Self-Guided Family Hikes in Western MA

Pittsfield State Forest

1041 Cascade St. Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 442-8992

Streams, waterfalls and flowering shrubs abound in Pittsfield State Forest. 65 acres of wild azalea fields are a profusion of pink blossoms in June. The forest has two camping areas and two picnic areas. Fishermen frequent scenic Berry Pond, one of the highest natural water bodies in the state at 2,150 feet in elevation. 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.

30 miles of trails encourage visitors to escape into the quiet of the state forest which follows the crest of the Taconic Mountain Range separating Massachusetts and New York. Access is available at several locations to the Taconic Crest Trail a 35 mile long hiking trail. The paved three-quarter mile Tranquility Trail is popular with wheelchair-users and other visitors who favor its smooth surface. A wheelchair-accessible picnic area and restroom are located nearby.

Nearby 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.

ATV and Motorcycle Permit Information for 2010

DCR offers a limited All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Off Highway Motorcycle (OHM) trail system at Pittsfield State Forest for the 2011 season.  Approximately 20 miles of trails was closed to OHVs in 2010 to protect resources regulated under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, (M.G.L. c. 131A).  Approximately 14 miles of trails will open for ATV and OHM use beginning Saturday, May 28, 2011.  In the interest of public safety, DCR has instituted a required trail permit for ATV and OHM users of Pittsfield State Forest ATV/OHM trails.  This process is intended to ensure that overuse of the limited trail system does not present a safety risk to motorized or non-motorized users of the trails.

For more information please visit the DCR’s Off Highway vehicle page or call (413)499-5112.

Campground Map

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Trail Maps

Summer Use             Winter Use

Summer Detail          Winter Detail

Tranquility Trail - Wheelchair Accessible Self-Guided Tour

Things to know before you go…

• The forest is open from sunrise until 8PM, year-round. A $2 parking fee per vehicle is charged from early May to early September. Parking is free for ParksPass holders, vehicles with Handicapped, disabled veteran plates/placard, and seniors 62 and above with the Massachusetts Senior Pass.

• Camping season is from mid-May to mid-October. Berry Pond campground offers 13 rustic campsites atop Berry Mountain; campers need to bring drinking water into these sites, bring containers. Parker Brook campground, at the mountain's base, offers 12 sites with flush toilets. Nearby, Bishop Field also has 6 open-field sites. Showers are not available. Reservations are recommended. Campground office hours are 8am-10pm.

• Group Camping: 2 sites are available. Bishop Field site accommodates 20 people and Lulu Brook site accommodates 50.

• Boating: Non-motorized car top boating is available at Berry Pond. Stop aquatic hitchhikers; please ensure that your boat and equipment are clean before launching.

• Be Bear Aware: Don't forget you are in Black Bear country. Never physically confront, feed, torment or throw anything at bears. Take appropriate precautions with food so as not to attract bears.

• Seasonal Interpretive Program: Available mid-June through mid-September. Call for details.

• Picnicking: Visitors can picnic at Lulu Brook or Parker Brook.

• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on all state lands.

• Ski Lodge: the rustic 1936 CCC-built lodge is available for events. Accommodates 75. Call for details.

• All Terrain Vehicles: ATV parking is prohibited at Lulu Brook Day Use Area. Parking is available at Balance Rock State Park and Potter Mt. Road. On-road parking is prohibited. If camping, ATVs must be on a trailer or a vehicle at all times. ATV use on trails is limited (see Summer Use trail map). Riding on park roadways is prohibited.

• Snowmobiling is available, conditions permitting (4-inch minimum hard-packed snow base).

• Buses are not permitted beyond Lulu Brook day-use area.

Park Directions

Pittsfield State Forest is located in the central Berkshires in western Massachusetts.

From East or West/MassPike (I-90): Take Exit 2 in Lee and follow U.S. Rte. 20 west for 11 miles to downtown Pittsfield. Turn left at lights, continue on U.S. Rte 20 west for 2.2 miles. Turn right on to Hungerford Avenue, continue for 0.2 mile, then bear left onto Fort Hill Avenue and continue for 1 mile. Turn left onto West Street. Continue for 0.2 mile, and turn right onto Churchill Street, and continue for 1.7 miles to Cascade Street. Turn left and follow the brown lead-in signs to the park. If you reach Dan Casey Memorial Drive (on your right) you have gone too far.

From the West/Rte. 20: Follow U.S. Rte. 20 from the New York-Massachusetts state line for 5 miles to Hungerford Avenue. Turn left, continue for 0.2 mile, then bear left onto Fort Hill Avenue, and continue for 1 mile. Turn left onto West Street. Continue for 0.2 mile, and turn right onto Churchill Street, and continue for 1.7 miles to Cascade Street. Turn left and follow the brown lead-in signs to the park.

From North or South/Rte. 7: Follow U.S. Route 7 to U.S. Route 20 West. Turn right on to Hungerford Avenue, continue for 0.2 mile, then bear left onto Fort Hill Avenue, and continue for 1 mile. Turn left onto West Street. Continue for 0.2 mile, and turn right onto Churchill Street, and continue for 1.7 miles to Cascade Street. Turn left and follow the brown lead-in signs to the park.

Recreational Vehicle Route: Clearance at Hungerford Ave. bridge is 12 ft. Follow this alternative route.

From East or West/MassPike (I-90): Take Exit 2 in Lee and follow U.S. Rte. 20 west for 11 miles to downtown Pittsfield. At lights, keep left, and turn left onto U.S. Rte. 20 west for 0.1 mile, keep right, and turn right onto Center Street. Continue for 0.1 mile and turn left at lights onto West Street. Drive 0.1 mile to the next intersection turn left, and continue to follow West Street for 2.1 miles to Churchill Street. Turn right onto Churchill Street and continue for 1.7 miles to Cascade Street, turn left and follow the brown lead-in signs to the park.