one up at the Main Office, familiarize yourself with the property, and orient yourself before you set out. Learn to use a map and compass if you plan to explore, and observe any trail closure or detour signs you may encounter. Do not rely on a GPS device or your smartphone, as many areas of Hale lack cell service. Remember to tell a friend or family member where you plan to go and when you plan to return.

Observe the Leave No Trace Seven Principles. Any visitor who defaces, damages, or removes plants, trees, signs, posters, barriers, buildings, or other elements—natural or built—may be banned from Hale. Take only photos—and know that our staff might capture a few of you, too! All visitors are subject to Hale’s Media Policy, and by visiting, you consent to its terms.

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Consult a Trail Map

Download Hale’s trail map to navigate the property. Third-party apps can also be an excellent resource, but keep in mind Hale does not endorse these tools or monitor user-generated data (and wireless isn’t reliably available in many parts of Hale).

Hours

Carby Street

Access to the property via Hale’s main entrance at 80 Carby Street changes throughout the year. Hale hosts many programs during the summer, so for the safety of our campers, families, and staff members, access is limited on weekdays during that time. Public restrooms are not available.

DATESOpen TimeClose TIme
Jan. 1–March 138 AM5 PM
March 14–May 148 AM7 PM
May 15–June 138 AM8 PM
June 14–Aug. 20 (Weekdays)4:30 PM8 PM
June 14–Aug. 20 (Weekends)8 AM8 PM
Aug. 21–Oct. 18 AM7 PM
Aug. 21–Oct. 18 AM7 PM
Oct. 2–Dec. 318 AM5 PM

Bruné Way

Access to the property via Hale’s south entrance on Bruné Way (opposite 576 Dover Road) is only available for Family & Community Program participants, special events, and private rentals. Public restrooms are not available. This area may be reached on foot or by bike—if you plan to do that, we recommend parking at Powissett Lodge or Noanet Landing (both accessible via Hale’s main entrance).

DATESOpen TimeClose TIme
Jan. 1–Memorial Day WeekendClosedClosed
Memorial Day Weekend–Labor Day8 AM7 PM
Labor Day–Dec. 31ClosedClosed

The Land of Stone

Sen Ki (which means “Land of Stone”) is open for public access throughout the year from dawn to dusk. This 30-acre parcel sits between High Street and Hartford Street in Westwood. Please note that dogs and bikes are not permitted at Sen Ki. Restrooms are not available. Sen Ki is currently the only portion of Hale’s property protected by a conservation restriction, which is held by Westwood Land Trust.

Large red barn in the woods.

Preserve And Support Hale

We rely on support from outdoor enthusiasts like you! Please consider a gift to preserve the land and support our programs.

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