Sawmill Road, Paxton
508 792-3969

A peaceful 400-acre retreat in the heart of central Massachusetts, Moore was the site of grist and saw mills from 1747 through the early part of this century. It then became a private estate. What remains today is the best of both: stone mill foundations, a restored sawmill, and mountains of glorious rhododendrons, azaleas and mountain laurel. The flowers cascade down hills, line wooded paths and decorate waterfalls.

The power of falling water was early New England's primary energy source. Turkey Hill Brook, dropping 90 feet in less than a quarter mile, was a good mill site, and as many as five separate mills may have been built here. The remnants of the mill-village at Moore give a glimpse of the old rural manufacturing economy which was displaced by the industrial developments of the nineteenth century.

Trail Map
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Park Directions
Moore State Park is located in mid-central Massachusetts.

FROM THE NORTHEAST

• Take Rte 2W
• Rte 2 to Rte. 190 toward Worcester
• Take exit 5   (Route 140)
• Rte 140 N. to traffic light.  Take a left
• Follow to the end and take a right toward Holden
• Follow to the end and take a left (this is Rte. 31)
• Follow Rte 31S through Holden center  (crossing Rte 122A) through Paxton center (intersection of Rtes. 31, 122, and 56)
• Follow Rte 31South 1 ¼  mile to the Moore State Park entrance on the right

or

• Rte 495S to Rte 290 West
• Take Exit 18 and go right
• At 2nd set of lights take a right and go up the hill between the old Courthouse and the Auditorium.
• Go straight through every intersection, following the Worcester Airport signs, which will get you onto Rte 122N at Tatnuck Square.
• Go past the Airport entrance and continue on Rte 122 to Paxton Center (just a few miles)
• At the center go left onto Rte. 31S. (intersections of Rtes. 122, 31 and 56)
• Moore State Park entrance is 1 ¼ miles on the right

FROM THE NORTHWEST

• Rte 2E to Rte 32S to Rte 122S to Paxton Center (inters. of Rtes. 122, 31, & 56)
• Go right on Rte. 31S, Moore State Park entrance is 1 ¼ miles on the right

FROM THE SOUTHWEST

• Mass Pike east to the Sturbridge exit
• Take Rte 20E to Rte 49N
• Follow Rte 49 to Rte 9 in Spencer
• Go to Spencer center and take a left onto Rte. 31N
• Follow Rte. 31N into Paxton, watch for lead in sign, Moore State Park entrance will be on your left

FROM THE PIKE

• Take Auburn exit and get on Rte 20W
• Take Rte. 20W to Rte. 56 North
• Take right Rte. 56N through Leicester center (you’ll cross Rte 9 and continue on 56N)
• Rte 56 will come to a T at Rte. 122 in Paxton
• Take a left on 122/56 and continue 1 mile to Paxton center
• Center is intersections of Rte 122, Rte 31 and Rte 56
• Take a left onto Rte 31S
• Moore State Park entrance is 1 ¼ miles south on Rte 31