Hiking with your dog in New England is one of life’s great pleasures.
I’m Dr. Katie Holmes, a house call veterinarian in Grafton, and when I’m not on the road seeing patients across the Blackstone Valley, there’s a good chance I’m out walking with my Lab, Parsley. These are five of our favorite places, four for exploring and one for a well-earned coffee afterward.
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What I look for in a good spot is pretty simple: room to pass other dogs comfortably, enough variety to keep Parsley’s nose busy, and a pace that lets me actually enjoy where I am. Parsley’s criteria are simpler still. She rates every place on smells, and on how many people stop to compliment her.
I’ve also added a quick vet note to each one, because a little planning keeps a good day out from turning into an unplanned visit with someone like me.
1. Upton State Forest, Upton
Upton State Forest is a quiet, beautiful place to hike with your dog. Most days we only pass a handful of other people and their pups, which makes it a great place to get a little lost on a nice afternoon. Parsley loves it for all the smells. She finds the whole forest very exciting, and I love seeing her that happy.
The forest covers about 2,660 acres, with old Civilian Conservation Corps structures along the way and a 2-mile Healthy Heart Trail that starts right from the parking lot at 205 Westboro Road. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Vet note: Bring a towel, just in case your dog takes an unexpected dive into some mucky water. And make sure your pup is up to date on the leptospirosis vaccine in case they sneak a drink from it. Lepto spreads through water contaminated by wildlife urine, and puddles and slow streams in the woods are a common place to pick it up.
2. Lake Chauncy, Westborough
Lake Chauncy is another quiet, peaceful place I like to walk with Parsley. The lake is soothing, and the trails leave enough room to pass dogs who may not be the most sociable, which matters to me as someone who works with plenty of reactive dogs. Parsley likes it because she gets to explore, and there are good smells to be had without the muck of some other places.
The 182-acre lake sits off Route 9 in northern Westborough. Public walking trails run along parts of the shore, much of it bordered by the Wayne F. MacCallum Wildlife Management Area.
Vet note: It can get buggy here, so wear some repellent yourself and make sure your pup is up to date on parasite prevention. The state also notes that algal blooms occasionally cloud the water, so if the lake looks green, murky, or scummy, it’s best to skip the swim that day.
3. Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, Sutton
What better place to see some natural history than Purgatory Chasm? This is where my family and I go when we want a break from flat paths. I love standing at the bottom of the chasm and looking up at the rock formations. Parsley loves it because it’s somewhere new to explore, and we tend to meet a lot of people who compliment her, which she seems to appreciate.
The reservation is at 198 Purgatory Road, with about 2 miles of trails past formations like the Corn Crib, the Coffin, and Lovers’ Leap. Dogs are allowed. One timing note: the Chasm Trail itself closes for the winter season because the rocks get slick, though the other trails stay open, and there’s a seasonal parking fee in the warmer months.
Vet note: If you climb down into the chasm with your pup, bring a second person who can help lift your dog down between the rocks. If that’s more scrambling than you or your dog want, the trails around the rim let you take in the view without the boulders. A slip on wet rock is one of the easier ways for a dog to hurt a paw or a knee, so it’s worth following the park’s advice to avoid climbing during or after bad weather.
4. Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, Uxbridge
We really do live in a beautiful area. This stretch of the Blackstone River is so pretty. I enjoy walking the path with fields and trees full of chirping birds on one side and the river on the other. Parsley rates this place high on good smells, and she seems to smile the entire time we’re on the trail, even though she has to stay on her leash.
The park covers about 1,000 acres around River Bend Farm at 287 Oak Street. The Blackstone Canal Towpath Trail starts at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center and runs about 2.8 miles round trip on easy ground.
Vet note: Watch out for the poison ivy along the edges of the path. Dogs are rarely bothered by it because their coats protect their skin, but the oil can ride home on their fur and get on you. I know I’m the one who would pay for it. If your dog wades through a patch, a bath (gloves on for you) before cuddle time is a good idea.
5. Uncommon Cow, Grafton
After all that walking, this is where we refuel. Uncommon Cow is a little gem in Grafton, now located in the old town bank on Grafton Common. Coffee, ice cream, interesting historic architecture, and a pet-friendly patio out front. What more could you ask for? Parsley loves the nice people we meet here, and really, she wants to be anywhere I am.
You’ll find it at 21 Grafton Common, with Bliss Dairy ice cream, coffee, and breakfast and lunch from the kitchen.
Vet note: Pup Cups are on offer, but I vote no on rolling the dice to see whether Parsley ends up with diarrhea. A sudden rich treat is a classic recipe for an upset stomach, especially in dogs who aren’t used to dairy. She can have the carrots I pack instead.
What I Pack, and When to Call Your Vet
Most of what keeps these outings easy fits in a small bag: a leash, water and a bowl, a towel, poop bags, and a snack for each of you. A few other habits make a difference around here.
- Check for ticks after every walk. Run your hands over your dog’s whole body, including between the toes, around the ears, and under the collar. Central Massachusetts woods and fields are tick country for most of the year.
- Wear blaze orange in hunting season. Hunting is allowed at Upton State Forest and Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, so a bright vest on your dog (and on you) is a simple precaution in the fall.
- Keep vaccines and parasite prevention current. Leptospirosis, flea and tick, and heartworm prevention cover most of what these trails can throw at a dog.
When should you call your vet after a day out? Here’s how I’d sort it.
Go to an emergency vet right away if your dog:
- Collapses, has trouble breathing, or has pale or gray gums
- Has a deep cut, heavy bleeding, or a wound that won’t stop bleeding
- Can’t put weight on a leg after a fall
- Vomits repeatedly or has swelling of the face or muzzle
- Swam in or drank from water that looked green or scummy and is now drooling, weak, or shaky
Schedule a house call within a few days if your dog:
- Is limping mildly but still walking on the leg
- Has a tick bite that looks red or swollen, or seems tired and off a week or two after a walk
- Has an upset stomach that lasts more than a day
- Is licking or chewing at a paw
Book a quick telemedicine visit if:
- You found an attached tick and want to know what to watch for
- You’re not sure whether a scrape needs to be seen
- You want to check whether your dog’s vaccines and preventives are up to date before trail season
Monitor at home if your dog:
- Is tired but eating, drinking, and acting like themselves
- Has a small scrape that’s clean and not swollen
- Had one soft stool after a new treat and is otherwise fine
About the Author
Dr. Katie Holmes, DVM, is a house call veterinarian in Grafton, serving families across the Blackstone Valley, including Douglas, Hopkinton, Milford, Millbury, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Sutton, Uxbridge, Westborough, Whitinsville, and Worcester. A graduate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, she focuses on preventive care, senior pets, and dogs who find vet visits stressful.