This is one of my absolute favorite places to hike! The trail around the main pond is very easy and…read morea very short hike. There are also a few places that have picnic table sites for you to grill at! I always notice people fishing, and I see people in the water with their inflatables. There are a few other trails to hike, which I highly recommend! The birding here is also fantastic. This place is magical!! Bring the pups! .... One last thought, just be aware that service is very patchy here!

Gorgeous lake and nature trails in a scenic, quiet, rural area. Nature-filled beauty! Picnic tables…read moreare great and often busy on holidays/weekends. I love this serene, beautiful place!

What an enjoyable time we had strolling around the park on a gorgeous autumn day…read more We found our way to the hiking trail which was predominantly flat and low impact, just beware of the occasional tree root. We walked over a wooden bridge and followed the gray trail through the woods next to the Westfield River. The park wasn't too crowded, and we marveled at just how beautiful and peaceful and quiet the woods were. We also saw a gorgeous meadow with half a dozen pedestal grills, just perfect for picnics and family gatherings. We also saw a small strip of sand that was actually a beach!! Somewhere along the hike, we got our lower legs and sneakers covered in prickly stickers, so be careful where you walk. Those suckers were hard to dislodge!!

Not a fan. I went around 2 pm and spent 3 hours here. The dirt paths are short. I did a few loops…read more The road and pathway was closed just past the pond. Also didn't help I didn't have cell service in the park. So trying to find a decent trail to walk was impossible. Maybe better if the road was open past the pond. ‍ I won't be back here. I'd rather go back to the Ashley reservoir.

I love love love this particular hike. I would characterize the trails as intermediate with rocky…read moreareas that require you to pay close attention to what you are doing. The trails are clearly marked but I recommend you take a photo of the smaller trail maps posted throughout the mountain for reference. Because the area is so large with many loop- arounds, having a map photo will prove very helpful. There area several areas near the top with beautiful scenic overlooks you just won't want to miss. This is a dandy hike!

This is a beautiful mountain not far from the Connecticut border. We've been here a few times since…read morediscovering it and really enjoy it. It's a gradual incline at first but still gives you a good workout and is steeper then it looks! Down the road there is another little preserve area with a lake that is perfect for an easy run without too much hill. Very beautiful area and perfect for a late summer and/or fall hike!

Skinner State Park really surprised me. The drive up was beautiful and the view at the top over the…read morePioneer Valley made me stop and just take it in. I also liked reading about the old Mt. Holyoke Summit House and the incline railway that used to bring people up the mountain. I'm a sucker for places with a bit of history mixed in with the views And of course I loved seeing it with our friends we met on a cruise 24 years ago!

Iconic set of rolling wooded hills over looking the Connecticut River and surrounding lowlands…read more Skinner State Park is approximately 3,000 acres once privately owned now overseen by the Mass DCR. There are an intertwining network of trails from the base, along the ridge, and through the wooded parkland. Bring a GPS and trail maps are available at the gates and in the Summit House. This was my first time hiking here. A life long buddy & hiking pal encouraged me to join him. He was excited to try out his new hip on some varying terrain. He drove in from Vermont, me from CT. Both of us aging (gracefully) we each used an adjustable pair hiking sticks, which did come in handy both ascending and descending the hills. We found the trails were all very well maintained and well traveled. There's a system of trail markers and blazes to follow. Keep in mind bikes and horse are allowed, so hikers, keep your eye open and give way to wheels & hooves. The Summit House does have access too by vehicle, but (!) parking is very limited up top and DRC Rangers control traffic flow. We parked very close to Hockanum Road (Rte 47) and hiked up. Views at the Summit House stunning 360 degrees. If the House is open (seasonally) take time to tour the former residence and Lodge. View from the House decks are even better. My foot recently repaired foot & my buddies new hip passed the test!

I really really love the lake it is so cool i go. Sking and I am very excited to get back there to…read morego swing sking and tubing their

I've been boating on this lake for 13 years, and yes--I can pronounce its full name, one of the…read morelongest place names in the world: Chargoggagoggmanchauggagaugchaubunagungamaugg. It's quite a mouthful! Purportedly the largest natural lake in Massachusetts, it's only about three miles long and one mile wide, which perhaps says more about Massachusetts lakes than it does this one. Still, it's a terrific local destination. The lake has a couple of marinas, three waterfront restaurants accessible by boat, a town beach with restrooms and a snack bar, and the popular Indian Ranch entertainment venue, which also includes an RV campground and the newer and quite good Samuel Slater's Restaurant. The lake offers something for almost everyone: fishing, swimming, boating, tubing, water skiing (there's even a water ski club), kayaking, and enough open water for all of those activities to coexist somewhat comfortably. Weekdays are wonderfully peaceful, making it easy to find a quiet cove or enjoy a leisurely cruise. Summer weekends, however, are another story. When the weather is hot, the lake becomes a very busy place. There are at least three eagle nests on the lake and one gas station. Unfortunately the gas station is currently closed. Dock space is in high demand, with waiting lists at the marinas. Development around the shoreline has steadily increased over the years. While a few natural stretches remain, nearly every buildable lot has been developed, and many of the original seasonal cottages have been replaced by sprawling year-round waterfront homes. I'm very fortunate to have this lake just a few minutes from home--and even more fortunate that I can usually enjoy it during the week, when the crowds are at work.

Great place for a great hike and sweat. Also a nice cold stream to cool down. Will be my go to…read moreplace when I am nearby. Loved it

really nice camping spot. Different from what I was used too with the reservation I had which was a…read morefield campsite on the wolf den. However it was filled with families and couples alike. Nice hiking trails clean bathrooms/showers multiple sightings of deer, found a couple turtles . Cheap fire wood and convenient that it's only 15 minutes from essential business like food,superstores, etc. there was food and gas closer by too. Also the park ranger who I didn't catch his name but I wish I did (he wore a white hat), was super helpful and gave me his personal fishing spot nearby which was really cool and uncommon from another fisherman. I won't name his spot cause I have manners. But all around looking forward to my return in a few weeks.

We've hiked here many times and enjoy the lake trail which encircles most of the lake. There used…read moreto be a bridge allowing easy access across one end of the lake, but that is gone, and it's a long hike to make it all the way around. There also a dam at one end, and beautiful views of the lake. The lake is 200 acres, and the park includes 24 campsites, a boat launch, picnic tables and shelters, an 18-hole disc golf course, miles of trails, boating, hunting, and fishing. The lake purportedly offers largemouth and smallmouth bass, pickerel, perch, carp, and sunfish. The trails are now nicely marked, thanks to an Eagle Scout project by Giovanni Couture, Troop 66 in May 2022. The project also added benches with views of the lake. The footing can be a little challenging with rocks, roots, downed trees, etc. In the fall, the fallen leaves can make it even trickier, and quite slippery when wet. This is a very pleasant park to visit, hike, or fish. There has always been ample parking when we visited, and I think swimming is prohibited.

Love walking on this trail! It's very peaceful and calm, just make sure to stay to the side when…read morebikers are passing. Lots of people tend to walk on this path and the path extends pretty far which is nice.

This was a great day and a fun trail. Not too crowded on the day that I went. People are pretty…read morerespectful to stay in their lanes and not wandering all over. Electric bikes, and some gas powered scooters were on the trail exceeding safe limits. This is the only issue I had with the trail. 11 1/2 miles each way. I started at the Belchertown trailhead. Approximately 30 spots for parking and maybe a few along the street. There's also random parking along the trail and some of the smaller towns. There is a cute stop along the trail for refreshments/food. That's about the 4 mile mark.