Spencer State Forest

51 Howe Rd.

Spencer
508 886-6333

Spencer State Forest, a 965-acres area provides swimming and picnicking facilities on Howe Pond. Other activities offered at Spencer include fishing, canoeing, hiking, Nordic skiing and snowmobiling. The Midstate Trail, a long-distance hiking trail that extends through central Massachusetts to Mt. Watatic in the north, runs close to the park.

Trail Map
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Park Directions

The Forest is located off of Rte 31 in mid-central Massachusetts.  

From the East/Boston/Southeast:

• Take MASS PIKE West (Rte. I-90W) to Exit #10 in Auburn.
• Take Rte 20 West to Rte 56 North.
• Take a right onto Rte 56N to Rte 9 in Leicester center.
• Take a left onto Rte 9 West & follow to Rte 31 in Spencer center.
• Take a left onto Rte 31 South..
• Follow Rte 31 S for 1.5 miles to Howe Rd.
• Take a right onto Howe Rd & follow for 1.2 miles to recreation area.

From Southwest:

• Take MASS PIKE (Rte. I-90) east to exit # 9 in Sturbridge.
• Follow Rte 20 East to Rte. 49 North.
• Take a left onto Rte. 49 N to STOP at Rte 9 in Spencer.
• Take a right onto Rte 9 East to Rte 31 in Spencer Center.
• Take a right onto Rte 31 South & follow 1.5 miles to Howe Rd.
• Take a right onto Howe Rd & follow for 1.2 miles to recreation area.

From Worcester:

• Take 290 West to Exit # 18 or Rte 290 East to Exit #17, Rte 9.
• Take Rte 9 West to set of lights at Park Ave.
• Take a left at lights, staying on Rte 9W.
• Follow Rte 9W through Worcester & Leicester to Rte 31 in Spencer.
• Take a left onto Rte 31 South & follow Rte 31 S for 1.5 miles to Howe Rd.
• Take a right onto Howe Rd & follow for 1.2 miles to recreation area. 

From the Northeast:

• Take Rte 495 South to Rte 290 West.
• Follow Rte 290W to Exit #18 in Worcester, Rte 9.
• Follow Rte 9 West to set of lights at Park Ave.
• Take a left at lights, staying on Rte 9 W.
• Follow Rte 9W through Worcester & Leicester to Rte 31 in Spencer.
• Take a left onto Rte 31 South & follow Rte 31 S for 1.5 miles to Howe Rd.
• Take a right onto Howe Rd & follow for 1.2 miles to recreation area.

From the Northwest:

• Take Rte 2 east, to exit #22 in Gardner, Rte 68.
• Take Route 68 South for 10 miles through Hubbardston and into Rutland.
• Turn right onto Rte 56 South. 
• Follow 56S for 4 miles to STOP sign in Rutland center.
• Turn left, then take a quick right, staying on Rte 56S.
• Follow Rte 56 S into Paxton Center.
• Bear right onto Rte 31 South & go straight thru the light in the center of Paxton.
• Follow Rte 31 S to Spencer Center. Take a left & then a right staying on Rte 31S.
• Take a right onto Howe Rd & follow for 1.2 miles to recreation area.