Upper Peirce Reservoir Park Guide: Trails, Parking & Things to Do

Welcome on our insider’s guide to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park, a tranquil park. Located along the Upper Thomson Road, this park reservoir was part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The park covers five (5) hectares in space and was built in the late ’60s due to the increasing water demand. Now, this park is considered one of the attractions due to the serene beauty of the reservoir. It is one of the places in Singapore that is not crowded which is an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Follow us, as we walk you through the insider guide to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park.

Quick Guide To Upper Peirce Reservoir Park

📍 Location: Old Upper Thomson Road, Singapore
🕘 Opening Hours: 7:00 AM–7:00 PM
🎟️ Entry Fee: Free
🚶 Walking Time: 30–60 minutes
🙂 Difficulty: Easy
🚗 Parking: Free car park
☀️ Best Time: Sunrise or late afternoon
👍 Suitable For: Families, photographers, birdwatchers

Upper Peirce Reservoir Park at a Glance

Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is a peaceful retreat where visitors can escape the city’s fast pace and reconnect with nature. Unlike some of Singapore’s more popular parks, Upper Peirce Reservoir Park remains relatively uncrowded, making it an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility, scenic landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Its convenient location near attractions such as Lower Peirce Reservoir Park, Thomson Nature Park, MacRitchie Reservoir, and Upper Seletar Reservoir makes it easy to combine several nature destinations into a full-day itinerary. Whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll, enjoying a quiet picnic, photographing the landscape, or simply relaxing by the water, the park offers a refreshing outdoor experience for visitors of all ages.

Why Visit Upper Peirce Reservoir Park?

Where is Upper Peirce Reservoir Park

Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is located near the Central Catchment Nature Reserve in Singapore, accessible via Old Upper Thomson Road. The park situated just a short distance from the famous MacRitchie Reservoir, making it part of the Singapore Reservoirs.

How to Get to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park

Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is a quiet nature park beside Upper Peirce Reservoir. Here are the common ways to get there:

By Public Transport

Bus + Walk
The park is quite accessible on foot.

Take bus no. 138, 167, 169, 860, and 980 and alight at the bus stop near the Old Upper Thomson Park Connector.
From here, take a walk for about 15 minutes along the curvy road of Old Upper Thomson.
This park connector is also shared by joggers, cars, and cyclists.
Once you reach the main gate of the park, take a walk for about 20 minutes on the up and downhills.
On the third hill, walk right until you see the reservoir.

MRT + Bus

Ride the Circle Line (CCL) and alight at Marymount MRT Station.
From Marymount MRT, take bus 52 or bus 410G to the Thomson Road bus stop.
Then, walk to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park (around 15-20 minutes).

By Taxi or Ride Hailing Services

Inform the taxi driver that you are heading to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park, which is located at Old Thomson Road. This is the easiest option if you are carrying items, traveling with children.

Parking Information

Public Car Park is FREE, but the gate will be open from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM. The carpark is just a short walk to the reservoir and viewing area. The car park operates daily and provides easy access to the park’s walking trail, shelters, and scenic viewpoints.

Opening Hours and Admission

Upper Peirce Reservoir Park opening hours is from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM and no admission charge. If you are driving, make sure to leave the park within this timing, because the main gate will be close from 7:30 PM – 6:00 AM.

Best Time to Visit Upper Peirce Reservoir Park

Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is a year-round destination, but the experience can vary depending on the time of day. For the most pleasant weather and the best opportunities to enjoy nature, plan your visit during the cooler hours.

Early Morning (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM)
Morning is the ideal time to visit Upper Peirce Reservoir Park. The cooler temperatures make it comfortable for walking, while the calm reservoir and soft sunlight create excellent conditions for photography. Wildlife is also more active, giving visitors a better chance of spotting birds, butterflies, squirrels, and monitor lizards.
Late Afternoon (4:30 PM – 6:30 PM)
Late afternoon is another great time to explore the park. As the temperature drops, the peaceful surroundings become perfect for a leisurely stroll or enjoying the reservoir views. The warm golden-hour light also makes this one of the best times for landscape photography.
During the Rainy Season
Singapore experiences rainfall throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast before your visit. Light rain can enhance the park’s lush scenery, but heavy showers may make walking less enjoyable. Carrying a small umbrella or lightweight rain jacket is recommended.

Things to Do at Upper Peirce Reservoir

Although Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is relatively small compared to other nature parks in Singapore, it offers a peaceful escape with beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, and easy walking trails.

#1 Enjoy the Scenic View of Reservoir

The main attraction of the park is its reservoir. Once you reach the park, the reservoir makes a nice scenic view setting, especially in early sunrise and sunset. The reservoir is very pristine and quiet which is makes it a great place to relax.

#2 Take the Leisurely Nature Walk

One of the best ways to experience Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is by taking a leisurely walk through its peaceful surroundings. The park features an easy 300-metre walking trail that winds through mature trees before leading to scenic viewpoints overlooking the reservoir.

#3 Capture Beautiful Photographs

Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is a favorite destination for landscape and nature photographers. The calm water often reflects the surrounding forest, creating picturesque scenes, especially during the early morning when the reservoir is at its most peaceful. Most of the children play on these slopes by bringing cardboard to slide down.

#4 Relax Along the Peaceful Atmosphere

Unlike more popular parks such as MacRitchie Reservoir, Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is usually much quieter. Many visitors come simply to sit on a bench, enjoy the fresh air, read a book, or take in the tranquil surroundings. The park’s secluded location makes it one of Singapore’s hidden gems for relaxation.

#5 Have a Picnic

With shaded shelters, benches, and scenic reservoir views, the park is a lovely place for a light picnic. If you plan to bring food, store it securely and avoid feeding wildlife, as monkeys occasionally roam the area.

#6 Explore Nearby Nature Parks

As mention in getting go Upper Peirce Reservoir Park, there is the Old Upper Thomson Park connector. This park connector links to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park, Thomson Nature Park and Lower Peirce Reservoir Park. With the help of a park connector, access to the reservoir is quite easy. The park connector consists of a long shady walk with trees on each side. The park connector is shared by avid joggers, cars, and also cyclists. While walking there a family of monkeys usually play and stand by on the road.

Facilities and Amenities

The nature reserve park has facilities which include a public toilet, drinking water station. There is a small serene park at the reservoir where the visitor can take a break in the shelter areas and sit on the bench.

History of Upper Peirce Reservoir

Upper Peirce Reservoir is one of Singapore’s oldest reservoirs and plays an important role in the nation’s water supply. It was in the late 1960s, where there is a need for water that the Singapore government act to study and increase the capacity of the Peirce Reservoir. From here they constructed a higher dam which was then called Upper Peirce Reservoir. The name Upper Peirce Reservoir was in honor of Robert Peirce, a municipal engineer who made significant contributions to Singapore’s early water supply system. Upper Peirce Reservoir was completed in 1975 and was officially opened by late Prime Minister Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Today, Upper Peirce Reservoir forms part of Singapore’s protected Central Catchment Nature Reserve, helping to collect and store rainwater while preserving one of the country’s largest remaining areas of primary and mature secondary rainforest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Peirce Reservoir Park

Is Upper Peirce Reservoir Park free to enter?
Yes. Admission to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is completely free.
What are the opening hours of Upper Peirce Reservoir Park?
Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is generally open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
How long should I spend at Upper Peirce Reservoir Park?
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours exploring the park.
Is there parking at Upper Peirce Reservoir Park?
Yes. A free public car park is available inside the park.
Can you hike at Upper Peirce Reservoir Park?
While Upper Peirce Reservoir Park doesn’t have long hiking trails like MacRitchie Reservoir, it offers pleasant walking paths surrounded by lush greenery. Nature lovers can also explore nearby parks such as Thomson Nature Park and MacRitchie Reservoir for longer hikes.
What wildlife can you see at Upper Peirce Reservoir Park?
The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including long-tailed macaques, monitor lizards, squirrels, butterflies, and numerous bird species such as kingfishers and herons.
What is the best time to visit Upper Peirce Reservoir Park?The best time to visit
is early morning (7:00 AM–9:00 AM) or late afternoon (4:30 PM–6:30 PM).

Final Thoughts

Having visited Upper Peirce Reservoir Park, we can say that truly it is a serene and peaceful place. An ideal place for meditation and internal relaxation in both mind and body. The park also a lovely picnic place for family and friends. Children can enjoy and run around the park while adults exercise. It is popular among the cyclist and joggers as the road leads to the shaded trees. It is recommended to visit the park in the early morning to feel the cool breeze and fresh air. Likewise, a late afternoon visit can also be done, where the scenic view of sunset awaits. Although the park is quite isolated, it still worthwhile visiting it. We hope that this insider guide to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park helps you know more about the information as you visit the park.

Upper Peirce Reservoir Park Guide: Trails, Parking & Things to Do

Upper Peirce Reservoir Park at a Glance

Why Visit Upper Peirce Reservoir Park?

Where is Upper Peirce Reservoir Park