Home > Massachusetts > Beartown State Forest |
Monday, November 25, 2024
Other Names | Benedict Pond Road, Wildcat Trail, Beebe Trail, Sky Peak Trail, Airplane Trail, Turkey Trail, Lookout Trail, Lake Benedict, Mount Wilcox |
Last Known Status | Closed For Season |
This state forest offers 16.4 miles of challenging ATV trails that consists mostly of loose and chunk rock, mud puddles, tree roots and steep uphill and downhill sections. The staging area is large and trail maps can be found at the kiosk.
Swimming, boating and camping can be found at nearby Lake Benedict but note that there is no direct trail access from there so machines must be hauled to and from the staging area. The campground is open year-round but reservations are required May through October which can be done online.
A small parking fee is charged from May through Labor Day during weekends. There is no self pay kiosk at the staging area but a ranger should be available to take the parking fee (cash only). If there is no attendant then you must pay the fee at the ranger station which is just a few miles away off Blue Hill Road.
A variety of wildlife can be found which ranges from black bears to deer and bobcats. During the winter months the trails are open to snowmobiles.
Permit Required | Yes | Massachusetts Registration Sticker |
Dates Open | May through last Sunday in November | |
Other ATV Stickers Accepted | No | ATVs and motorcycles must be registered in Massachusetts, no reciprocity with other states. |
Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | |
Whip Flags | Not Required | |
Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (50 inches) | has entrance gate or posts vehicles under 900lbs dry weight and 50 inches wide permitted |
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
ATVs | Permitted | (maximum width 50 inches) |
UTV & SXS | Permitted | (maximum width 50 inches) |
SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
MX Helmet Required | Yes | required by state law |
Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) camping permitted at Lake Benedict, no direct trail access |
Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
Night Riding | No | riding hours dawn to dusk |
Trail Blazing | Prohibited | stay on trails |
Alcohol | Prohibited | |
Rule Enforcement | Some | Dedicated Rangers/Officers |
Approx Size | 12,000 acres (19 sq mi) | |
Miles Of Trail | 16 | |
Climate Type | Forest | |
Elevation | 1650 to 2000 ft. | |
Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
Loose Dirt | Little | |
Hard Pack | Some | |
Sand | None | |
Mud | Some | |
Dust | None | |
Rocks | Mostly | |
Trees | All | |
Steep Hills | Some | |
Water Crossings | Few | |
Small Jumps | None | |
Large Jumps | None | |
Berms | None | |
Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
Single Track | None | |
Roads | Few | |
Intersections | Some | |
Rider Traffic | Few | |
Shade | Some | |
Ranges/Gunfire | Some | area open during hunting season |
Hazards | Few | (hazards not marked) |
Novice | Little | |
Amateur | Mostly | |
Expert | Some |
Area | Motorized Trails |
Land | State Forest |
Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Great Barrington Texaco (413) 528-9773 |
Diesel | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Great Barrington |
Water | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Great Barrington |
RV Hookup | 30+ Miles (SE) | Sodom Mountain Campground (413) 569-3930 |
RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Camp Overflow (413) 269-4036 |
Campground | 1-5 Miles (S) | Beartown State Forest Campground (413) 528-0904 |
Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Lipton Mart Stores (413) 528-9898 |
Parking | Certain Times ($30.00) Fee charged Memorial Day through Labor Day. Massachusetts Residents - $8/vehicle; Non-Residents - $30/vehicle. Residency determined by vehicle license plate. |
Entry | (None) |
Riding | (None) |
Camping | Yes Tent: $14.00 RV: $14.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $0.00 Beartown State Forest Campground Fee - $14/night/residents; $40/night/non-residents. Residency determined by vehicle license plate. |
Comment | Benedict Pond Campground is open year-round, reservations required May through Labor Day. |
Pros | beautiful scenery, nice long loops |
Cons | very rocky, no single track, no direct trail access from campground |
Our Rating | Good |
Recommended Stay | Full Day |
Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
Nearest City | Monterey, MA | ||
Address | Benedict Pond Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230 | ||
| From: Westfield, MA
1) Take I-90 West to Exit 10 2) Continue about .5 miles, veer left at fork near end of off ramp 3) Turn left (south) onto Housatonic Street, continue .3 miles 4) Veer right onto Pleasant Street/SR-102, continue 2.6 miles 5) Turn left (south) onto Meadow Street, cross the river then immediately veer right onto Pine Street, continue .4 miles 6) Turn left onto Beartown Mountain Road, continue 3.2 miles (Beartown Mountain Road will fork at 2.2 miles, stay to the right) 7) Staging area is on the right (west). |
Contact Info | Beartown State Forest 69 Blue Hill Road Monterey, MA 01245 (413) 528-0904 beartown.forest@state.ma.us www.mass.gov |
Contact Info | Massachusetts Environmental Police 251 Causeway Street, Suite 101 Boston, MA 02114 (617) 626-1610 www.mass.gov |
Comment | ATV/Motorcycle Registration Info |
Contact Info | Reserve America (877) 422-6762 (877) 620-2267 www.reserveamerica.com |
Comment | campground reservations |
Contact Info | Patriots All Terrain Club P.O. Box 2967 Pittsfield, MA 01201 patriotsatv@yahoo.com www.patriotsatv.org |
Comment | Offroad club that does trail maintenance and group rides in Massachusetts and surrounding states. |
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