National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Harold Parker State Forest
State Park Information
State Park Overview
Harold Parker State Forest, which lies in Andover, North Andover, North Reading and Middleton, comprises just over 3,000 acres of Central Hardwood-Hemlock-White Pine type of forest. The forest is twenty miles north of Boston and within one hours drive of three million people. Recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, swimming, camping and picnicking. The forest has over 35 miles of logging roads and trails and offers quiet seclusion to off-road hikers and bikers. Non-motorized boating is allowed on any of the 11 ponds. No horse, boat or bike rentals are available at the facility.
Lorraine Park Campground, located about 2 miles from the Headquarters on Jenkins Rd., contains 91 sizeable campsites that are spread out sufficiently to provide a real "forest" camping experience. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a grill and
although no electric or water hookups are available, the bathrooms do have hot water showers. Camping is offered mid-April to mid-October office hours are from 9am-9pm.
Berry Pond is the areas day use facility and
is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. The pond has a sand beach and new washhouse with flush toilets and changing stalls set against a beautiful backdrop of trees reflected in the surface of the pond. Lifeguards are on duty from 1000 a.m. to 600 p.m. daily. Grills and picnic tables are available for anyone wishing to picnic at Berry Pond.
History of the Area