Town land since 1938

Sherborn Town Forest

Woods and trails that stretch across town, open to everyone.

The Sherborn Town Forest is one of the largest areas of protected open space in town, with roughly 560 acres of woods, wetlands, streams, and trails spread across several parcels.

The Town Forest dates back to 1938, when Sherborn accepted an 18-acre woodlot on Pine Hill for use as a public forest park. It expanded over the decades through additional land purchases, gifts, and agreements.

Where
Several parcels across town, from the Charles River toward the Framingham line
Size
Roughly 560 acres
Established
1938
Good for
Hiking, running, mountain biking, horseback riding, and more
Cost
Free

Today, the forest includes an extensive and well-marked trail network used for hiking, running, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, bird watching, dog walking, and cross-country skiing. The Bay Circuit Trail also passes through portions of the Town Forest. The Sherborn Forest & Trail Association, a volunteer group founded in 1967, helps maintain trails across town, and its trail maps are available at the Sherborn Library.

A wooden trail post with Blue Trail and Red Trail signs at a junction in the Sherborn Town Forest, with a leaf-covered path leading into fall woods
Blue and Red Trail signs at a junction.
An old fieldstone wall running through fall woods in Sherborn, with leaves covering the ground
An old stone wall in the woods.

One of the easiest places to access the trails is near Pine Hill School, although there are many other access points throughout the town of Sherborn. The forest includes oak and pine woods, wetlands, vernal pools, streams, and habitat for deer, turkeys, foxes, owls, and other wildlife. It is one of the gems of Sherborn.

A child in a white sweatshirt walking away from the camera on a wide, sunlit Town Forest trail, past a tree with a red trail marker
A sunny fall walk on a Town Forest trail.

Because the Town Forest is spread across Sherborn rather than centered around one main entrance, it can be easy to overlook just how large it is. Together, its trails and protected land make it one of the town’s most important outdoor resources.

Good to know

Before you go

  • Dogs are welcome. Keep them under control, carry a leash, and pick up after them.
  • No motor vehicles on the trails.
  • Some trails pass near private property. Stay off land that is posted.
  • Hunting is allowed at certain times with permission, so wear bright colors in the fall.
  • Skip the trails when they are muddy.

Go straight to the source

Sherborn Town Forest Committee

sherbornma.org

Sherborn Forest & Trail Association

sherbornforestandtrail.org

Keep exploring

More of Sherborn

Trails & the outdoorsRead moreRocky NarrowsRead moreStone walls of SherbornRead more