Massachusetts - Central

Bear’s Den
Neilson Road
New Salem, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

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On its way to the Quabbin Reservoir, the Middle Branch of the Swift River passes through the steep granite cliffs of Bear's Den. A short trail forks at the entrance - the left spur leading to the gorge, the right leading to the stream bed below the falls. In 1675, the great chief King Philip met here with neighboring chieftains to plan attacks on Hadley, Deerfield, and Northampton. A black bear shot on the property gives the Reservation its name, though more romantic - yet unsubstantiated - stories exist.

Brooks Woodland Preserve
East Street
Petersham, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

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Once home to Nipmuc, the Brooks Woodland Preserve is an undisturbed forest of red oaks, hemlocks, and white pine. Visitors may hike or cross-country ski along 13 miles of woodland trails and former woods roads. Old stone walls cross the forest floor, passing through patches of maidenhair ferns, winterberry, and partridgeberry. Along parts of the Swift River, Moccasin Brook, and Roaring Brook, beaver dams have created swamps, and a cascade of glacial boulders provide dens for porcupines. Six early-nineteenth-century farmsteads can be rediscovered in the Preserve by their remaining fieldstone cellar walls, porch steps, and chimney supports.

Redemption Rock
Route 140
Princeton, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

Real New England History

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Redemption Rock is the site of the famous release from captivity of Mary White Rowlandson, who was taken with her three children, and twenty other captives by a force of Nipmucs, Narragansetts, and Wampanoags when they attacked Lancaster on February 10, 1676. The Native Americans were angered by the spread of colonial settlements, the conversion of forests into farmland, and injustices at the hands of colonists. She was ultimately ransomed at Redemption Rock by John Hoar of Concord, who negotiated her release with the Native American leader, King Phillip.

Rock House Reservation
Route 9
West Brookfield, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

Butterfly garden!

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Located near two long Native American footpaths, the large size and height of the Rock House’s southern exposure made it an excellent winter camp for Native Americans, suggesting its use as a trail camp and meeting place. Following the arrival of colonists in the mid-seventeenth century, the area forests were gradually cleared for farming. Today, a forest of pine and mixed hardwoods has reclaimed the landscape, and visitors can hike along three miles of trails that take in Carter Pond, the Rock House, Balance Rock, a butterfly garden, and stands of red pine and spruce.

Royalston Falls
Falls Road
Royalston, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

Concealed within a dense forest

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The rushing waters of Royalston Falls have carved a deep gorge out of granite. Here, Falls Brook plunges forty-five feet into a basin. In summer, ferns cling to the chasm's walls; in winter, freezing spray creates a fantastic landscape of ice. Upstream, the swirling brook has carved natural bridges through the bedrock. The wild and undisturbed appearance of the area today belies the landscape's history. For many years, the land was cleared and farmed, and during the 19th century, was also the site of town picnics and gatherings in the summer months.

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.

Swift River Reservation
Nichewaug Road
Petersham, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

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Swift River Reservation welcomes visitors with the opportunity to hike, mountain bike, cross-country ski, and horseback ride over 439 forested acres. Located where the East Branch of the Swift River links all three tracts of the river, the reservation’s natural features include extensive rocky ledges, ravines, open fields, a beaver-dammed swamp, vernal pools, and forest edges along woods roads. In the late 1700’s, much of the reservation was cleared for farms that were largely abandoned by the early 1900’s, and the forest returned only to be decimated by a major hurricane in 1938. Today most of the Reservation's mixed hardwood forest dates to this hurricane.

Tantiusques
Leadmine Road
Sturbridge, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

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Tantiusques preserves the site of one of New England's first mining operations. Before the arrival of European colonists, the Nipmuc mined graphite here for use in making ceremonial paints. In 1644, John Winthrop, Jr., son of the first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, purchased the mine and surrounding land from the Nipmuc and began the first commercial mining operation on the site. The mine's ownership passed to Boston merchant Frederick Tudor in 1828, who successfully mined graphite for over 25 years. Later mining attempts failed, however, and by 1910 all operations had ceased. Today, careful observers can see mine cuts, ditches, and tailings piles made by the various operations.

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
Mountain Road
Princeton, MA
Phone: 508-464-2987

Set on one of the highest peaks in the area, the reservation offers hiking and cross-country ski trails.

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

An artificial reservoir featuring bird watching, fishing areas, and walking trails. There is an admission fee.

Wells State Park
Route 49
Sturbridge, MA
Phone: 508-347-9257

This 1,470-acre park features hiking and cross-country ski trails, in addition to picnic areas. A visitors center offers park information and rest facilities.

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.

Dexter Drumlin
George Hill Road
Lancaster, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

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A favorite spot for winter sledding, Dexter Drumlin is maintained as a graceful, open meadow with lovely views of historic Lancaster and its surrounding farmland. A narrow mowed footpath traverses the crest of the hill and loops back along the stream to the entrance affording the visitor the opportunity to view grassland birds making use of the drumlin and the adjacent floodplain fields for nesting and raising their young.

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.

Doyle Reservation
Lindell Avenue
Leominster, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

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Pierce Park at the Doyle Reservation was part of a former turn-of-the-century grand estate featuring a twenty-nine-room stucco mansion with a ballroom and conservatory, a matching stable, extensive horse paddocks, Pierce Pond (across Merriam Avenue), and an extensive system of bridle paths through woodland and around the pond. Ten acres of the original landscaped grounds have been restored as a neighborhood park, and most of the trees and shrubs are from the estate's original design and plantings.

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.

Elliott Laurel
Route 101
Phillipston, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

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Once pastureland, Elliott Laurel is now a quiet woodland traversed by old stone walls. Its scenic foot trail crosses an open field before climbing a rocky hillside to a south-facing overlook, then leads gently through shaded woods dotted by white pines and hemlocks before descending past rock outcrops to a red maple swamp. The return leg of the trail passes thickets of spring-blooming mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) for which the Reservation is named. At peak in mid-June, the pink flower buds of mountain laurel gradually open to reveal brilliant white flowers, brightening the shady woodland floor.

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.

Fisher Museum of Forestry
Route 32
Petersham, MA
Phone: 508-724-3302

This unique museum focuses on the topography of New England's countryside and how it has been affected throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Hiking trails lead from the center out into the forest. There is an admission fee.

Jacobs Hill
Route 68
Royalston, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

Get back in touch with nature

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Visitors to Jacobs Hill can hike two miles of trails that closely track the ridgeline of the hill, passing through a forest of beech, maple, ash, and birch, and connecting two spectacular overlooks. Both trails take in impressive views of the forested slopes of Tully Mountain, Mount Grace, and the Berkshire Hills. Further south along the trail, a stream tumbles over the ridgeline, creating the dramatic Spirit Falls, and at the eastern edge of the Reservation lies the stream’s source: Little Pond, a classic northern bog.

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 offer 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.

North Common Meadow
Main Street
Petersham, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

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Once pastureland, the broad expanse of North Common Meadow now preserves the rural charm and character of Petersham Center. The upper meadow produces hay that is cut by a local farmer, and the lower meadow supports a variety of wildflowers and features a small lily-covered pond. From the field adjacent to the Petersham Historic Society building on Main Street, visitors can take in a sweeping view of Mount Wachusett. North Common Meadow is a part of the Petersham Historic District, designated a Local Historic District in 1966 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

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.

Peaked Mountain
Butler Road
Monson, MA
Phone: 978-840-4446

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From the 1,227-foot summit of Peaked Mountain, a panoramic view unfolds taking in Connecticut's Shenipsit State Forest to the south, Mount Monadnock to the north, and Mount Wachusett to the northeast. In between lies a sweep of rolling New England countryside with forested hills and ridges, valley farms, and small villages. The Valley View overlook provides views of nearby Boulder Hill and the City of Springfield to the west. Other trails at peaked Mountain encircle tranquil Lunden Pond, where visitors might glimpse beavers, herons, and other wildlife drawn to the quiet waters.

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation
Purgatory Road
Sutton, MA
Phone: 508-234-3733

This 900-acre park is set around a natural wonder, Purgatory Chasm. Hiking and cross-country ski trails lead up to and along the chasm. There are picnic areas and events scheduled throughout the year.

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

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Quabbin Reservoir is one of the largest man-made public water supplies in the United States. Created in the 1930s by the construction of two huge earthen dams, the reservoir is fed by the Swift River and the Ware River. The New Salem and Enfield lookouts offer magnificent views of the reservoir. The Quabbin Interpretive Services Program operates the Quabbin Visitor Center and provides general information. An automated telephone system - 413 323-7221 - provides 24 hour access to current information on fishing, hunting, programs, rules and regulations, and public access. Since this is a public drinking water supply, swimming, wading, and dogs are prohibited. Permitted uses are shoreline fishing, hiking, bicycling walking, bird watching, snowshoeing, hunting, with restrictions, and picnicking. Information: www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/quabbin.htm