Autumn in Massachusetts is a beautiful time of year. The leaves change colors and the trees become bursts of reds, oranges, and yellows. Now is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the fresh autumn air and epic views of the foliage. There are many ways to witness the natural beauty of fall in Franklin County - by car, bike, foot, or even canoe!
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has a list of Nine Franklin County Foliage Destinations. All of these places are amazing at any time of year, but especially right now! Be sure to check out their article and browse the list of great places for foliage in Franklin County. If that’s not enough, here are some of my personal favorite spots around Franklin County in the fall:
Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest, Hawley
Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest is a rich forest with over 35 miles of mixed-use hiking trails. Park your car across from Hallockville Pond and walk or mountain bike through this 7,882 acre woodland. Along the way, you might see relics from the abandoned village of South Hawley, such as cellar holes, a rare fieldstone “beehive” charcoal kiln, and the remains of a mill at Hallockville Pond. Find more information on the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation website. https://www.mass.gov/locations/kenneth-dubuque-memorial-state-forest
Catamount State Forest, Colrain
Catamount was once a village in Colrain, whose claim to fame was that its schoolhouse was the first to fly the American flag in 1812. The village was abandoned in the early 20th century and today it is a beautiful state forest with trails for mountain bikers and hikers. Fishers and canoers are also drawn to the forest for McLeod Pond. Unfortunately, there is not too much information on the web about Catamount State Forest. However, you can easily search for the directions to get there. Once there, it is easy to follow the old logging roads up to the pond.
Mohawk Trail State Forest
Mohawk Trail State Forest is a very popular destination in the summer, with camping available right next to the Deerfield River. However, in the fall it becomes a wonderful place to enjoy the foliage around the river and to take in the sights and smells of the season. The Mohawk Trail State Forest covers 6,000 acres of mountain ridges, gorges, and woods. While camping is no longer available past Mid-October, it is still a great place for a day visit to hike around and enjoy the scenery. Find more information about Mohawk Trail State Forest here.
Mohawk Trail / Route 2
Drive along Route 2 and enjoy the spectacular scenery. The Mohawk Trail is a 69-mile scenic byway which crosses and parallels five major rivers - the Millers, Connecticut, Green, Deerfield, and Hoosic. You’ll also pass several state forests and see lush hillsides, full of color. There are plenty of wonderful towns to stop at along the way for a bite to eat or to browse the shops, including Shelburne Falls, Charlemont, and North Adams.
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Photo by Peter James Eisenhaure on Unsplash
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