Things To Do
Rafting, fishing, kayaking and other outdoor sports locations.
The original Arthur A. Smith Bridge was a single lane bridge built in 1868 which served as a main crossover for the North River in the western portion of the town for 120 years. The bridge was named for Civil War Union Army veteran Arthur A. Smith whose land was the site of that first bridge. Replaced in 1951 by another wooden structure, it in turn was removed in 1991 to dry land by oxen team in preparation for an extensive restoration. The 99 foot bridge was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1983. Fully restored in 2007 it is open for pedestrian traffic. From Rt. 2 on the east side of the Deerfield River, take Rt. 112 north to the section of Colrain known as Lyonsville, turn left on Lyonsville Road and you will see the bridge.
Just a few hundred feet north on route 8A in the center of Charlemont is the newly rebuilt 92 foot Bissell Covered Bridge, the third bridge on this site. The original bridge that crossed Mill Brook was built about 1840 and was replaced in 1951. The current bridge, which reopened in May of 2009 after two years of construction, replaces the old bridge which had been closed to vehicular traffic in 1995. The site of the bridge was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 2004.
It took several years of discussion with the residents of Charlemont and state engineers before it was agreed to do a restoration of the bridge rather than demolish it and erect a modern concrete and steel bridge. As a compromise the new bridge has some special added support and guardrails, but to the casual observer the new wooden covered bridge maintains the character of the two preceding bridges at this location.
A special dedication of the new bridge, reminiscent of the one held in 1951, is planed for sometime in the fall of 2009.
New England's largest rafting outfitter; family-owned since 1983. Full and half-day trips on the Deerfield River in rafts or inflatable kayaks. Ages 5 and up. Trip highlights include exciting action, breathtaking scenery and great food. 11 miles from I-91
April - October
The Heritage State Park is located in a restored 19th century fire station. It offers self-guided exhibits that trace the sliversmith and furniture making industry in Gardner, also know as "Chair City"
Park directions from Route 2 east or west: take exit 22, then Rte 68, North to downtown Gardner. At the junction with Rte. 101, bear right onto Central Steet and the park is immediately on your left
18 hole short par 3 course. Clubs and golf balls furnished. Open daily from 9 a.m. to dark. April thru November. Located just 3 miles west of Greenfield rotary, right on the Mohawk Trail.
The High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary is owned and maintained by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. It is arguably the most beautiful 586 acres in the Region and is accessible year round. On an extensive trail system, High Ledges boasts a large inventory of native plants and wildflowers and is a haven for naturalists, photographers, and everyone who appreciates scenic views and unspoiled terrain.
Among them 20 species of Orchids and 30 species of ferns. Wildflowers many of them rare are best viewed May through September. October features fantastic fall foliage views of the Village of Shelburne Falls, the Deerfield River valley and Mt. Graylock. When winter snows carpet the sanctuary you can navigate the trails on snowshoes.
The sanctuary is open all year dawn to dusk. Visitors are requested to comply with regulations such as: No pets on or off leash. Don't pick any plants. For a complete list of these regulations plus directions contact the Massachusetts Audubon Society:
Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
There is a small admission fee for non-members: $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for children and seniors .
Directions:
Take Rt 2 west to Rt 91 (Greenfield rotary). At the rotary, continue west on Rt 2 toward Shelburne for 6 miles. Take a right onto Little Mohawk Road and bear left at the junction onto Patten Road. Continuing on Patten Road, go left at the next junction and then bear right. The sanctuary entrance is approximately 0.5 miles on left. Follow the road to the small dirt parking area on your left or park in the overflow lot at the corner of Patten Road and the sanctuary road.
Please note: Access to the interior parking area is discontinued due to deteriorating road conditions and other factors. You may park your vehicle in the small lot located on the sanctuary road approximately 800 feet west of Patten Road or in the overflow lot at the corner of the sanctuary road and Patten Road. Please do not park on the sanctuary road; it is also a private driveway and must remain accessible for maintenance and emergency vehicles. The ledges are located approximately one mile from the parking area.
Built in 1798 as the original Deerfield Academy building, it opened in 1880 as a museum to preserve and display collections as a "direct memorial of the inhabitants of this valley, both Indian and Puritan." 19 exhibition rooms. Open May 1-Oct. 31 Daily 11am-5 pm. Rts. 5 & 10.
A clear, cold river cascades through Mohawk Trail State Forest along a rocky streambed. One of the most scenic wonderland areas in massachusetts, the state forest offers visitors a taste of real wilderness in a rustic setting. Over 6,000 acres of mountain ridges deep gorges and tall old-growth trees support a diversity of plants and animal life. 56 wooded campsites are available seasonally, and six overnight log cabins are available year-round. Discover miles of rivers and streams for excellent trout fishing, a swimming area, and a day-use picnic area.
The state forest is located along and named for the Mohawk Trail a historic Native American foot path that connected the Connecticut and Hudson River Valleys. Sections of this route are open for hiking today as the Mahican-Mohawk Trail.
The forest is open May through mid October from sunrise until sunset. A $5.00 fee per vehicle is charged for parking.
Camping season is Mid April through Mid October, Cabins are available year round and accommodate 3-5 people. Recreational vehicles up to 30 ft. are permitted on designated sites.
Reservations are suggested.
Off-season camping is available, call for information.
Campground office hours 8am - 10pm
Wild and rugged Monroe State Forest has beep valleys, steep mountains and tall trees reaching for the sky. To view this forested landscape with valley-filled fog is an unforgttable experience. A hike to the top of Spruce Mountain or to Raycroft lookout offers magnificent panoramas of the surrounding Hoosac and Green Mountains and Deerfield River. From the parking area off River Road, hike the Dunbar Brook Trail through shaded stands of old-growth old-growth Eastern Hemlock and associated northern hardwood trees. The pristine brook tumbles and drops 700 vertical feet in two miles, over huge moss-covered boulders forming entrancing waterfalls, rapids and pools.
The forest has reclaimed much of the farmland and pastures that previously existed here in the 1800's. Only cellar holes and stone walls remain; stark memorials to the rugged individuals who once wrested a living from this rocky soil.
The forest is open sunrise to sunset year-round. Access is free. No services are available.
All terrain vehicles and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Snowmobiling is available conditions permitting (4-inch minimum hard-packed snow base.
Whitewater rafting and funyaking on the Deerfield River for fanatics to families. Trips range from mild to wild, full to half day. Enjoy thrilling whitewater or scenic floats through the spectacular Berkshires. Trips run May - October individual or groups.
