Prospect Hill Park
Prospect Hill Park
4.5
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
206 within 5 kms
Attractions
196 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
66 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
24
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
0
beArNo7
Boston, MA53 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
You can drive all the way to the overlook and the view of the city is very good. There are also well maintained hiking trails around. Nice place for weekend activity!
Written 6 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sgrdn3
Ithaca, NY56 contributions
Jan 2020
Gem, of a park close to town. Lots of trails and the ridge trail affords great views of the area including downtown Boston.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrT1408
Waltham, MA11 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
From Main Street in Waltham to a moderately challenging short climb in a leafy park.
Beautiful views of Boston Metrowest and beyond can be seen from the top of Prospect Hill. You can either drive to the entrance to the park and walk to the top of the hill, or, even better, park on Main Street and climb through the Prospect Hill residential area, which has beautiful homes.
My favorite climb is along the Ridge Trail from the Prospect Hill Road entrance, over the top of the hill, down the other side to Totten Pond Road, then back over the hill. It is a moderately challenging climb that takes about 75 minutes. A good aerobic workout for an elderly person like me (71). One can drive up to the top from the Totten Pond Road entrance but not down to Prospect Hill Road. Numerous side trails run off the Ridge Trail; all are well marked and well traveled. There are also numerous shelters and fireplaces for a cookout or picnic, as well as portable toilets. Watch out for poison ivy, although the trails are wide enough that one an easily avoid it. There is a playground near the Totten Pond entrance. Since the park closes at 7:00 pm, one should keep track of the time.
Beautiful views of Boston Metrowest and beyond can be seen from the top of Prospect Hill. You can either drive to the entrance to the park and walk to the top of the hill, or, even better, park on Main Street and climb through the Prospect Hill residential area, which has beautiful homes.
My favorite climb is along the Ridge Trail from the Prospect Hill Road entrance, over the top of the hill, down the other side to Totten Pond Road, then back over the hill. It is a moderately challenging climb that takes about 75 minutes. A good aerobic workout for an elderly person like me (71). One can drive up to the top from the Totten Pond Road entrance but not down to Prospect Hill Road. Numerous side trails run off the Ridge Trail; all are well marked and well traveled. There are also numerous shelters and fireplaces for a cookout or picnic, as well as portable toilets. Watch out for poison ivy, although the trails are wide enough that one an easily avoid it. There is a playground near the Totten Pond entrance. Since the park closes at 7:00 pm, one should keep track of the time.
Written 20 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KMCK1111
Waltham, MA2 contributions
May 2016 • Family
The Ridge Trail is a great hike, from the top of Big Prospect, down a terraced trail and back up to Little Prospect, ending with the view of Boston from the top of Little Prospect.
Written 14 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caleb K
Tulsa, OK51 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
The hill had a surprisingly quick elevation change which made for some good exercise. The view of Boston and Cambridge were spectacular. Really nice considering the area has so few hills. There's plenty of parking at the bottom. And there's parking and picnic areas spread out all the way to the top.
Written 7 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SarahYuster
Staten Island,10 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
I found this park and trail by looking at google maps, then getting verification as to it's "runability" by asking at our hotel reception. Wow...it might have been a great run (just a four mile loop out and back from our nearby hotel), but it was hot, so we decided to walk instead. The park is small, well maintained...a long, winding, and VERY steep paved road to the top. It was an energizing walk, uphill through the woods, with various narrow dirt trails crisscrossing all along the way. This was a perfect little boost before we got back on the road for the rest of our trip.
Written 9 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelmlg
San Diego, CA19 contributions
Aug 2019
Had an afternoon to spare. Picked up a Lime Bike and rode through the trails and roads. Beautiful views. Should have brought some bug spray. Every time I stopped, gnats would swarm my face----just the right motivation to keep going!
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NorthStar567348
2 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Prospect hill in Waltham has the best view overlooking Boston.
You can walk bike or for the less able drive to to top of the well paced road and then view directly East to Boston and the water
There are many places to park and barbecue, but not overnight as closed at sunset
But at sunset there is a view west as well, but be careful as gate can close.
You can walk bike or for the less able drive to to top of the well paced road and then view directly East to Boston and the water
There are many places to park and barbecue, but not overnight as closed at sunset
But at sunset there is a view west as well, but be careful as gate can close.
Written 12 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bunky02451
Waltham, MA21 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
There is so much to do up there. They have all kinds of trails and are dog friendly. If you stay at the Westin-Waltham Boston it is right behind the hotel. I have lived in Waltham my whole life and it is nice quite little hidden Gem. I have been going there since I was a kid and walk my dogs every day up there. Very clean
Written 9 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew G
5 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
Since 1893, Waltham residents and visitors have enjoyed the natural, wild beauty of Prospect Hill Park.
There are trails that vary in difficulty, but most are easily navigable. The peaks of the park are the third highest in the greater Boston area so the park has natural inclines and declines. There are campsites and shelters for picnicking and get togethers.
As a lifelong conservationist, I have enjoyed the park for many years. I have seen deer, barn owls, turkeys, hawks and rare wild orchids. The sunsets are often wonderful.
Come and visit. Leave it nicer than you found it for future generations to enjoy. See the view of Boston from the summit. Listen to the quiet. Recharge, Appreciate and Enjoy.
There are trails that vary in difficulty, but most are easily navigable. The peaks of the park are the third highest in the greater Boston area so the park has natural inclines and declines. There are campsites and shelters for picnicking and get togethers.
As a lifelong conservationist, I have enjoyed the park for many years. I have seen deer, barn owls, turkeys, hawks and rare wild orchids. The sunsets are often wonderful.
Come and visit. Leave it nicer than you found it for future generations to enjoy. See the view of Boston from the summit. Listen to the quiet. Recharge, Appreciate and Enjoy.
Written 10 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roam65544708970
Boston, Massachusetts
Can you drive to the top or is it only accessible via hiking/biking?
Written 7 November 2022
GrandTour189256
Salem, Massachusetts
I have difficulty on rocks. How is the terrain up the hill?
Written 17 September 2019
There are paved trails throughout the park.
Written 25 September 2019
I have been looking for somewhere safe in this locality to go walking in the very early mornings (around sunrise) and I'm staying locally this week in September. Is it a safe place for lone female?
Written 25 September 2017
Yes. I am a lone female and go there frequently by myself. I do go during daylight hours and take my phone.
Written 25 September 2017
There are two very nice and well maintained unisex rest rooms across from the Summer House Shelter. They are waterless but there is hand sanitizer. On a raised ridge near the Valley Shelter there is a, let's call it, rustic green wood outhouse that could be used as well. I don't know if that one is maintained by the park. Once I have encountered that the two unisex bathrooms were locked. I don't know if they are locked to coincide with the park's hours or not.
See the online pdf map of the park for further guidance. It will point out the two Shelters I mentioned but it does not have symbols for the bathroom structures I mentioned. They're there! (Note: website links are not permitted here, but the map can readily be found under the City of Waltham website.)
Written 26 September 2017
Showing results 1-5 of 5
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing