Hours & Fees

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset. The exception is the chasm itself: DCR closes the Chasm Trail during the winter season because the rocks get slippery and icy, while all the other trails stay open. There's no entrance fee; DCR charges for parking from May 9 to October 26 (2026).

Daily Hours

DCR's park page and its trail map both give the same hours: sunrise to sunset, daily, open year-round. That means early openings and late closings in June and short days in December. There's no overnight use; camping isn't one of the activities DCR lists here.

The Winter Closure

The Chasm Loop Trail is the one part of the park with a seasonal closure. DCR's park page says the Chasm Trail "will be closed during the winter season" because of slippery, wet conditions, and its self-guided hike sheet says it closes in icy or slippery conditions. DCR doesn't publish fixed closing and reopening dates, so if you're planning a late-fall or early-spring visit around the chasm, call the park office at (508) 234-3733 first. In winter, walk the other trails; DCR also lists cross-country skiing here.

Rain Changes the Plan

Even when the Chasm Trail is open, DCR asks you to avoid it during or soon after rain, because the rocks are slippery when wet. It isn't a closure, just good sense. A dry morning after a dry night is the best time to scramble.

Fees in Brief

DCR charges a daily parking fee from May 9 to October 26 in 2026: $5 for Massachusetts plates, $20 for others. Passes, waivers and where to park are on the parking page.

Visitors Center and Program Times

DCR lists a visitors center among the park's facilities but doesn't post its opening hours. Its fall 2026 program schedule ran on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with several programs meeting at the visitors center or at the pavilion by the chasm entrance. For the current schedule, call DCR's program line at (508) 234-9610. Details are on the programs page.

Best Time of Day

Searches for the park peak in August. Whatever the season, give yourself at least an hour of daylight for the scramble so you're not finishing as the park closes at sunset.