About Blue Hills Trailside Museum
Operated in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Blue Hills Trailside Museum is the interpretive center for the state-owned Blue Hills Reservation.
The sanctuary features a natural history museum and outdoor exhibits of native wildlife. The animals on display—including a River Otter and Red Foxes—have been rescued and would not survive in the wild.
Location
1904 Canton Ave, Milton, MA 02186
Get directions or contact us >
Hours
Museum & Gift Shop
Wednesday–Sunday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Restrooms are located in the Museum & next to the North Parking Lot
Outdoor Exhibits
Wednesday–Sunday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
→ For your safety and to avoid conflicts with wildlife, please follow our sanctuary guidelines during your visit. Dogs are not allowed in the outdoor exhibits area or on sanctuary grounds.
Trails
Open daily, dawn to dusk
Admission
- Members: Free
- Nonmembers: $5 Adults, $4 Seniors (65+), $3 Children (2-12)
As a way to give even more people access to nature and to thank active military for their service, we are proud to offer:
Indigenous Peoples: Free for all self-identified Indigenous people in Massachusetts
EBT Participants: Free for up to 4 people when you show your EBT card
ConnectorCare Card to Culture Participants: Free for up to 4 people when you show your ConnectorCare card
Wonderfund Access: Free for up to 4 people when you show your Wonderfund card
Active-Duty Military: Free for up to 5 people with a valid military ID card
Facilities
- Parking
- Universally Accessible Nature Center
- Universally Accessible Restrooms
- Universally Accessible Trail
- Picnic Area
Acres
Within the 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation
Trail Mileage
125 miles via Blue Hills Reservation
Sanctuary Highlights
- Programs and special events for all ages, plus live presentations featuring native wildlife.
- Summer camp to discover nature through hands-on exploration, creative play, and active learning.
- Universally accessible path including a rope guide and educational materials in large-print, Braille, audio, and tactile formats.
- Gift shop that carries backyard birding items, Blue Hills souvenirs, a variety of field guides, handmade jewelry, eco-friendly gifts, and much more.
- Home base for the Snowy Owl Project, which collects migratory and physical data on wintering Snowy Owls.
- Private function and event space at the Norman Smith Environmental Education Center atop Chickatawbut Hill, the second highest peak in the Blue Hills Reservation.