Massachusetts - Central

Spencer State Forest
Howe Pond Road
Spencer, MA
Phone: 508-886-6333

Visitors to this state forest will enjoy fishing areas, canoeing, swimming, and cross-country skiing and hiking trails. Picnic areas are available.

Streeter Point Recreation Area
Route 20
Sturbridge, MA
Phone: 508-347-9257 (winter)

This small 10-acre park offers hiking and cross-country trails, fishing areas, swimming, and picnic sites.

Upton State Forest
Westboro Road
Upton, MA
Phone: 508-278-6486

Visitors to this state forest can find a fishing spot, eat in one of the designated picnic areas, or just take in the scenery.

Wachusett Reservoir
River Road
Clinton, MA
Phone: 978-365-3272

An artificial reservoir featuring bird watching, fishing areas, and walking trails. Ice fishing not allowed. There is an admission fee.

Whitehall State Park
Route 135
Hopkinton, MA
Phone: 508-435-4303

Park has mountain biking, canoing/sailing, fishing, hiking on marked trails and motorboating. Scheduled programs are offered for visitors.

Douglas State Forest
Wallum Lake Road
Douglas, MA
Phone: 508-476-7872

A 4,500-acre forest featuring canoeing, fishing, swimming, and picnic areas. Hiking and cross-country ski trails also are available.

Dunn Pond State Park
Route 101
Gardner, MA
Phone: 508-632-7897

Visitors to this small park will enjoy recreation around the pond: canoeing, fishing, swimming, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Programs are scheduled at the park throughout the year. Rest facilities are available.

Federated Women's Club State Forest
Route 122
Petersham, MA
Phone: 508-939-8962

This park features fishing areas, hiking, and cross-country skiing trails. Part of the forest is a 140-acre wildlife sanctuary. A public campground is available.

James W. Brooks Woodland Preserve
Petersham, MA
Phone: 508-840-4446

Trails criss-cross the landscape of this preserve, which is ideal for bird-watching. Areas for fishing and cross-country skiing also are available.

Lake Dennison State Park
Route 202
Winchendon, MA
Phone: 508-939-8962

More than 4,000 acres offers visitors swimming, canoeing, and fishing areas. Trails for hiking and cross-country skiing are available. There is a public campground.

Leominster State Forest
Route 31
Leominster, MA
Phone: 508-874-2303

This park features spots for canoeing, swimming, fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. There also is a beach area. Late June, early July sees the mountain laurels bloom.

Moore State Park
Route 31
Paxton, MA
Phone: 508-792-3969

Enjoy canoeing, fishing, swimming, and hiking and cross-country ski trails. This was the site of grist and saw mills from 1747 through the early 20th century.

Otto River State Forest
Route 202
Baldwinville, MA
Phone: 508-939-8962

This 12,000-acre forest features programs for visitors, in addition to fishing, swimming, and picnic areas. There are hiking and cross-country ski trails. A public campground is available.

Quabbin Reservoir and Visitor Center
485 Ware Road / Route 9
Belchertown, MA
Phone: 413-323-7221

See Map

This artificially created reservoir has become a natural treasure-trove. Visitors can enjoy fishing, bird-watching, and an observation tower. Of particular interest are the eagles that nest in the area. There is an admission charge.

Quinsigamond State Park
North Lake Avenue
Worcester, MA
Phone: 508-755-6880

This small park features lake swimming and fishing. There are also picnic areas and rest facilities available.