I seriously love this place. I've been coming to Ashley for the past 12 years to walk and enjoy nature. Great place to go for a run or a nice stroll. Side note--Recently my brother's gotten into bird watching and was able to spot FIFTEEN new (to him) birds which he was hyped about. That being said, there are some spots throughout the year I would avoid as it's where the geese lay their eggs. read more

Ashley Reservoir - Hiking Near Me

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This is relatively flat, but it was a good little hike that's pretty easy. When I was there, there were hundreds of Canada geese, so I thought that was pretty neat. It's not really challenging as far as getting a good workout, but it was all right. It's pretty. read more

From the 1/2 Way to St. Patricks Day road race to Jacks Walk this is truly a great place for any occasion. So many people were out and about over the weekend enjoying the first sunny day in a week. Seen a few people bring dogs in which is a no no so leave your loved ones at home if you have never been. There are clearly marked signs so don't be that person who gets fined $300 for your inability to follow instructions. Parking is hit or miss, there is plenty of it but you may need to park in the overflow lot where you enter. read more

Ashley Reservoir - 5/6/23 - Hiking Near Me

Highly recommend. Path is wide enough for walkers, runners, and bikers to share the space. The loop around the reservoir is a little over 4 miles. However there are options to a shorter loop. I went around 5pm. Passed several people. More than 50% of the pass was shaded at this time. Plenty of parking at the elks. read more

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This reservoir is a true gem and one of the most gratifying easy walks around. You can adapt the loop to your time frame and ability. Great for biking too. There are ducks, lily pads, and there have been black bears sited. A super quiet escape from the city. I've walked here in summer and winter and always find joy here. read more

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I absolutely, positively recommend coming here if you want to embrace your inner hippie and take in nature's full beauty. What an incredible spot for pictures and of course; hiking! Maybe it's because I'm a Florida girl and all I'm use to seeing is the beach, swamp, and alligators, but I can't get over how scenic Ashley reservoir is. I really do think that no matter where you originally are from, you'll enjoy coming here. P.S. - I think bike riding here would be incredible too read more

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When visiting my friend in the Holyoke, MA area, we decided to take a hike at Ashley Reservoir and it was a great decision! After a short drive, we parked in the parking lot and walked through the gate (one of several), then walked down a gravel path lined on both sides with pretty, green trees! After a 5 minute walk, we started to see the water of the reservoir and with the sun, it was a beautiful sight! Please see my pictures. Once we got to the water, there were several paths we could take. We chose the one to the right because it went around a smaller portion of the reservoir, but it still took over an hour to walk around that portion. Beautiful place to take a walk or run or bike ride. (No dogs allowed). As for wildlife, we saw many turtles, fish, and birds. Check it out if you're in town. Xie Xie!! read more

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It's getting 2 stars because it has become as over crowed as a Boston area campground. It's worse during covid. It used to be a peaceful place but not anymore. read more

Ashley Reservoir - Hiking Near Me

Can't take your dogs there even though it is suggested by Yelp to do so. Was very disappointed when I drove all the way there because Yelp suggested it and there were giant ass signs stating dogs prohibited , wish I could get my gas money back read more

Absolutely beautiful spot to walk! Mostly flat and either paved or loose gravel for footing. Lots of opportunities to see wildlife in the water as well as around the area. Very cool to visit throughout the seasons to see the different changes. read more

Ashley Reservoir - Small stream connecting to the reservoir - Hiking Near Me

What an incredible outdoor park situated between three different lakes with biking, jogging and walking trails throughout the entire area, this place is simply beautiful with many wooded as well as open trails to traverse. This is not a picnic spot because of the reservoir but don't miss the opportunity to visit and observe the very best that nature has to offer. read more

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My friend and her husband always talk about this place, and I finally got a chance to go. I see why they like to go as often as they do! (They go about 4 times a week!) Ashley Reservoir is a beautiful place tucked away in Holyoke. It has a nice path in which you can walk, jog or bike. The path is about a 4 mile loop that goes around the reservoir. Along the way you will see lots of wild life. There were a few different groups of geese and their ducklings. This was also a great place for watching birds too. Such as a red wing black bird and a cow head bird. Off the beaten path you will also see snakes. My friends husband has a keen eye for these things and can easily name different animal species (why I know all the names!) and he found water snake, garter snake and a ribbon snake. You can also see turtles, snapping turtles, rabbits and much much more! I just wish they had benches around the reservoir as it would be a perfect place to relax with a book. :) read more

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Best Kept Secret Walk-About. This park offers a great walk, run & bike about. Ducks and Geese. Very clear water and fish. The tall pines that surround the reservoir make it pop. The parking is very tight but I see it's the norm to park on RT 202. This is must go-to spot for all. read more

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This is my favorite place in all the lands of Holyoke. You can leave any stress that built up during the day behind, get in a 3 or 4 mile loop (sometimes during high rain or early spring, one of the paths through the water does get flooded, though, as it's very close to the water) and leave feeling great about life. There are quite a few organized races here throughout the year if cotton tshirts souvenirs are your thing, people are friendly, it's lush and beautiful, you get to see deer and beavers and turtles and all kinds of birds... how can you not love it? If you're there around sunset, be prepared to be wowed. The one drawback is that sometimes the Canadian geese (of which there are a lot in the summer when they're all back in town from their winter vacays) can be total hissing jerks to you. Especially during cute-little-goslings-everywhere season. Not even hissing birds can make this not be a five-star, wonderful place for a walk, run or bike, though! read more

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Great area to walk/hike. Very scenic and remote. This was very easy to get to. Great for all ages! read more

One of my favorite places in western MA. I live in the city, so finding a place like this that isn't too far from me, where I can go and enjoy a really beautiful area while I walk or run or bike, is a real blessing. No matter what time of year you go, Ashley Reservoir is gorgeous, and I find a new surprise every time I go. Adorable goslings, a fawn swimming across the water, a river otter that followed us as he swam, a loon, hawks, turtles...you never know what you'll see! And there are several different loops you can take, so whether you're in the mood for a half-mile stroll along the water or a five-mile jog around the whole reservoir, you'll be satisfied either way. read more

Ashley Reservoir - Hiking Near Me

Very peaceful & well kept. Perfect spot to take a walk, jog or stroll with little ones

What a beautiful place to walk in the early morning it's just gorgeous ! I love Ashley Reservoir

This place is lovely for a morning hike with children. We were on a road trip down to NY and we needed to stretch our legs. I am glad we did :) read more

Ashley Reservoir - Beautiful place for a hike - Hiking Near Me

Beautiful! Great places to take a walk with kids as well. We did a small loop (1.5 miles) but there is a much larger route that is around 4 miles long! There were baby geese everywhere. A hidden gem. read more

Ashley Reservoir - Hiking Near Me

Parking Update: As of 6.13.2019 the parking lot is still closed which is stupid. But I found better parking at Lower Westfield Rd and Richard Eger Dr. (42.172634, -72.654585) as it takes you directly into the better part of the trail bypassing the boring entrance. It's a dead end street that is parked with visitors so you don't have to park in front of someone's property. read more

A beautiful location for walking or running. Lots of wildlife to see. Stay away from the geese when the goslings are young. I've been coming here for years. Each season has its own beauty. My favorite would be fall when the beautiful New England foliage reflects in the water so it's an explosion of color. Dirt paths are easier on the joints than road or side walk running. Always lots of others around so I've never felt unsafe. This is a great place in western mass that we are so lucky to have. read more

Idk if this is the same place im thinking of, but if its one the side of the road on the way to Westfield, then it is. I went with my friend once back in 2010 or 2011. It is beautiful and has a long thin trail out on the water people hike down the trail and its simmilair to Quabbin read more

Gorgeous scenery and a pleasant safe place to take a walk in. My son and I like to bring bread up to feed the huge flocks of geese and ducks. It's one of the few places in holyoke that feels safe to enjoy. read more

Ashley Reservoir is one of my favorite areas to walk, job or run at any time of the year. Recently, I have been taking my nephew for bike rides. I usually enter through the Whitney Ave entrance and park at the Elks Club. The trail is well marked. There are three trails that all start at the same point and end at the same point but, one is about a mile one about 2 and the longest about three miles. They all look around the reservoir pond which adds another dimension of beauty. During different seasons, I enjoy noticing the different plants and flowers. I can not decide which time of the season it is most beautiful because it is always gorgeous. It is also a great place to look for some wild life. Over the years, I seen birds, ducks, geese, rabbit, I have also seen turtles, a hawk and once a garden snake...highly recommend it. read more

This park is fan-freaking-tastic. Come here to run, walk, bike, or in the winter to x-county ski. No dogs, boating, fishing or swimming allowed. (You will see dogs anyway, but come ON people, this is our water supply, please obey the no dogs bit? Others are correct that this is not well marked if you come in from one of the side entrances.) You can hear the highway in the distance, and sometimes see the F-15s of the local 104th Fighter Wing practicing overhead, but once you're out on the earthen berms between the different reservoirs, you'll feel like you're miles from town. It's great for walking loops of various sizes, the biggest is about 5 miles. Enjoy! read more

Absolutely beautiful place to take a walk. Only downside is that dogs are not allowed. It is a shame that individuals who don't clean up after their pets ruin a location for the responsible ones. And yes it is patrol ed so if you bring a pet you will get ticketed. read more

This is a very clean and easy walking area. The reservoir was scenic and the walking areas were paved. But the geese in the area are a problem, we were chased by several as we tried to walk by but other than that no problems. read more

I just went to the Ashley Reservoir for the first time. What a beautiful place, hidden away. I didn't know all that nature was tucked back there on the other side of the gate. It feels beautifully apart from the rest of the world. Tonight I saw fish, geese, ducks, a loon, and a beaver. Now that I've read other people's reviews, I'm going to be looking for the animals they saw, too. The causeways that run through the reservoir are neat-- you can walk out with water on both sides of you, and being so low to the water is excellent for skipping stones. It would be nice if there were some trash cans-- the only one I saw was at the gate, and I picked up some litter and had to hold onto it for quite a while. Given that there aren't trash cans, though, it's surprisingly clean. read more

Yay! Love this place. I run here often, and walk with friends, too. So pretty. No litter -- people are respectful. It's well maintained. Just a lovely asset to the area. :) read more

This reservoir is absolutely breath taking. I was literally speechless as we came around the corner for a Mommy Baby stroller walk and were faced by a serene expanse of water and green foliage. The gravel path is easy to pass even with a regular stroller. The trails are wide and the area is not too busy but certainly not desolate. There are apparently bears spotted in the area, but I feel that we forget when we visit nature sometimes we'll run into nature and that is just part of the experience, whether it is in a slightly dangerous way or not. I highly recommend this walk which is about 4.2miles from the Elks lodge parking lots but trails can be selected for a shorter trip if needed. Beautiful scenery, nice layout, easy for running or walking. read more

Great easy place to walk around and enjoy the scenery. Very easy trail, with lots of ducks. Easy for walking or running.

Great place for a walk, jog, run or bike ride. We realized 2 miles into our walk that we were the only people there with dogs.. that is because dogs are NOT allowed.. still a cool place read more

Great place to get you five miles in! It's lovely all year round.

One of my favorite walks in the Valley! You can walk the whole way around, which takes about an hour, or do the shorter loop, which only takes about 20 minutes or so. read more

I love this place and you will too. You can't believe you are in Holyoke. It is hidden away, serene and beautiful, a secret treasure, except you share this one. If you like to walk. stroll or run, there is no better place to do so in nature. The wild flowers are stunning, but watch out for poison ivy if you veer off the trails. Enjoy the wild life, and honor it. In other words, keep a good distance between you and the geese. This is the closest you will every come to walking on water. read more