About Blue Hills Trailside Museum

Baby owl at Blue Hills Trailside Museum
© Joan Moore

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—are non-releasable wildlife 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

Open 7 days a week, 9:00 am-4:00 pm

  Admission

  • Members: Free
  • Nonmembers: $5 Adults, $4 Seniors (65+), $3 Children (2-12)

As a way to increase access to nature, Mass Audubon also offers several free admission programs at our wildlife sanctuaries.

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
Details & map >

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.

Property Regulations

All of the land at our wildlife sanctuaries is protected. By conserving these open spaces, Mass Audubon, along with our members and partners, is able to fulfill its mission of protecting the nature of Massachusetts. When visiting, please take note of the following regulations: 

  • No dog walking at the Museum (indoors or outdoors); please leave all animals and pets at home (service animals welcome) Note: Leashed dogs are allowed on the Blue Hills Reservation trails
  • No walking off trail  
  • No collecting or picking natural items
  • No bike riding or operating motorized vehicles; day passes are available for powered mobility devices   
  • No running, swimming, or camping 
  • No operating drones or other remote-controlled vehicles   
  • No fishing, hunting, trapping, or releasing of animals   
  • No feeding wildlife   
  • No smoking 

Photography Guidelines

Mass Audubon welcomes visitors to capture the beauty and wonder of our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries through photography. If you would like to use a wildlife sanctuary for commercial photography purposes, please review the complete guidelines and learn how to schedule a time.