Berkshires and Pioneer Valley host padding, canoeing, kayaking adventures

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Hampton Ponds State Park

1048 North Road Westfield, MA Phone: 413-532-3985

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.

Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest

Route 8A Hawley, MA 01339 Phone: 413-339-5504

This 7,882-acre northern hardwood and spruce-fir forest offers 35 miles of mixed-use trails, six miles of hiking trails and one mile interpretive trail around Hallockville Pond. Discover an abundance of historic sites including cellar holes from the abandoned village of South Hawley; a fieldstone beehive charcoal kiln; and remains of mill complex. Open: year-round, sunrise to sunset. Access is free. Interior roads are in poor condition. Carry-in, carry-out all your belongings and trash. Snowmobiling: is available on 35 miles of trails, conditions permitting. Parking is available at King Corner garage on Route 8A. Prohibited: All-terrain vehicles and alcoholic beverages.
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Mohawk Trail State Forest

175 Mohawk Trail / Route 2 Charlemont, MA 01339 Phone: 413-339-5504

More than 6,000 acres of mountain ridges, deep gorges and tall old-growth trees support a diversity of plant and animal life. Fifty-six wooded campsites are available seasonally, and six overnight log cabins are available year-round.Discover miles of rivers and streams for excellent trout fishing, a swimming area, and a day-use picnic area. Open: Year-round, sunrise to sunset. A $5 fee per vehicle charged from May through mid-October. Camping season is mid-April through mid-October. Cabins are available year-round. Recreational vehicles are permitted on designated sites. Off-season camping is available. Pets are permitted on tent sites only, on leash. Motorized off-road vehicles prohibited.

Mount Everett State Reservation

Mount Everett Road Mount Washington, MA Phone: 413-528-0330

A cluster of parks noted for their spectacular scenery and stunning views The Dome of Mount Everett in this 1,356-acre state reservation. Seasonal road access and parking is available to the Guilder Pond day-use area. From there, a 0.75-mile path leads to the top of Mount Everett. At the 2,624-foot summit is a breathtaking panorama of Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. Picnicking is available at Guilder Pond which features a spectacular display of blooming mountain laurel and azalea in the spring. The Appalachian Trail winds its way along the ridgeline and through Sage's Ravine.
The park is open year-round, sunrise to sunset year-round. Access is free. Parking is permitted in designated areas only. No services are available. Carry-in, carry-out all belongings and trash. Never physically confront, feed, torment or throw anything at bears. Rattlesnakes reside here. Never approach, handle, provoke or move snakes. Take precautions to avoid ticks. Check for ticks at regular intervals. Pets are permitted. Must be on a 10-foot maximum leash. Motorized off-road vehicles and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Mount Tom State Reservation

125 Reservation Road Holyoke, MA Phone: 413-534-1186

Mount Tom boasts an unparalleled view of the Connecticut Valley north and south, the Berkshire mountains to the west and the Pelham hills to the east. This 2,082-acre facility offers 20 miles of hiking and walking trails; picnicking; canoeing and fishing on Lake Bray; and cross country skiing and ice skating in the winter; and a children's play area. Lake Bray is a small water body of less than 10 acres. The Oxbow, located two miles north of the Route 5 entrance to the park, is an alternative site for boating. This is one of New England’s best hawk watching spots.
Recreational opportunities: accessible fishing, accessible hiking trails, accessible vista, accessible restrooms, canoeing, group day use, picnicking, skiing (cross-country), visitors center, walking trails

October Mountain State Forest

Woodland Road Lee, MA Phone: 413-243-1778

At 16,500 acres, October Mountain is the largest state forest in Massachusetts. Visitors can camp, hike, and enjoy the outdoors while they visit nearby Tanglewood and other Berkshire Region points of interest. 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. One of the most scenic trails lead through Schermerhorn Gorge, a striking natural feature which has intrigued generations of geologists.
The forest is open from sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Access is free. Camping season is from mid-May through mid-October in designated campground only. RV size is restricted to 34 feet. No electric hook-ups available. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Don't forget you are in Black Bear country. Never physically confront, feed, torment or throw anything at bears. All Terrain Vehicles are permitted during daylight hours on designated trails only, from May 1 through last Sunday in November (call ahead for details). Snowmobiling is available on four-inch minimum hard-packed snow base.
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.

Pittsfield State Forest

1041 Cascade Street Pittsfield, MA Phone: 413-442-8992

Streams, waterfalls, and flowering shrubs abound in this forest. Wild azalea fields are a profusion of pink blossoms in June. The forest has two camping areas, two picnic areas, and a swimming beach. Fishermen frequent scenic Berry Pond. The vista from the top of Berry Mountain, accessible by auto road from April to December, is a striking panorama and a great place to watch the sun set. Balance Rock State Park is located in the northeast corner of Pittsfield State Forest. Here a huge 165-ton limestone boulder is balanced precariously upon bedrock, a natural curiosity.
Recreational opportunities: accessible hiking trails, accessible picnicking, accessible restrooms, accessible scenic vista, non-motorized boating, fishing, group day use, historic sites, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, nature & birding trails, off-road vehicles, skiing (cross-country), swimming, walking trails.
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Robinson State Park

462 North Street Feeding Hills, MA Phone: 413-786-2877

Robinson State Park serves as a major day use area for the Springfield region. A paved road that runs along the River’s edge creates access to the park available for cars, foot traffic, bicycles, strollers, and wheelchairs leading to the swimming pond, playing fields picnic areas and the launch area for canoeing and kayaking. 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.
Recreational opportunities: hiking trails, bicycling paths, canoeing, fishing, group day use, mountain biking, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), swimming, walking trails.

Sandisfield State Forest (York Lake)

York Lake Road Sandisfield, MA Phone: 413 229-8212

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.

Savoy Mountain State Forest

260 Central Shaft Road Florida, MA Phone: 413-663-8469

At Savoy Mountain State Forest, North and South Ponds offer tranquil places to fish, picnic and swim. Forty-five campsites and one group site are located in an old apple orchard. Four log cabins are available for year-round rental. Over 50 miles of wooded trails invite year-round recreational access to spectacular natural features. Spruce Hill on the Busby Trail has breathtaking views, especially during fall foliage and hawk migration. At Tannery Falls, Ross Brook flows through a deep chasm and cascades 50 feet to a clear pool below.
The park is open year-round, 8 a.m. to dusk. Parking fee of $5 is charged in summer at the at North Pond day-use area and for visitors to the campground. Camping season is from mid-May to mid-October. Off-season camping is available only at the four cabins. Reservations are suggested. Unguarded swimming is available at the North Pond day-use area. Pets are permitted, except on the beach area and in the cabins. Must be on a 10-foot maximum leash. Boat ramp: non-motorized boating is available at day-use area. Prohibited: Motorized off-road vehicles, alcoholic beverages, swimming or rock climbing at Tannery Falls area.
Recreational opportunities: camping, picnicking, restrooms, hiking trails, nonmotorized boating, boat ramp, canoeing, fishing, hiking, historic site, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, nature & birding trails, scenic viewing area, showers skiing (cross-country), swimming, walking trails.

Tolland State Forest

410 Tolland Road East Otis, MA Phone: 413-269-6002

The centerpiece of this state forest, located in the rolling southern Berkshire Hills, is the 1,065-acre Otis Reservoir. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities. A public boat launch ramp is available, popular with trout and bass fishermen. The campground is located on a scenic and wooded peninsula. A day-use area with sandy beach and several multi-use trails is available. Hunting is open (in season) for all types of game including turkey, bear, and deer.
Recreational opportunities: restrooms, boat ramp, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting (restrictions), interpretive program, mountain biking, off-road vehicles, picnicking, showers, skiing (cross-country), swimming, trailer / R.V. dumping, walking trails.

Wendell State Park

392 Montague Road Wendell, MA Phone: 413-659-3797

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. There is a small boat launching ramp located at the Northern end of Wickett Pond. The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail traverses the forest boundaries and offers a small Adirondack shelter for trail users.
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.

Windsor State Forest

1838 River Road Windsor, MA Phone: 413-684-0948

Windsor State Forest's cascading waterfall at Windsor Jambs stands out for its spectacular beauty. Windsor Jambs Brook plunges through a 25-foot-wide gorge, with 80-foot-high granite walls rising on either side; a beautiful and refreshing place to visit. The popular day-use area along the Westfield River offers a 100-foot sandy beach for swimming with wooded picnic sites. Twenty-four limited-service campsites are available (no showers or flush toilets). Trails and old dirt roads that wind through the "The Bush" are favored by hikers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobiles. Fishermen and hunters are also welcome.
Recreational opportunities: accessible restrooms, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, picnicking, scenic viewing area, skiing (cross-country), snowmobiling, swimming, walking trails.

Zoar Outdoor

Route 2 (Mohawk Trail) Charlemont, MA 01339 Toll-Free: 800-532-7483

We offer 1- to 7-day clinics for beginners to experts

Always wanted to learn to kayak, try rock climbing, practice your canoeing techniques or hone your whitewater skills? Zoar Outdoor, New England’s Leader in Outdoor Adventure, has assembled a team of friendly professional instructors with in-depth technical training and field experience to offer the best in outdoor adventure instruction. We offer 1- to 7-day clinics for beginners to experts from our base in southern New England.
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Brimfield State Forest

86 Dearth Hill Road Brimfield, MA Phone: 413-267-9687

This rolling, heavily forested property has over 20 miles of roads and trails and is used primarily for hiking, walking, horseback riding and fishing. Dean Pond Recreation Area, located in the western portion of Brimfield State Forest, has a pavilion, comfort station, 100 linear feet of beach and picnic facilities. The roads are popular for equestrian use and related special events. Accessible Restrooms. Recreational uses: fishing, group day use, horseback riding trails, hunting (with restrictions), mountain biking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, swimming, walking trails. Headquarters and Dean Pond Recreation Area are located off of Route 20 in south-central Mass

C.M. Gardner Park

Route 112 Huntington, MA Phone: 413-354-6347

C. M. Gardner State Park is located in the rolling Berkshire foothills along a scenic section of the Westfield River East Branch. In summer the sunlit mountain river here is a delightful spot to relax. A wooded picnic area is available on the banks of the river. The park is open from sunrise until sunset, year-round. A $2 fee per vehicle is charged from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Pets are permitted except on the beach area. Boating: a canoe launch area is available.

Chester-Blandford State Forest

Route 20 Chester, MA Phone: 413-354-6347

Chester-Blandford State Forest offers a rustic park experience and spectacular Sanderson Brook Falls. Boulder Park features an easy interpretive trail and pavilion. Hike up an easy grade for a mile to see the cascade at Sanderson Brook Falls; hike the Newman Marsh Memorial Trail to the top of Observation Hill. Forest is open year-round, sunrise to sunset. Access is free. Limited number RV sites. Carry-in, carry-out all trash. Be aware of bears. Pets permitted on a leash. Motorized off-road vehicles prohibited. Swimming prohibite at Sanderson Brook Falls. Recreational uses: fishing, hiking, horseback riding trails, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, walking trails.

Clarksburg State Park

1199 Middle Road Clarksburg, MA Phone: 413-664-8345

Park has areas for canoeing, swimming, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and public camping. Great for viewing fall foliage.

Connecticut River Greenway State Park

136 Damon Road at Route 9 Northampton, MA Phone: 413-586-8706, ext. 12

The Connecticut River Greenway connects open spaces, parks, scenic vistas, and archaeological and historic sites along the length of the Connecticut River as it passes through the state. There are over 12 miles of permanently protected shoreline, and numerous access points to the river (listed below). Several larger properties such as Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation, Norwottuck Rail Trail, and the Great Falls Discovery Center (located in Turner's Falls) provide added visitor amenities.
Park Map
River Access Points:
Pauchaug, Northfield: one mile north of Northfield Center on Route 63. Paved parking area and ramp. The boat ramp can accommodate canoes, fishing boats, recreational motorboats.
Barton Cove, Gill: 1.5 miles east of Turner’s Falls on Rte 2. Paved parking and ramp. Recreational motorboats, canoes, fishing boats.
Sunderland: canoe and fishing access managed by the town of Sunderland. At the end of School Street on the north side of Sunderland Bridge. Limited parking.
Hatfield: one mile north of Hatfield Center. Shallow draft lightweight boats and canoes.
Elwell Recreation Area, Northampton: Damon Road at Route 9 and I-91. Canoe and rowing access only. Paved access ramp to a wheelchair accessible dock on the river. Limited parking.
Oxbow Ramp, Easthampton: 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.
South Hadley/Chicopee Boat Access: James Street at the South Hadley/Chicopee town line downstream from the Holyoke Dam. Six to eight parking spaces and gravel ramp. Shallow draft fishing boats. Popular during shad fishing season.
Chicopee Boat Access, Chicopee: 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.
D-G top of listings

D.A.R. State Forest

Route 112 Goshen, MA Phone: 413-268-7098

This public forest includes Upper and Lower Highland Lakes, with a swimming beach, picnic area, and group picnic pavilion. There are 15 miles of mixed-use trails through the forest. The campground offers 51 wooded campsites with showers and a private beach. Wheelchair accessible campsites available. Summer activities include: paddling, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Winter activities are ice fishing, skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Open: year-round, sunrise until sunset. A $5 fee per vehicle from Memorial Day through mid-September. Camping from mid-May through mid-October. Off-season camping October through April. All facilities accessible to handicapped. Guarded Swimming is available at the day-use area. Unguarded swimming is available at campers-only beach. Pets are permitted except on the sandy beach area. Non-motorized boating is available. Snowmobiling is available, conditions permitting. Parking at day-use area parking lot off Route 112.

Erving State Forest

Laurel Lake Road Erving, MA

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.
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