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Purgatory Chasm State Reservation
198 Purgatory Rd, Sutton, MA 01590, United States
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Ja
Review №1

A great place to hike. Close to the highway. Beautiful geologic features. A great place to experience nature at its most extreme. With that said... Be careful. This place has risk and children should be supervised an allowed to push the limits. Enjoy!

Mi
Review №2

Its a great place to spend a few hours and parking is only $5 for in-state residents. Far too many people for my liking but once you get away from the chasm it really thins out. I do like that none of the areas around the chasm are restricted so you can explore everything that the chasm has to offer and climb around as much as you want. Take your time and watch your footing as its easy to twist an ankle or slip and fall, especially in the fall with the leaves and pine needles covering the rocks and trails.

Sa
Review №3

Excellent experience. Very interesting to see what glaciers did to the area years and years ago. Parking is $5 for MA residents and the restrooms are still available. The chasm itself can be a walk, and I’d advise caution, boots, and patience. If it’s wet, the rocks are incredibly slippery. There are plenty of other trails in the park that take you to various points around the chasm.

ky
Review №4

I love this place. The paths are great and the rocks are awesome to climb on and explore. The chasm is pretty big but you can make it to the other side in just a few minutes. The paths are pretty well marked and right now because of covid they are one way. Unfortunately its a 20 dollar out of state parking fee which is a little much if your not spending the day there.

Wh
Review №5

Sooo much fun to climb the chasm. There are some pretty tricky scrambles up the sides for intermediate and advanced climbers. The only down side is the small size of the place. It would only take an hour and a half to do all the trails at a moderate pace

Ta
Review №6

I didnt know you needed a parking pass for there now!! I got back to my car to see a ticket for $25 if I didnt go to a kiosk (which didnt accept cash) and buy a $5.00 pass. I did this. I then had to take the pass and wrap it up with the ticket to put it in a lock box. As my son, my 3 grandsons and I were enjoying the park, we went to discard of our trash only to realize there were no trash barrels anywhere! So we had to go back to our vehicle to put our trash inside so we could climb the rocks without it!. So with all the $ theyre now collecting, youd think theyd at least have trash barrels

Jo
Review №7

Beautiful park with well maintained walking paths. Very nice place to see nature.The playground is a nice size and is in the shade so kids can play even when its hot out.

Ja
Review №8

I took a star away because the parking fee for out of state residents is $20! We drove an hour to check this place out and thought it was crazy they would charge that much.My family and I went on a Sunday and there were a considerable amount of people there. Everybody was respectful of keeping their distance from other people. The hike through the chasm is short but pretty cool. Our four year old son completed the hike without any issues.Besides this trail there are other trails around the chasm that are worth checking out. After the chasm we hiked the orange/blue trail. Both trails we hiked today were well marked and easy to follow.

Ma
Review №9

Was amazing!!!!! Excellent fall foliage colors and som nice trails as well

Br
Review №10

Very fun for the entire family. Very easy, not strenuous at all. In the beginning there is about .25 mi of going down into the Chasm over rocks and boulders. My 4, 3, qnd 18mo old dud great there. Just be patient on nice weekends it gets pretty crowded. Definitely do this one.

Br
Review №11

Unfortunately, I can give only 3 stars, this place is incredible. Great views, nice playground. It is calming virtually no trash.... HOWEVER, this place use to be free. Now if you live in the state its only $5. But if you live across state lines.... its $20. To some thats not much, to others its a little much. It may keep some people away from visiting such a great place.

Jo
Review №12

Hard to find parking, but nice trails once you get here. Good for casual walk in the woods. None of the trails we did were challenging. The chasm itself is very rock, otherwise easy overall.

Li
Review №13

Amazingly breathtaking! The chasm itself took our breaths away. The walk through is a bit rough if not an active hiking type. As they suggest, great shoes are a must!The kids absolutely loved the giant rock formations both throughout the chasm and even the gigantic ones in the parking lot.Oct 2020- Trail is one way due to covid restrictions and the visitor center is closed.However, bathrooms were open!! (I believe until 5)We will definitely be back!!

Da
Review №14

Nice spot for an hour or two of hiking. The rocky area is pretty spectacular moderately advanced - not too advanced for anyone age 4 and older. We brought our big dog who had a few challenging spots to get through. After the chasm you can hike around the loop with us about 1.5 miles of beautiful trail hiking.

ma
Review №15

Great trails. Little purgatory at the far end of the chasm is worth checking out. Really cool fallen tree as of a couple weeks ago. Wish I got a picture of that.

Pa
Review №16

Excellent Hiking, Kind Staff! We went there with our dog and loved it. Place is hard to walk dogs because of gaps but leashes pets are allowed. Great hiking! Big rocks, lots of climbing. Proper attire is required. Rangers are very kind and there is an ice cream truck. On a scale of 1-10 of the hardness (1 being easiest) I’d rate it 7-8.5. It’s great for older kids, families, and on other trails, dogs. Enjoy!

Ga
Review №17

Good place to hike, wear good snickers as there are many slippery spots. If you bring kids you will need to be careful as there are several parts dangerous for them but if you take all the precautions this spot is awesome. Parking is $5. There is a playground too.

Li
Review №18

Really fun, but definitely challenging with younger kids. There are different path choices that can avoid the rockier areas though. Good luck and be safe!

Ca
Review №19

First time to Purgatory Chasm and it was very cool. The pictures I was able to take are awesome. Good exercise as well, climbing up the rocks. Definitely would recommend it. Grounds were very clean and so were the restrooms.

Mi
Review №20

Purgatory Chasm is an almost unknown treasure very close to Metro Boston. The hike around the Chasm is maybe 1 mile but there is so many crevasses, chasms, and cliffs to explore that will make you want to take your time. If you go on top of the cliffs it is about 40 feet to the bottom so be cautious, especially if you have children. I went in April during Covid and it was packed with people. There is plenty of parking at 2 lots and also on the road. I believe there is public restrooms as well.

Ca
Review №21

Great setting. Really enjoyed climbing on the rocks.

Si
Review №22

Excellent place to go and spend the day hiking with plentiful picnic tables available. Just be careful! Chasm is full of large rocks, many slanted and can be slippery. Children can get too excited and get hurt, or run towards a cliff without enough stopping power. Monitor for safey when you bring your kids. Also, many large groups went during the day, not all wore masks... I really think the park rangers should be working towards ensuring social distancing. Average to experienced hikers will enjoy the Chasm. More level ground hiking trails also available.

Sh
Review №23

Love Coming here Oh I wish I knew this place Existed as a kid But Its 20$ to park but Worth it.

Ja
Review №24

The place is tremendous there are very cool caves that are not on the tourist map. Have been going there for years. Problem is what used to be free is no longer. There is now a parking fee of $20 for out of state plates. Place is nice but not spending twenty bucks to go hike for a couple hours. Unfortunately I wont be going back. Due to this rating goes from 5 to 2

De
Review №25

Best place to walk and explore even in the hottest of days. Always cool and or can find nice cool places to rest. Bring water though...thirsty work climbing boulders for kids and self. Wear comfortable none slip foot wear and clothing you dont mind getting dirty.

Pa
Review №26

We had a great time hiking here and enjoyed hiking on the rocks. Its a place where the average person can go to enjoy a walk in and around the rocks. While mountain hikers or rock climbers wont find it a challenge, its perfect for getting young kids and adults out for the day enjoying nature.Plus its free except for a parking fee.

Ab
Review №27

Lots of parking lots near the trails and off the main road. Parking was $5 all day or until the park closed. This was the best hiking trail ever. It had trails for all levels(beginner,intermediate and experts). It had picnic areas that also held fire pits to grill and a main cabin where there was bathrooms and information desk for any questions you may have about the park.

Do
Review №28

Great place to take the family foraging hike. It was free when I was a kid, 20 bucks for a day pass. Still worth it.

Ch
Review №29

Great hidden gem not far from worcester

Ma
Review №30

We really enjoyed this place! The reservation has plenty of picnic tables, a nice playground and of course the Chasm. My 10 years son enjoyed a lot as he came across such a nice place for the first time. Highly recommend.

Ma
Review №31

Great place for a moderate hike! Amazing chasm of rocks, its really amazing to see! Theres also smaller trails around the chasm to see all of purgatory. This is a local hot spot so be prepared to face crowds of people!

Je
Review №32

Such a fun place to go explore and go on adventures. My 9 and 6 year olds loved it! I wasnt sure how the younger one would do, but it went well and we all had so much fun!

Ry
Review №33

Beautiful place with tons to see. Be careful there are some big cliffs!

Ca
Review №34

Very cool! Beautiful chasm, great walking trails and dog friendly to boot. Loved it!

Ch
Review №35

Amazing, kid-friendly natural marvel.

M.
Review №36

Currently no restrooms. Visitors center closed. Parking fee is annoying, especially for out-of-staters. Trails are well-kept and almost totally litter-free. I saw a small frog, which is always a plus. Signage and trail markings are user-friendly.

Su
Review №37

I love this place. I travel over an hour to get there and I go at least once a year, every summer. I bring friends and family there as well because its a good time climbing the rocks Im enjoying nature.

Ra
Review №38

I may be indexed to larger geological formations out west and other places so this one is not five star. It is interesting and the hike is quite good. Paths Meander sometimes without good markings but the site is small so you cant get lost. Dangerous for small children if you dont pay attention. Dog off a leash could be a real problem here.

Ja
Review №39

Beautiful State Park, great hiking medium to difficultly hiking take your time and enjoy.

Le
Review №40

Love this place. And there is a legend behind this place. Look it up and read it. Your visit will be better.

La
Review №41

Did the Charlies Loop trail with my 4 and 7year olds. Was nice! Tons of rocks and boulders though.

Al
Review №42

We really enjoyed this place! The reservation has plenty of picnic tables, a nice playground and of course the Chasm. Wear sneakers! I would rate the difficulty as moderate due to the rocks. Highly recommend

st
Review №43

Must keep your footing in certain areas, easy to twist an ankle or worse. Beautiful scenery and kept very clean. Flip flops not advised !!!

Al
Review №44

Nothing too special. Bunch of big rocks, various walking trails. Worth checking out if you are less than an hour drive away.

Ad
Review №45

I visited this place today with group of friends around 15 people including kids. There many route are available inside and some rocks and caves route are also available which are very difficult for kids and elder people. Overall I felt very happy inside the state Forest..its nice atmosphere and good air circulation..you feel the nature and green beauty..inside one park also available where kids can play and enjoy it.Please wear good shoes and rock structure are amazing ..kids trolley are difficult to handle...

Ju
Review №46

Was a worthwhile hike. Has many different paths you can take with beautiful photo opportunities.

ja
Review №47

Excellent place for hiking, walking or just sightseeing. Dog friendly also..

Da
Review №48

Anyone who grew up in Worcester county knows of Purgatory. It is one of the few places left where there are no safety nets, no rubber mats, no padding to break a fall. The place hasnt changed in 50 years.Have fun, act responsibly, be considerate and it is a great day for all.

Ma
Review №49

A must see place the Gorge is a half a mile long go during the week not on the weekend its very peaceful and quiet beautiful if you like glacier formations thank you

Ja
Review №50

We took some of the grandkids and our dog. They had fun climbing through the rocks and enjoyed the trails.

Gr
Review №51

This is a fun spot. All ages and levels. Its also cool to see what Glaciers did to the region way back when. A lot to learn and tons to hike.

Ca
Review №52

What a Gorgeous parkMy family had an amazing timeThe blue chasm trail is beautifulCant wait to go again

Mi
Review №53

We had a blast! Well marked trails. Lots of big blouders to climb.

Em
Review №54

I loved this place! My family and I went on Charleys Loop, and absolutely loved it! It was a bit slippery, as it had rained, but it was still quite fun. There were rocks to climb even tho we didnt do the Chasm, and there was a creamery 0.7 miles away where we got icecream. 10/10 experience!!!

Br
Review №55

Great hike. Weekday so not very crowded. It was wet with lots of leaves on the ground so the Chasm was very challenging for me.

De
Review №56

Nice! Have a hike and a picnic! Grills available as well as a playground for the little ones!

Ph
Review №57

Great hiking trails.

La
Review №58

Excellent and challenging trails!! We did Chasm

C
Review №59

Fun lots of rocks and paths to climb on. Keep the little ones near by.

Br
Review №60

Beautiful natural area but the ridiculous money grab for parking and terribly placed signage about it killed the vibe. You should not have to pay to access nature.

Ca
Review №61

Very nice hike not difficult at all. Several trails to choose from. The parking fees are ridiculous at $20 per car.

Jo
Review №62

Beautiful place for a hike and a picnic. Lots of trails to explore very well maintained.

Pa
Review №63

Easy trail. Very interesting terrain. The chasm is beautiful!

Be
Review №64

I had a delightful afternoon here. The weather this winter has been pretty amazing for those who dont like snow and cold temps..thats me. I found this place through a google search. The reviews were way up there so I decided to give it a look see. On this beautiful day in mid March I had no trouble finding a parking place, even though the park was full of visitors. I hopped on the loop trail, usually a safe bet for new visitors. There was a sign stating the trail was one mile. The trail is a good hard dirt surface with lots of rocks and tree roots. Watch your step! It is a hike, so thats perfect for me. Kids and adults will love this place. The kids can climb on the rocks and explore nature while the adults can enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of every day life. There are easy to follow colored markers to guide you around the loop. I would suggest following signs and markers to explore other sites in the park. I did and was led back to the loop trail easily. I truly enjoyed my afternoon here and will definitely go back. I would also suggest wearing some light hikers because of the rocks and pine needle covered portions of the trail. I took a few pictures along the way. Youll have a great time here too, Im sure. If this review was helpful please give a thumbs up. Have fun out there!

Ji
Review №65

This is the rockiest place I have ever been to. An amazement to the eyes. A great place to hike with kids.

S.
Review №66

If you want adventure thats manageable for everyone, I would 10/10 recommend

Ma
Review №67

Excellent hiking. Parking is difficult on the weekends. Rangers are around looking for tickets so be sure to pay for your parking

Ke
Review №68

Dont forget to put parking pass in your window. Great place for family

Ja
Review №69

Such a fun spot, really easy to find and well maintained. Its nice for a small hike to little purgatory as well but the chasm is beautiful whether on top or on the bottom

Ja
Review №70

Amazing place to hike and see. Just be careful bringing kids here. The edges of cliffs have no rails or anything. Be careful taking in the beauty of this place

Br
Review №71

Love the chasm and trails. The $5 local parking is reasonable, however, disappointing theres no trash cans available with that price.

Ke
Review №72

It is beautiful, but tons if mosquitos! I loved it regardless! So beautiful, nicely kept, clean, the people were nice, and I plan to camp here!

Br
Review №73

Awesome rock formations here to hike and visit. Its a short hike but will involve some climbing. Make sure the weather is good as the area can close if it rains, wet rocks are very slippery and dangerous!

Ry
Review №74

The chasm itself is a very short hike, but there are so many rocks to climb, caves to explore, and other things to do that it is as exciting as you want it to be. You dont need to be an expert rock climber, but it is no walk through the park.

Ni
Review №75

The kids loved climbing up and down the rocks and hiking through the forest

Jo
Review №76

Awesome place to visit for a 2-hour hike. Modest elevation changes, and a beautiful mix of different terrains between the two loops.

Ke
Review №77

I absolutely love Purgatory Chasm. I go there frequently, as I am a local. There were no parking spaces left when I went there today, so people were parking on the sides of the road and walking the short distance. It is a wonderful place for families as well. I wouldnt recommend walking the trails at all during a rainy day or shortly after it rains. Once youre done hiking, ice cream lovers would really enjoy some ice cream from nearby West End Creamery. Google them for their menu and prices. Some of the best Ive cream around.

sh
Review №78

Hidden gem among state parks. Nice hilly hikes and picnic areas.

Br
Review №79

Very cool. My 4 year old was able to handle the chasm without problems.

Cr
Review №80

A great place to get out in nature. Clearly marked trails that fit varying degrees of fitness levels.

Id
Review №81

Peace and quiet walk. People maintained their distance. Surprisingly enough, people were doing cookouts, while maintaining their distance.

Je
Review №82

Fun nature trail with many rocks to climb on. Very packed trail though and not that many people wearing masks. We arrived at 10am on Sunday with plenty of parking spots available. When we returned to our car at noon the lot was full with people circling.

Do
Review №83

Always like to stop when in the area. Nice picnic stop. Take a walk to relax. Lots of trees, lots of rocks for kids to climb on. Some pretty flowers pop up the right time of year. I do wish people would respect nature and pick up after themselves and not spoil the beauty.

Ti
Review №84

It was great, not what we expected at all. It was clean! But almost noone was wearing a mask and the bathrooms were closed. WHAT? They were open at Douglas State park.

Ji
Review №85

Good place to take a break from traveling. Shady picnic groves and a shelter available for rent. Heavily patrolled by local and state authorities. Encourage members of your party to be very discreet if they drink or smoke. It attracts unwelcome attention.

Sr
Review №86

Small and sweet Trail. Plenty of picnic tables to hang out.

Su
Review №87

Such a great walk down to the chasm and the leaning rock. The easier way is thru the rocks are shown via blue marks. Just watch your feet and the trail. There was a surprising amount of people with dogs (all on leashes) going thru some tricky terrain. Although i didnt see any problems i would recommend leaving your puppies at home. Some of the ledges dropped pretty far. Keep the kids close. There is a state park parking charge so bring a credit card. Loved it!

Kh
Review №88

Took the kids to the playground. Love the nature shade from the trees. The kids were like little explorers going on the rocks, stumps, and playground. FYI, parking is no longer free and they have an automatic ticket machine outside the building for $5. The small parking fee is worth it for a full day with the family and helping to preserve this natural beauty of a park.

An
Review №89

It was great. I loved it. You have to be there and experience it for yourself. Great for climbing rocks with the kids.

St
Review №90

$5 to park, big playground, lots of trails, Chasm is incredible!

Jo
Review №91

Great trails. Fun times.

Ma
Review №92

Great day trip. Always have a great time when I come.

Mo
Review №93

Really good went with my family , with kids n adults , they enjoyed it alot its a good work out n scenic views

Vi
Review №94

For all. A great day on the trails today. Looking forward to the next hike.

Li
Review №95

Awesome place with endless nooks and crannies to explore, its only fault is that there isnt enough of it

le
Review №96

Awesome place. I will go back again

Ca
Review №97

Beautiful place. Nice walking paths

Br
Review №98

Great place for hiking and rock climbing. And so much more!

Ph
Review №99

Great natural wonder.. Can be dangerous

Na
Review №100

Good place for simple and short hikes.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.7 Rating
  • Address:198 Purgatory Rd, Sutton, MA 01590, United States
  • Site:https://www.mass.gov/locations/purgatory-chasm-state-reservation
  • Phone:+1 508-234-3733
Categories
  • State park
  • Hiking area
  • Park
  • Picnic ground
  • Tourist attraction
  • Visitor center
Working hours
  • Monday:6:30am–7pm
  • Tuesday:6:30am–7pm
  • Wednesday:6:30am–7pm
  • Thursday:6:30am–7pm
  • Friday:6:30am–7pm
  • Saturday:6:30am–7pm
  • Sunday:6:30am–7pm
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
  • Public toilet:Yes
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