Mystic Lakes State Park

April 25, 2020 Sunny

This state park in Winchester consists of two lakes that flow south into the Mystic River.

We parked along Upper Mystic Lake and started our roughly 3 mile walk from the Shannon Memorial Beach, after enjoying a quality meal from McDonald’s.

The trail heads south with the lake on one side and the Mystic Valley Parkway on the other. While there’s a paved path for joggers and bikers along the road, we mainly hugged the shore on the dirt trail.

The views were unexpectedly pretty looking west toward Winchester, with calm, clear water, and rolling hills dotted with fresh green leaves on the trees.

About halfway through the walk, we came to the Medford Boat Club, and paused to admire the views of both lakes from the dam.

Continuing along the lake we found a small wooded peninsula where we stopped to notice the narrowing lake flowing south into the Mystic River.

From there, we turned back and followed the Mystic Valley Parkway back to the car.

While the walk is easy and quick, the scenery was surprisingly pretty for an urban location.

• I thought the views across the lake were pretty. It was also nice that you can either take the paved path or follow right along the shoreline for much of the walk.
• This lake is surprisingly pretty.
• I’m bored of being bored because being bored is boring and this hour-and-a-half walk next to a normal lake didn’t help.
• It was just a regular walk near a pond. Boring.
• There was 2 ponds and a bridge and we walked for an hour and a half. The next thing I have to say is that we ate McDonald’s food there!!!!

For more information: Mystic Lakes State Park official site.