About Lynn Woods
The Lynn Woods Reservation, founded in 1881 and located in Lynn, Massachusetts, is the second largest municipal park in the United States. The Woods offers 2,200 acres of over 30 miles of scenic trails for hiking, running, horseback riding, mountain biking (not allowed during the winter), cross-country skiing, and nature walks. Three active reservoirs provide pretty pond-like scenery among natural forestland, as well as clean water for the City of Lynn. Dungeon Rock is a well-loved underground tunnel with a history of pirate lore and treasure seekers. The Rose Garden, Houghton Horticultural Garden, and Amphitheater areas provide more formal settings to explore.
The Buried Treasure of Dungeon Rock
According to legend, a pirate by the name of Thomas Veal traded silver for metal goods made from the Saugus Iron Works while hiding from the authorities in the Lynn Woods. Thomas reportedly buried a large treasure within a deep natural cave in the Lynn Woods. He was allegedly trapped by an earthquake in 1658, and news of the buried treasure continued to create interest in the site for years.
In 1851 Hiram Marble, a wealthy Massachusetts man, purchased the rock and a few acres of the surrounding land in search of the treasure. Consulting with psychic mediums to contact the pirate's spirit and guide his excavation, he spent large sums of money and used explosives to dig 175 feet into the rock. The treasure has not yet been found, but the public is welcome to venture deep into the cave and listen for the ghost of the pirate himself...
Open to the public May 1 - October 31
9:00am - 2:30pm, Tuesday - Saturday
Historical Accounts of Lynn Woods
For more information, click below to view accounts of the Lynn Woods dating back to the 1630's.
"So Near the Metropolis"- Lynn Woods, a Sylvan Gem in an Urban Setting
Elizabeth Hope Cushing. 1988
Lynn Woods, with Pen and Camera
Nathan Mortimer Hawkes. 1893
Alonso Lewis. 1829
William Wood. 1634
Lynn Woods Attractions
Stone Tower
Breed's Pond
Stone Tower
Stone Tower was built for observation in 1936. 48 ft tall. Open 9am - 2:30pm, Tues - Sat.
Walden Pond
Breed's Pond
Stone Tower
Lynn Wood's largest reservoir, offering serene water views and wildlife. No swimming, fishing or boating in our drinking water.
Breed's Pond
Breed's Pond
Breed's Pond
Formerly a mill pond in 1870, this was Lynn's first water storage purchase after a fire prompted supply concerns.
Steel Tower
Breed's Pond
Breed's Pond
On a clearing atop Mount Gilead (272 feet, second highest point in Lynn Woods) includes the metal frame of an old tower.
Wolf Pits
Mountain Biking
Wolf Pits
From the 1700's, wolves were a constant threat to livestock. Visit the pits theorized to be wolf traps.
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Wolf Pits
Over 30 miles of trails to beautiful vistas and natural features, with varying trail difficulty.
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking
Exiting and challenging opportunities for trail riding. Visit New England Mountain Biking Association for more info.
Rock Climbing
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking
Excellent bouldering opportunities all over the woods with nearly 1000 routes on mountain project.
Park Hours
Open from sunrise to sunset every day of the week
For your safety and the protection of the woods, the Lynn Woods reservation is closed at night.