National park · United States
October Mountain State Forest
Entry is free; drive to the Lee gate on Woodland Rd and walk the 2.7-mile marsh loop, or use the Appalachian Trail trailheads at County Rd and Becket Rd for a longer day. Camp mid-May to mid-October only.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6,660 km² (2,571 sq mi)2,571 sq mi (6,660 km²)
approximate
Established
1915
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 6,660 km² (2,571 sq mi)2,571 sq mi (6,660 km²)
- 16,460 acres (about 6,660 ha), the largest state forest in Massachusetts; figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1915
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
October Mountain is the largest state forest in Massachusetts: about 16,460 acres of maple, beech and hemlock ridge in the west-central Berkshires, spread across Lee, Washington, Becket, Lenox and Pittsfield. It began as the private estate of William C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy under Grover Cleveland; the land was sold to the public in 1915 and opened that year. Herman Melville, who could see the ridge from his Pittsfield home, is credited with the name. There is no entrance fee and no day-use permit, so the decision is not whether to pay but where to park: the Lee gate on Woodland Rd for the campground and the ridge roads, or the County Rd and Becket Rd lots for the marsh loop and the Appalachian Trail. Camping runs mid-May to mid-October only, and much of the forest is open to hunting in season, so autumn walkers wear orange.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1915.
Size and age
6,660 km² (2,571 sq mi)2,571 sq mi (6,660 km²) · national park since 1915
16,460 acres (about 6,660 ha), the largest state forest in Massachusetts; figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- No entrance fee and no permit for day use — the cheapest full day out in the Berkshires.
- The Appalachian Trail crosses the Washington section, so you can walk a piece of the Georgia-to-Maine route.
- Washington Mountain Marsh, four reservoirs and ponds give swimming, paddling and flat shoreline walking in one forest.
- Fall colour on the maple, beech and birch ridges is the reason most people come; spring and summer are quiet.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanMany parking lots and some trails closed; check the winter map
- FebSame closures; snowshoes or skis only
- MarMud season; dirt roads soft
- AprTrails firm up late in the month
- MayCampground opens mid-month; green and quiet
- JunLong days; swimming in the reservoirs
- JulWarm and humid; go early
- AugWarm; bugs near the marsh
- SepDry, cool, few people
- OctPeak colour, but the busiest weekends of the year
- NovBare trees; hunting season, wear orange
- DecCampground closed; ice on trails
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beavers and herons around the marsh and pondsApr–Sep · Best at dawn and dusk from the marsh loop. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| DeerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Black bearsApr–Oct · Store food in a vehicle or bear box; never leave a pack unattended at a campsite. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Moose (rare)May–Jun, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Hawks and songbirds on migrationApr–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Largemouth bass fishing in October Mountain ReservoirMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lee
US 20 to Golden Hill Rd, then Bradley St, Mill St, Washington Mt Rd and Woodland Rd to the main entrance at 317 Woodland Rd.
15 min
From Lenox and Lenox Dale
Walker St or Crystal St south to Mill St, then Willow Hill Rd west to Woodland Rd.
20 min
From Becket and MA Route 8
County Rd off McNerny Rd for the County Rd lot, the marsh trail and the Appalachian Trail crossing.
10 min
From Pittsfield
Drive south-east via US 20 and Lee, or via Route 8 and Becket.
35–45 min
From New York City
Car via I-87 and the Massachusetts Turnpike to Lee, then local roads.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lee entrance and campground | Main gate, parking, the campground with yurts and RV sites, and the road up to the ridge. | Open; camping by reservation in season. |
| Washington Mountain Marsh | The marsh, its dam, the interpretive loop and the West Branch cemetery. | Open on foot; the loop starts at W Branch Rd. |
| Reservoir and pond country | October Mountain Reservoir day-use area, Schoolhouse Reservoir, Felton Pond and Buckley Dunton Lake. | Open; car-top boats only, no motors. |
| Appalachian Trail corridor | The footpath across the Washington section, with trailheads at W Branch Rd, County Rd and Becket Rd. | Foot traffic only; no hunting and no loaded firearms on the trail. |
| ORV trail network | Felton, Spruce and Finnerty Pond trails and the dirt roads linking them. | Permit required; rough rock and gravel. |
Sketch map
- 1Main entrance and campground, Woodland Rd, Lee · Gate≈42.338, -73.234Map ↗
- 2Woods Pond parking, Woodland Rd, Lee · Gate≈42.347, -73.239Map ↗
- 3County Rd parking and Appalachian Trail crossing, Washington · Trail≈42.333, -73.162Map ↗
- 4Washington Mountain Marsh trailhead, W Branch Rd · Trail≈42.353, -73.188Map ↗
- 5Anderson Vista, Lower Tower Rd · Viewpoint≈42.368, -73.205Map ↗
- 6October Mountain Reservoir day-use area, Schoolhouse No 2 Rd · Beach≈42.349, -73.187Map ↗
- 7Buckley Dunton Lake boat ramp · Beach≈42.313, -73.132Map ↗
- 8October Mountain Shelter, Washington · Sleep≈42.355, -73.154Map ↗
- 9Lee · Town≈42.304, -73.248Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the DCR map and the state forest listing, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day use (parking, trails, boat ramp) | Free | vehicle | No day-use fee is charged for this state forest (check). |
| Camping, tent or RV site | US$17–54 | night | 2026 estimate; the lower rate is for Massachusetts residents, the higher for everyone else. |
| Small yurt | US$45–120 | night | 2026 estimate; resident and non-resident rates. |
| Large yurt | US$55–140 | night | 2026 estimate; resident and non-resident rates. |
| Off-road vehicle permit | Free | vehicle | ORVs are allowed only with a permit; the fee is set by the state and changes — check before you load the trailer. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day use no permit
Camping permit or guide
Off-road vehicle use permit or guide
Hunting permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$17–54
- US$45–120
- US$55–140
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation — October Mountain State Forest before you go.
Park rules
- Hunting
- The whole forest is open to hunting in season and it sits in Zone 2; wear a high-visibility vest or jacket on foot in autumn. Hunting is not allowed on the Appalachian Trail.
- Firearms on the Appalachian Trail
- Any firearm carried on the Appalachian Trail must be unloaded.
- Camping
- Only at designated sites, only mid-May to mid-October; no dispersed camping in the forest.
- Boats
- Non-motorized, car-top boats only on the reservoirs, ponds and lakes.
- Off-road vehicles
- Permit required and only on the signed ORV trails; the terrain is recommended for intermediate to expert riders.
- Winter closures
- Some parking lots and trails close in winter; check the winter trail map before setting out.check
- Stay on trail
- Follow painted blazes; double blazes mark an intersection or a change of direction.
Where to stay
In the park
October Mountain State Forest Campground
Tent, pop-up and RV sites plus small and large yurts at 256 Woodland Rd, Lee; RV sites have no electricity. Season mid-May to mid-October.
In the park
October Mountain Shelter
Appalachian Trail group campsite in Washington with five tent pads, capacity 12, a privy, a bear box and a water source just south of the site.
Near the park
Lee and Lenox
Motels, inns and rentals 15–20 minutes from the gate; the practical base outside the camping season.
Near the park
Becket
Small inns and the Dreamaway Lodge restaurant and bar on County Rd at the edge of the park; it closes for winter and reopens in spring.
Safety
Hunting season medium
Unmaintained dirt roads medium
Getting lost off trail medium
Winter ice and closures low
Bears at campsites low
Cold water low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The main entrance, campground and reservoir day-use area are reached by paved or graded road with short, level walks from parking.
- The Washington Mountain Marsh loop is the flattest trail, but the surface is dirt and roots rather than a boardwalk.
- Anderson Vista is a short walk from Lower Tower Rd; the ridge trails and the Appalachian Trail are steep and rough.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything; there are few bins and no rubbish collection on the trails.
- Keep to blazes — cutting switchbacks erodes the ridge trails that volunteers maintain.
- Use the boat ramp and car-top only rule to keep the reservoirs free of fuel and invasive species; clean and dry boats between waters.
- Give bears and moose distance and never feed wildlife at the campground.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter October Mountain State Forest?
Nothing for day use. There is no entrance or parking fee for the forest (check), so the only costs are fuel and, if you stay, a campsite. Camping runs about $17–54 a night for a tent or RV site and $45–140 for a yurt, with lower rates for Massachusetts residents; that is a 2026 estimate.
What are the best hikes in October Mountain State Forest?
For a short, flat walk, the 2.7-mile Washington Mountain Marsh loop from W Branch Rd. For a half day, the blue-blazed 1.7-mile Gorge Trail to Felton Pond or the 5.4-mile Schoolhouse Trail loop from County Rd. For a longer route, walk a section of the Appalachian Trail from the County Rd or Becket Rd trailhead; the October Mountain Shelter is about halfway along the Washington crossing.
When is the best time to visit October Mountain State Forest?
Late May, June and September for quiet trails and good weather, and early to mid-October for fall colour. October weekends are the busiest of the year, so arrive before 9:00 or use the County Rd and Becket Rd lots instead of the Lee entrance. The campground runs mid-May to mid-October; in winter some lots and trails close.
Do I need a pass such as America the Beautiful?
No. October Mountain is a Massachusetts state forest, not a federal park, so the America the Beautiful pass does not apply. Day use is free and camping is booked through the state system.
Can I swim or paddle in the forest?
Yes. October Mountain Reservoir has a day-use area with swimming, picnic tables and grills, and Buckley Dunton Lake has a boat ramp. Boats must be car-top and non-motorized, and there are no lifeguards.
Is it safe to hike during hunting season?
The forest is open to hunting in season and is in Zone 2. Wear a high-visibility vest or jacket on foot in autumn, keep to marked trails, and note that hunting is not allowed on the Appalachian Trail.
Can I camp anywhere in the forest?
No. Camping is only at designated sites and only from mid-May to mid-October. The main campground is at 256 Woodland Rd in Lee; Appalachian Trail hikers use the October Mountain Shelter group site in Washington.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialMassachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation — October Mountain State Forest
- officialDCR — October Mountain State Forest trail map
- officialDCR — Washington Mountain Marsh interpretive trail
- officialMassachusetts camping reservations — October Mountain State Forest
- officialMassachusetts fishing and hunting season summary
- secondaryWikivoyage: October Mountain State Forest, revision 5248680 (CC BY-SA 4.0)