Hope Goddard Iselin Preserve

Great small preserve where you can take your dogs for a walk in the woods, but it also connects to planting fields arboretum so you can get a great 4.5 mile hike in if you want. Typically very uncrowded and it’s nice in all seasons.

Picturesque preserve with two distinct sections that hold beauty on their own merits. White pine plantation remnants are magnificent (there is a piney aroma with sweet and earthy undertones). Another favorite is the meadow loop area (remnants of Youngs family farm), it looks gorgeous in spring or fall (photos attached). My preference is to access preserve from Planting Fields Arboretum trails to improve combined hiking mileage (plus preserve’s parking is free but relatively small). Kudos to North Shore Alliance for maintaining preserve in good condition with public access to it (as opposed to some groups limiting access to the land despite public funds used to acquire it).

Hiking Adventures await you in this Peaceful Preserve with loops going through a Pine Forest and a Meadow. Beautiful Views & Trails. Dogs are allowed. Enjoy . Hike more 🐶✌️🇺🇸🥾🪵

Very nice quick trail! I managed to spend 2 hours there by wandering and looping twice, but you could finish the main loop in 30 minutes - an hour. The main trail/loop is under a mile (about 3/4). The maps aren’t terribly detailed but so long as you don’t stray from the path, you should be fine. The trees all have trail markers and the path is pretty obvious. There is a path through the “meadow” you can take to add a little bit of length (also just a loop that brings you back to the main trail). There’s an offshoot trail that takes you down to the golf course, and if you continue on it will lead you into Planting Fields. If you choose not to go that far, it also loops you back around to the main trail. Main loop is flat for the most part - the tree roots make it lumpy in some parts, but there’s no real hills or anything. Parking lot is small like the other reviews say, maybe 5-6 cars max. Check for ticks on your way out!! I found a small one as I was leaving.

The parking lot at the entrance to this park is quite small, with space for around 5-6 cars maximum, so turn up early. That being said, the loop trails within this park are all well maintained and the trails are amply signed. There are two loops, one going through a meadow and another through a pine forest, both are a great way to experience nature.