Georgetown-Rowley State Forest with your dog: DCR off-leash trails

DCR's statewide guide lists its off-leash properties by region and says where on each one dogs may run. For Georgetown-Rowley State Forest the answer is on trails. Every off-leash area carries the same standard: the dog is under control, by voice, by an electronic training collar or as a ranger or officer directs, which means it stays within sight at all times, comes immediately when called, stays at your command, and does not charge or chase people, dogs, horses or wildlife.

The leash comes back at the edges. Dogs must be leashed in all DCR parking areas and when entering or leaving an off-leash area, and the owner should hold one leash for each dog. DCR's general rules still apply: a collar with current license and rabies tags, no more than four dogs per person without a permit, waste picked up and carried out, and no approaching other people or dogs uninvited. DCR adds that rules may vary at each area, so follow what is posted.

Hunting is on DCR's list of activities here, and the trail map asks visitors to be aware of hunting seasons and wear blaze orange when appropriate. MassWildlife's 2026 dates put archery deer season from October 5 to November 28, shotgun deer season from November 30 to December 12 and primitive firearms deer season from December 14 to 31. Sunday hunting is not permitted in Massachusetts, and MassWildlife itself suggests Sundays for walkers who would rather avoid hunting.

MassWildlife's advice for non-hunters is to keep pets leashed and visible and to put a blaze orange vest or bandana on a pet. That sits awkwardly with an off-leash forest, so make the choice on purpose: in deer season, orange on the dog and, for a dog that ranges out of sight, the leash. Winter brings cross-country skiers and snowmobiles, both on DCR's activity list, and a loose dog meeting a snowmobile on a bend is a risk worth avoiding.

A dog running free through low ground finds every wet patch, and a forest with a river and brooks running through it has plenty. Our bath and brush in Gloucester costs $55 for a dog up to 25 pounds, $65 up to 50, $75 up to 90, $85 over 90 and $95 for an extra-large long coat, and dematting is $15 per 20 minutes when burrs have knotted the feathering. Grooming books online or in the Dogtown app without an evaluation.

Georgetown and Rowley sit outside the Pup Van towns, so ask us about pick-up. For the recall itself, Dogtown Academy days give your dog training, enrichment and one-on-one time with a trainer every day, at $89 for a full day after the free evaluation. Our training is fear- and force-free and built on positive reinforcement, so we teach recall with rewards and a long line, not an electronic collar, even though DCR's rule allows one. Private sessions start from $94.