Plan your visit
Restrooms – plan in advance as restrooms are not/may not be available at each site
Parking –parking may be limited, sites fill quickly, consider visiting during the weekday (if possible) or consider arriving earlier or later in the day, be mindful of sunset ( it gets dark earlier as the fall progresses)
Parking Fees -parking fees apply at some site, visit Parking at Massachusetts State Parks for information on fees, DCR’s parking app, and available park passes
Park Hours- note park closing hours Alphabetical List of State Parks
West Region
Savoy Mountain State Forest, 260 Central Shaft Road, Florida, MA
Accessible viewing spot: The North Pond Day Use Area is a great spot for picnicking and viewing foliage.
Challenging hike for peak viewing: The Busby Trail to Spruce Hill is one of the most popular trails in the state forest, offering a great panoramic view for prime foliage viewing. The hike begins gradually, following an old farm road, but becomes more strenuous near the top.
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, Cheshire, MA
Ashuwillticook is marked by 12.7 miles of beautiful accessible biking and walking trail to explore in the fall with red maples lining the edges of the Cheshire Lake and the many wetlands flanking the trail. The trail runs through the towns of Cheshire, Lanesborough, and Adams and its spots along the Cheshire Reservoir and the Hoosic River offer outstanding views of the scenery.
Pittsfield State Forest, 1041 Cascade St., Pittsfield, MA
The forest offers an extensive trail network for hikers of all abilities, including the Taconic Crest Trail offering long wooded stretches and views into New York State.
Accessible viewing spot: The Berry Pond Circuit driving route to the vista point offers an option for visitors of all abilities.
Benedict Pond at Beartown State Forest, 69 Blue Hill Road, Monterey, MA
Benedict Pond has an accessible boardwalk, picnic, and viewing area at its day use area. The 1.7-mile Benedict Pond Loop Trail is an easy to moderate trail marked by American beech, white ash, birches, black cherry and maples mixed in with evergreen softwoods, eastern hemlock, and white pine that produce beautiful changing leaves.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest, 78 Cape St., Goshen, MA
DAR, located in the eastern foothills of the Berkshires, has an extensive trail network for hikers of all abilities.
Suggested hike for the more adventurous visitors: Fisher Trail to Darling Trail to the Goshen Fire Tower and return to the day-use area via Moore Hill Road. There’s an accessible trail along the lake’s edge for visitors of all abilities.
Mount Tom State Reservation, 125 Reservation Road, Holyoke, MA
Daily parking fees May 25 through October 14
Mount Tom offers extensive trail options for all visitors of all ability levels, including vista pull-offs that can be driven to.
Hike suggestions: Climb up to the Goats Peak observation tower, which offers the best view of the Mount Tom range and sweeping views of the Connecticut River valley
Central Region
Dunn State Park, 289 Pearl St., Gardner, MA
Suggested hike: Hike around Dunn Pond for beautiful views of the pond and surrounding foliage.
The park has a range of accessible activities including fishing and hiking.
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, 345 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA
Daily parking fee charged May 25 till road closes (summit parkway included): MA resident $5, Non-MA resident $20
Enjoy the scenic views from this 2,006-foot peak. Make sure to check the DCR Park Alerts app or website for any road closures due to capacity.
Accessible viewing spot: Take your car straight to the summit of Wachusett Mountain, for a breathtaking 360-degree view. Bring some lunch for the two picnic areas on the summit road with charcoal grills.
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, 287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA
Activities include biking, horseback riding, canoeing, fishing, picnicking and more. The Blackstone River Greenway, a paved multi-use path to connect Providence, RI to Worcester, MA, is just a short drive away.
North Region
Harold Parker State Forest, Park Headquarters, 305 Middleton Road, North Andover, MA
Daily parking fee charged May 25 through October 14: MA resident $5, Non-MA resident $20
Suggested hike: Explore a world of crimson and gold as you wander around Stearns Pond. Park at the headquarters (address above), continue to your right through the metal gate on the paved road. Your first left will take you to Stearns Pond beach for a lovely view of the pond. Return to the road, hiking in the same direction until you reach a road to your left at another gate on Middleton Rd. Follow the road around the pond, keeping the water to your left. Turn left at Harold Parker Rd., and walk along the road side with another beautiful view of Stearns Pond. At the T-intersection, turn left to return to headquarters. Approximately 3 miles, this trail is an easy hike.
Bradley Palmer State Park, 40 Asbury St, Topsfield, MA
Daily parking fee charged May 25 through October 14: MA resident $5, Non-MA resident $20
Suggested hikes: Immerse yourself in an autumn tapestry of colors on two different, easy hikes with limited elevation.
- As soon as you enter the park from Asbury St., take the left that passes the gray Lamson house, one of our Curatorship properties which is a private residence, and park in the small parking lot there. Take the ½ mile stone dust accessible trail along the Ipswich River to the footbridge and return on the same trail. There are benches for rest and relaxation along the way. This trail has a level stone dust surface that is a flat grade. It is great for persons with mobility issues.
- As you enter the park from Asbury St., follow the signs for parking in the main parking lot. The road that continues down the “avenue” is paved and level—perfect for persons with mobility issues, strollers and wheelchairs. This road continues for 1.5 miles to gate marking the far end of the park. Enjoy views of ponds and forest woodlands on this easy route. The gatehouse at the end is a special treat for history buffs. Return by the same route.
Middlesex Fells Reservation, 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham, MA
Parking available
Suggested hike: Rock Circuit Trail (white blazes): Park at Flynn Rink, 300 Elm St, Medford. Cross Woodland Road and hike uphill to Rock Circuit Trail either direction to start the loop. Follow the white blazes traversing steep rocky outcrops. Be sure to stop at the old MIT observatory and Boojum Rock to enjoy beautiful scenic views from several different high points. Plan at least 3 hours/4.0 miles. Difficult hike. For an easier hike, take the Rock Circuit Connector (orange blazes) a short cut between the northern and southern parts of Rock Circuit (white blazes).
Walden Pond State Reservation, 915 Walden St., Concord, MA
Park closures can occur on busy weekends at this park, so go early and plan ahead.
Suggested hikes:
- Pond path: Cross Walden Street and take the ramp to your left to descend to a tranquil view of this historic pond, where Henry David Thoreau lived for 2 years, 2 months, and 2 days. Take the Pond Path to your right, keeping the water on your left. After crossing the footbridge, continue up the hill to the iconic location of Thoreau’s house site. Here you can enjoy reading about the rediscovery of this location on our interpretive panel. Continue hiking the same way around the Pond Path, with the water on your left. 1.7 easy miles. Be sure to make time to visit both the Thoreau house replica near the parking lot as well as the Visitor Center where you may view the Ken Burns film Walden and peruse our displays telling the story of Henry David Thoreau’s life at the pond.
- Universal Access Trail for those with mobility issues or anyone preferring a quiet stroll through Walden Woods. Cross Walden Street and take an immediate right on the stone dust trail. This trail winds through the woods that Thoreau once called home. Enjoy interpretive tidbits on signage along the way, as well as several benches for resting and taking in the hush of the forest. This path is less travelled than the Pond Path. At the house site, you can either return via the Pond Path or continue around the pond. 1.7 easy miles. Be sure to make time to visit both the Thoreau house replica near the parking lot as well as the Visitor Center where you may view the Ken Burns film Walden and peruse our displays telling the story of Henry David Thoreau’s life at the pond.
Breakheart Reservation, 177 Forest St., Saugus, MA
Challenging suggested hike: Ridge Trail - trek along this 3-mile trail over rocky terrain, with views of the Atlantic Ocean and witness a kaleidoscope of autumn hues.
South Region
Blue Hills Reservation, 725 Hillside St., Milton, MA
Suggested easy hike: Houghton’s Pond Loop, a short and easy hike, is a wonderful way to take in the beauty of fall foliage in Massachusetts. It’s perfect for families with young children looking to take in the changing leaves.
Suggested moderate hike: A 1-mile hike up the Great Blue Hill, at a height of 635 ft., it's the highest of the 22 hills in the Blue Hills chain. From the rocky summit, visitors can see over the entire metropolitan area.
Wompatuck State Park, 204 Union St., Hingham, MA
Suggested hike: Health Heart Loop, this 1-mile loop hike will make you feel like you are deep in the woods, with the luxury of being on pavement. It’s perfect for beginners and families, especially with strollers.
Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., North Easton, MA
Daily parking fees charged year-round: MA resident $5, Non-MA resident $20
Suggested hike: Pond Walk Loop is an easy 3-mile hike on the carriage road leading around Lower Leach Pond. On this beautiful mostly wooded trail, you will pass the picturesque stone lodge, foundations, dam and bridge, open fields, the 1910 Ames Mansion and the picnic grounds.
Nickerson State Park, 3488 Main St., Brewster, MA
Parking fee charged 8AM-5:30PM daily, May 25-Oct. 14: MA Resident Vehicle - $8, Non-MA Resident Vehicle - $30
Suggested hike: Little Cliff Pond - you may forget you’re on Cape Cod while hiking miles of trails through the woods and around ponds. Enjoy an easy 1.7-mile hike on the loop around this long and narrow 33-acre natural kettlehole pond, where the shoreline is largely wooded with pitch pines and scrub oaks, with occasional sandy beaches.
A peek at a few locations
Mt. Sugarloaf offers a commanding view of the Connecticut River, the Pioneer Valley, and the Pelham and Berkshire Hills.
The New Salem and Enfield lookouts offer magnificent views of the Quabbin reservoir.
The Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts provides a broad array of hiking opportunities for both the long-distance or day hiker.
The name of "October Mountain" is attributed to writer Herman Melville, whose view from his home in Pittsfield of these hills in fall impressed him so.
The Norwottock Rail Trail is an 11 mile path linking Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst along the former Boston & Main Railroad right-of-way