MASSACHUSETTS - Berkshires/Pioneer Valley/Mohawk Trail

Located in the City of Westfield, Hampton Pond State Park offers water based recreation activities and picnicking.
Recreational opportunities: Beaches, Restrooms, boating (all types), boat ramp, canoeing, fishing, picnicking, swimming.

At 16,500 acres, October Mountain is the largest state forest in Massachusetts. Forty-seven 47 campsites dot a sunny hillside and offer a great base to explore this vast forest. Trails are available for every level of experience, and include the famous Appalachian Trail.
Recreational opportunities: Camping, non-motorized boating, boat ramp & public landing, fishing, hiking, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, off-road vehicles, skiing (cross-country), trailer / R.V. dumping, walking trails.
Boat ramps: Car top boating is available at Housatonic River (public access nearby at New Lenox Rd.), Buckley Dunton Reservoir and October Mountain Reservoir day-use area.

Robinson State Park is a major day use area for the Springfield region. A paved road that runs along the Westfield River creates access to the park for cars, foot traffic, bicycles, strollers, and wheelchairs leading to the swimming pond, playing fields, and picnic areas. About 20 miles of trails in the park are shared by walkers, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Many of them offer scenic views of the Westfield River.
Boat ramp: There is a launch area for canoes and kayaks.
Recreational opportunities: hiking trails, bicycling paths, canoeing, fishing, group day use, mountain biking, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), swimming, walking trails.

Within the rolling northern hardwood forests of Sandisfield State Forest is York Lake, featuring a popular day use area with a 300-foot beach for unguarded swimming, a picnic area and a boat launch ramp. York Lake is stocked with trout by Mass Wildlife three times each year. Other seasonal activities including walking and hiking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Hunters are also welcome (in season). The moderately difficult 2-mile Pond Loop Trail offers scenic views of the lake.
Sandisfield State Forest is open from sunrise to one half-hour after sunset, year-round. Facilities are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and a $5 parking fee applies. Parking is permitted only at designated areas. Unguarded Swimming is only available at York Lake designated beach area. Picnicking is available at York Lake day-use area. Please carry-in, carry-out all your trash and belongings.
Boat ramp: Ideal for kayaks, canoes and small sail boats, available at York Lake (ramp available), West Lake (no ramp) and Thousand Acre Swamp, Cookson State Forest (ramp available) day-use area.

Located south of the Millers River, Wendell State Forest covers 7,566 acres of rolling forested hills, streams, ponds, and trails. Ruggles Pond is the main day-use area. This 10 acre pond offers crystal clear water for swimming and fishing. Picnic sites and a ball field with a pavilion are located nearby. The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail traverses the forest boundaries and offers a small Adirondack shelter for trail users.
Boat ramp: There is a small boat launching ramp located at the Northern end of Wickett Pond.
Recreational opportunities: Boating, boat ramp, canoeing, fishing, group day use, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), swimming walking trails.

Fisherman access: Small concrete ramp, concrete pad ramp system or gravel ramp designed for smaller boats and parking for boat trailers. Fish species: Smallmouth bass, pickerel, black crappie. Managed by state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Beartown State Forest is open year-round. During the warm months Benedict Pond attracts swimmers, boaters, and fishermen. A network of trails on 12,000 acres offers visitors a chance to see animals, brooks, beaver ponds, forests, and fall foliage. Open in winter for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Hiking on the 1.5-mile Benedict Pond Loop Trail in any season. Year-round camping available. Park hours: Sunrise until sunset. Parking is $5 per vehicle, May through mid-October.
Boat ramp: Small concrete ramp, concrete pad ramp system or gravel ramp designed for smaller boats and parking for boat trailers. Fish species: Largemouth bass and pickerel.

One mile north of Hatfield Center. Shallow draft lightweight boats and canoes. Small concrete ramp, concrete pad ramp system or gravel ramp designed for smaller boats and parking for boat trailers. Fish species: Largemouth, smallmouth bass, northern pike white perch pickerel, black crappie, walleye. Part of the Connecticut River Greenway State Park. Managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

One mile north of Northfield Center on Route 63. Paved parking area and ramp. The boat ramp can accommodate canoes, fishing boats, recreational motorboats. Part of the Connecticut River Greenway State Park. Fish species: Largemouth, smallmouth bass, northern pike white perch pickerel, black crappie, walleye. Managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

One-half mile off Route 116 on Melina Street. Thirty-two parking spaces and a surfaced ramp. Shallow, moderate and deep draft recreational and fishing boats. Easy canoe and rowing shell access. Part of the Connecticut River Greenway State Park.

1.5 miles east of Turner’s Falls on Route 2. Paved parking and ramp. Recreational motorboats, canoes, fishing boats. Part of the Connecticut River Greenway State Park.

Take Route I-91 to exit 18 south on Route 5 in Easthampton. Thirty-five parking spaces and a paved ramp. Customary use by high powered recreational craft and larger fishing boats. Fish species: Largemouth, smallmouth bass, northern pike white perch pickerel, black crappie, walleye. Part of the Connecticut River Greenway State Park. Managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

This forest provides a variety of recreational pursuits including boating, swimming, and fishing at Laurel Lake; camping, picnicking, hunting, horseback riding and winter sports. The woodlands are interlaced by eight miles of forest roads, and numerous trails lead to points of scenic interest.
Boat ramp: Small concrete ramp; gravel ramp designed for smaller boats and parking for boat trailers. Fish species: trout, largemouth bass, pickerel,
Recreational opportunities: swimming, boating (all types), boat ramp, camping, canoeing, fishing, group day use, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), interpretive program, mountain biking, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), walking trails.