Women on bridge Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Women on bridge Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
A boardwalk cutting through tall green shrubs and trees.
Boston Nature Center, Mattapan

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Properties

Boston Nature Center & Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Mattapan
  • 67 Acres

Plan Your Visit

A community nature center and wildlife sanctuary with trails that traverse meadows, woods, and wetlands; home to over 150 species of birds, 40 species of butterflies, and more than 350 species of plants.

Directions to Boston Nature Center
Hours
Nature Center
  • Monday–Friday
  • 9:00 am–5:00 pm
  • Saturday, Sunday, & Most Holidays
  • 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Trails
  • Daily
  • dawn to dusk
  • 2 miles
  • 1 mile
See Trail Maps

Connect with Boston Nature Center

Property Regulations

  • Foot travel only; please stay on trails (day passes are available for powered mobility devices)
  • Dog walking and horseback riding are prohibited; please leave all animals and pets at home (service animals welcome)
  • Camping, collecting, smoking, hunting, fishing, releasing of animals, and feeding wildlife is prohibited.
  • Commercial photography needs prior approval; please see all photography guidelines.

Facilities

  • Parking
    Parking
  • Nature Center/Museum, Universally Accessible
    Nature Center/Museum, Universally Accessible
  • Restrooms, Universally Accessible
    Restrooms, Universally Accessible
  • Trail, Universally Accessible
    Trail, Universally Accessible
  • Picnic Tables
    Picnic Tables
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Station
    Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Upcoming Programs

See more
See more

Explore Boston Nature Center

  • A boardwalk cutting through tall green shrubs and trees.
    Boston Nature Center, Mattapan
  • View of the Boston Nature Center building
  • Two young girls, one with a pink hat and the other with a black ponytail, picking yellow and pink flowers.
    Boston Nature Center, Mattapan
  • Group of people holding shovels between to solar panels
    Boston Nature Center Net Zero Groundbreaking
  • Two people walking on a grassy path surrounded by tall green vegetation and a solar panel.
    Boston Nature Center, Mattapan
  • A lush green garden in front of a tan building with windows.
    Boston Nature Center, Mattapan
  • Two people with walking sticks and one without walking on a gravel path towards a the camera.
    Boston Nature Center, Mattapan
  • Group walking past shovels, hard hats, and solar panels
    Boston Nature Center, Mattapan
  • A lush green garden in front of a tan building with windows.
    Boston Nature Center, Mattapan
  • Four solar panels in the middle of tall, green vegetation.
    Boston Nature Center, Mattapan

Latest News

More News
BNC Tents and buildings lit up on a summer evening
Special Event May 29, 2025

Birds & Brew at Boston Nature Center

Event Date: Friday, June 6

Keep Reading
Observation Tower in woods
Observation Tower at Arcadia
News May 14, 2025

10 Places in Massachusetts You Need to Visit this Spring

Keep Reading
two people digging in dirt
News May 01, 2025

Dig into City Composting with the Boston Nature Center

Keep Reading