Walker on a snowy trail through tall white pines

Winter at Harold Parker

Harold Parker State Forest stays open all winter, sunrise to sunset, and DCR's daily parking fee ends October 12. DCR lists cross-country skiing and ice skating among the forest's activities, and its planning page says the trails and unpaved forest roads are used for skiing and snowshoeing in winter. The campground is closed, the 2026 deer seasons run until December 31, and MassWildlife has added a January 2027 winter deer season in zones 9, 10 and 11.

At a Glance

Winter at a Glance

OpenSunrise to sunset

Parking feeNone listed after Oct 12

Cross-country skiingYes (DCR)

SnowshoeingYes (DCR planning page)

Ice skatingOn DCR's list; no posted ice reports

CampgroundClosed (2026 last night Oct 25)

HuntingDeer seasons through Dec 31

DogsOff-leash on trails

Cross-Country Skiing

DCR includes cross-country skiing on its activity list for Harold Parker, and its planning page describes visitors using the forest's trails and unpaved forest roads for skiing in winter. The wide fire roads are the best ground for skis: Stearns Pond Road around Stearns Pond, Berry Pond Road and the CCC Trail's fire-road sections. The rocky singletrack trails, especially the Yellow Diamond, are better left to snowshoes. See trails and hiking.

Grooming is not mentioned on any DCR page for the forest, so expect to break or follow tracks. Snowshoers and walkers: stay to the side of ski tracks.

Snowshoeing and Winter Walking

DCR's planning page names snowshoeing as a winter use of the trails. Any of the six marked trails works on snowshoes. Short daylight is the main limit: DCR's hiking notes ask you to plan conservatively, start early and watch the sunset time, and estimate an average pace of 1.5 miles an hour, slower in snow. Layer up, carry water (DCR warns there may be none on site) and tell someone your route.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is on DCR's list of activities at Harold Parker. DCR posts no ice reports for the forest's ponds, and its 2013 management plan says regulations on skating on open ponds ruled out winter skating at the Berry Pond day-use area. Call the headquarters at (978) 686-3391 before going on any ice. See the ponds.

Hunting Season Into Winter

MassWildlife's 2026 seasons keep hunters in the woods well into winter: shotgun deer season runs November 30 to December 12 and primitive firearms season December 14 to 31, and coyote, rabbit and squirrel seasons continue into 2027. MassWildlife has also added a winter deer season for January 1 to 30, 2027 in zones 9, 10 and 11; check which zone you are in. Wear blaze orange through December and beyond, and remember that hunting is never allowed on Sundays. See hunting.

What Is Closed

Lorraine Park Campground closes in fall; in 2026 the last night was October 25. See camping.
Swim areas close after Labor Day; Berry Pond's 2026 season ended September 7.
DCR's 2026 summer and fall programs ended in early October.

Parking in Winter

DCR charges its daily parking fee only from May 23 through October 12. DCR's page says nothing about plowing, so after a storm park only where the lot is clear and never block a gate. Lots are listed on parking.

Dogs in Winter

Dogs may still be off-leash on the trails, and leashed in the lots. Put orange on your dog in hunting season. See dogs.

Nearby Winter Options

Boxford State Forest, managed with Harold Parker, lists cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The paved, 0.6-mile Haggetts Pond Rail Trail in Andover is the town's accessible walking option.

The snowy edge of a frozen forest pond with pines

FAQ

Winter FAQ

Is Harold Parker State Forest open in winter?

Yes, sunrise to sunset every day. DCR's daily parking fee runs only May 23 to October 12, and the campground is closed in winter.

Can you cross-country ski at Harold Parker State Forest?

Yes. DCR lists cross-country skiing, and its planning page says visitors ski and snowshoe on the trails and unpaved forest roads in winter. No DCR page mentions grooming.

Can you ice skate at Harold Parker?

Ice skating is on DCR's activity list, but DCR posts no ice reports for the ponds. Call the headquarters at (978) 686-3391 before going on any ice.

Is there hunting at Harold Parker in winter?

Yes, into December and beyond. In 2026 shotgun deer season runs November 30 to December 12 and primitive firearms season December 14 to 31, and MassWildlife has added a January 1 to 30, 2027 winter deer season in zones 9, 10 and 11. There is no hunting on Sundays.