Signal Hill, Canton, MA - The Trustees of Reservations
Metro Boston
Signal Hill
Canton
150 acres
Looking up at Signal Hill
Looking up at Signal Hill
In the midst of Greater Boston, discover a protected refuge offering views of the Blue Hills and access to the Neponset River.
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Plan Your Visit
Overview
Ideas for Your Visit
Admission & Hours
Directions & Contact Info
Property Map
Regulations & Advisories
Overview
From a modest, 188-foot summit, the views of Great Blue Hill and the Boston city skyline in the distance are undeniably soaring. To get there, you’ll travel a short, easy ascent up a former cart path.
Bring binoculars on your journey: hawks ride thermal drafts between the Blue Hills and the Neponset River, while songbirds find shelter in the woods and wet areas. Along the way, pause to consider the ancient history of the landscape: as the last glacier retreated, paleo-Americans who settled the Neponset River Valley used Signal Hill as a seasonal home.
Ideas for Your Visit
If you’re heading out for a day of paddling, walk down the flat trail toward the banks of the Neponset River and put in a canoe or kayak. Keep your eyes peeled and ears open: frogs, turtles, and other amphibians take residence in the river’s ecosystem.
Admission & Hours
FREE to all.
Open from sunrise to sunset.
Directions & Contact Info
University Road
Canton, MA 02021
Get
directions on Google Maps
From I-95/Rt. 128:
Take Exit 13 onto University Avenue. Proceed through large industrial park development to traffic light at Canton Street. Left on Canton St., cross Neponset River and take immediate right onto University Road. Proceed through office park. Parking on right just before last building, also on right.
From Canton:
Take Dedham Street and immediately after crossing I-95 and railroad bridges take left on University Road. Follow further directions as above.
Property Map
There are 1.3 miles of trail at Signal Hill.
Download a trail map
before setting out.
Regulations & Advisories
Hunting is not permitted at this reservation.
Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties
Alcoholic beverages, fires, camping, and littering are prohibited.
Disturbing, removing, defacing, cutting, or otherwise causing damage to a natural feature, sign, poster, barrier, vegetation, or other property is prohibited.
Dogs must be leashed at all times. Help us keep Signal Hill clean for all visitors by removing dog waste from the reservation.
PHOTOGRAPHY
: We ask that photographers or their clients become Contributing Level Members before conducting portrait sessions at this property.
Click here
for more information, and to request permission for any portrait sessions. The Trustees of Reservations reserves the right, and may give permission to its designated photographers and videographers, or to outside media, to photograph or video visitors and program participants at all its facilities and properties.
Before Setting Out
Prior to Setting Out
A few things to keep in mind before your adventure begins.
Guidelines When Visiting
Not sure whether you can mountain bike or bring your dog? You can search our reservations based on these and many other criteria.
Guidelines for Dog Walkers
Trustees properties that allow on-leash or off-leash dogs, as well as guidelines when walking your dog.
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Upcoming Events
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Friday, April 24
Friday, April 24
Arbor Day at Rockie’s Urban Wild
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Start the City Nature Challenge with Us!
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
Wildlife Trackers: A Nature Observation Program for Kids
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Wildlife Trackers: Join the City Nature Challenge
Sunday, April 26
Sunday, April 26
Explore Leatherbee Woods: Community Nature Observation
Signal Hill | Canton
Step Into the Woods: Discover Leatherbee Woods.
Monday, April 27
Monday, April 27
Explore the Neponset Greenway: Community Nature Observation
Signal Hill | Canton
Explore the Neponset Greenway: Community Nature Observation!
Saturday, May 2
Saturday, May 2
Master Urban Gardener Practicum
City Natives | Mattapan
Hone your gardening skills in an intensive and hand on class at the peak of planting season
Saturday, May 9
Saturday, May 9
Master Urban Gardener Practicum
City Natives | Mattapan
Hone your gardening skills in an intensive and hand on class at the peak of planting season
Property Acquisition History
Signal Hill was a gift to The Trustees of Reservations in 2005 from George and Nancy Bates.
The View From Here
Signal Hill offers family-friendly hiking
Sunny winter's day at Signal Hill
The summit is easy to achieve and offers expansive views
Gain views from the Neponset River
Enjoying a fall view on Signal Hill
See What People Say
An easy trail leads to a nice lookout in only about 5 minutes, where you can see the Boston skyline in the distance. There is a good amount of open grass area... There is also a nice easy put-in to the Neponset River for kayaking or canoeing, a longish walk from the lot but you are allowed to drive right to the river and drop off your boat, then return your vehicle to the parking lot. It's the only easy access to the river for quite a distance in either direction.
Ogdred, TripAdvisor
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