Massachusetts - Central Massachusetts/Sturbridge

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

See Map

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

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.