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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 StatusClosed 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.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesMassachusetts Registration Sticker
Dates OpenMay through last Sunday in November
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedNoATVs and motorcycles must be registered in Massachusetts, no reciprocity with other states.
Spark ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (96 dB)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthYes (50 inches)has entrance gate or posts
vehicles under 900lbs dry weight and 50 inches wide permitted
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermitted
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermitted(maximum width 50 inches)
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSPermitted(maximum width 50 inches)
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Prohibited
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
Prohibited
2 Stroke EnginesNo Restriction
MX Helmet RequiredYesrequired by state law
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingSome Areas(camp in developed sites only)
camping permitted at Lake Benedict, no direct trail access
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night RidingNoriding hours dawn to dusk
Trail BlazingProhibitedstay on trails
AlcoholProhibited
Rule EnforcementSomeDedicated Rangers/Officers
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TERRAIN

Approx Size12,000 acres (19 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail16
Climate TypeForest
Elevation1650 to 2000 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has little loose dirt.Little
Hard PackThe trail has some hard pack terrain.Some
SandThis trail has no sandy areas.None
MudThe trail has some mud after it rains.Some
DustThe trail has no dust on typical days.None
RocksThis trail has mostly rocks.Mostly
TreesThe trail has almost all trees.All
Steep HillsThis trail has some steep hills.Some
Water CrossingsThe trail has few water crossings.Few
Small JumpsThis trail has no small jumps.None
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has no berms.None
Sand/Gravel PitsThis state forest has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis state forest has no single track trails.None
RoadsThis state forest has few roads.Few
IntersectionsThis trail has some intersections.Some
Rider TrafficThe state forest has few rider traffic on typical days.Few
ShadeThis state forest has some shaded areas.Some
Ranges/GunfireThis state forest has some shooting ranges or gunfire.Somearea open during hunting season
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has little beginner terrain.Little
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has some expert terrain.Some

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandState Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline5-20 Miles (SW)Great Barrington Texaco (413) 528-9773
Diesel Diesel5-20 Miles (SW)Great Barrington
Potable Water Water5-20 Miles (SW)Great Barrington
RV Hookups RV Hookup30+ Miles (SE)Sodom Mountain Campground (413) 569-3930
RV Dump Station RV Disposal5-20 Miles (SE)Camp Overflow (413) 269-4036
Primitive Camping Campground1-5 Miles (S)Beartown State Forest Campground (413) 528-0904
Convenience Store Conv Store5-20 Miles (SW)Lipton Mart Stores (413) 528-9898

FEES & PASSES

ParkingCertain 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)
CampingYes
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.
CommentBenedict Pond Campground is open year-round, reservations required May through Labor Day.

RATINGS

Prosbeautiful scenery, nice long loops
Consvery rocky, no single track, no direct trail access from campground
Our RatingRatingGood
Recommended StayFull Day
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityMonterey, MA
AddressBenedict Pond Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Go Back To Massachusetts List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
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).

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoBeartown State Forest
69 Blue Hill Road
Monterey, MA 01245
(413) 528-0904
beartown.forest@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov
Contact InfoMassachusetts Environmental Police
251 Causeway Street, Suite 101
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 626-1610
www.mass.gov
CommentATV/Motorcycle Registration Info
Contact InfoReserve America
(877) 422-6762
(877) 620-2267
www.reserveamerica.com
Commentcampground reservations
Contact InfoPatriots All Terrain Club
P.O. Box 2967
Pittsfield, MA 01201
patriotsatv@yahoo.com
www.patriotsatv.org
CommentOffroad club that does trail maintenance and group rides in Massachusetts and surrounding states.

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Beartown State Forest Trail

The motorized trails are wide enough for all vehicle types (Motorcycle, ATV and UTV).

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Beartown State Forest Trail

Lots of roots and then lots of tree roots, followed by a lot more rocks... with roots.

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Off-Road Bike at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

A trail at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Scenic view of Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Example of terrain at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Scenery from Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirtbike at Beartown State Forest Trail

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Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Amenities example at Beartown State Forest Trail

You cannot ride directly from the campground, but there are some great waterfront tent sites and some RV sites like this one.

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Amenities example at Beartown State Forest Trail

These are many day use picnic areas on the shores of Lake Benedict.

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Scenic view at Beartown State Forest Trail

The day use area at Lake Benedict has a swimming beach and a boat launch (electric motors only).

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Terrain example at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Beartown State Forest Trail

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Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike crossing the water at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirtbike at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

A trail at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Beartown State Forest Trail

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Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Example of terrain at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Off-Road Bike at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Beartown State Forest Trail

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Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Beartown State Forest Trail

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Beartown State Forest Trail

A view of the staging area.

Beartown State Forest Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirtbike at Beartown State Forest Trail

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