Chicopee state park, formerly the cooley brook reservoir and watershed has been developed as a high use active recreation area. the total acreage is 575 acres including a 25 acre pond. activities include swimming, fishing and picnicking.

Clarksburg state park offers 368 acres of abundant and unspoiled northern hardwood forest with breathtaking views of the hoosac range, mount greylock and the green mountains.

Cochituate state park is a popular regional day use park featuring water based recreational opportunities including boating, swimming, windsurfing, and fishing on its three large lakes. picnicking, swimming, andboat launching are limited to the main area of the park on the middle lake and boaters can gain access to the other lakes through channels under roadways. jet skis are not allowed on the lake.

The connecticut river greenway, is one of massachusetts' newest state parks. it connects open spaces, parks, scenic vistas, and archaeological and historic sites along the length of the connecticut river as it passes through the state. there are over 12 miles of permanently protected shoreline, and numerous access points to the river (listed below). like jewels along a necklace, several larger properties such as Mt. Sugarloaf State Reservation, Norwottuck Rail Trail and the Great Falls Discovery Center (located in turner's falls) provide added visitor amenities.

The seven hundred acres known as cutler park comprise the largest remaining fresh water marsh on the middle charles. located in needham and dedham, the marsh and small lake attract over 100 species of birds which make cutler park a prime spot for nature study. other activities suitable to this wetland preserve are hiking, canoeing and fishing. open year-round, dawn to dusk.

The daughters of the american revolution (dar) donated 1,020 acres to the commonwealth for a state forest in 1929. since then more than 750 additional acres have been acquired to include upper and lower highland lakes, which offer a popular swimming beach, shady picnic area and a group picnic pavilion. located in the eastern foothills of the berkshires, discover 15 miles of mixed-use trails through northern hardwood-conifer forest. climb the goshen fire tower for spectacular views of the connecticut river valley and into five states.

This park is one of the best kept secrets in the massachusetts forest and park system. here, an 1800-foot saltwater beach is backed by rambling hills of beach grass and shaded, grassy picnic sites. a broad, scenic marsh lines the slocum river on the park's eastern edge.

An 11-foot-high "glacial erratic" boulder known as dighton rock once rested on the shore of the taunton river adjacent to this park. covered with petroglyphs, carved designs of ancient and uncertain origin, the rock is now installed in a small museum. the museum (open by appointment) exhibits several explanations of the carvings, which range from portuguese explorers to native americans.

Malibu beach, victory road park and tenean beach provide the public with coastal access along the extended mouth of the neponset river. malibu beach offers protected swimming and bathhouse. victory road park is a passive park with indigenous planting on a reclaimed landfill. tenean beach is a popular swimming beach with playground facilities, tennis and basketball courts. nearby savin hill beach, restored to its original olmsted brothers design, has a tot lot, baseball fields and protected swimming. together these facilities are an important link in the continuous pathway and greenway system from Castle Island  in south boston to the neponset river.

Bordering both connecticut and rhode island, this popular 5,907-acre state forest offers a variety of recreational opportunities. visitors can enjoy swimming, boating and fishing at wallum lake and hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling onmiles of woodland trails. facilities include two pavilions, boat ramp, swimming beach, picnic area and restrooms.

Located within hawley, plainfield and savoy, the 7,882 acre northern hardwood and spruce-fir forest offers 35 miles of mixed-use trails, six miles of hiking trails and one mile interpretive trail around hallockville pond. discover an abundance of historic sites including cellar holes from the abandoned village of south hawley; moody springs; a rare fieldstone "beehive" charcoal kiln; and remains of mill complex at hallockville pond.

This 130-acre park features a 20 acre pond, walking trails, swimming, fishing, picnicking, public programs, and play equipment. private canoes and non-motorized boats are allowed on the pond. in the winter the trails are open for cross country skiing, ice skating is allowed on the pond and often there is a fire blazing in the visitors centers fireplace.  all activities offered by the park are accessible to people with disabilities.

Ellisville harbor is a unique coastal property, including an 18th century farmstead, beachfront, salt marsh, rolling meadows, and red pine forest. it's also one of the most scenic spots on the south shore coastline, where you can see small fishing boats, a barrier beach, sphagnum bog, forested upland and open meadows. recreation activities include walking, bird watching, beach combing and sightseeing. in fall and winter, harbor seals can often be seen just off-shore.

The reservation is open year round dawn to dusk. gates open at 8am. elm bank reservation, located in wellesley, is one of the most recent parkland acquisitions. the 182 acres of woodlands, fields, and old estate property is surrounded on three sides by the charles river. the reservation is listed on the national register of historic places for its many elements of estate landscaping. a variety of wildlife, including deer, thrive in the upland habitats and along the river.

This forest provides a wide variety of recreational pursuits including, boating, swimming and fishing at laurel lake with its beautiful, brick-lined lakeshore, camping, picnicking, hunting, horseback riding and winter sports. the woodlands are interlaced by 8 miles of forest roads, and numerous trails lead to points of scenic interest.

This 8.5-acre park enjoys a spectacular location overlooking battleship cove, home of the world war ii battleship, u.s.s. massachusetts.

The massachusetts federation of women's club state forest lies in petersham and new salem on route 122. its 984 acres stretch to the south and west in the watershed of the quabbin reservoir. please note that no pets are allowed on dcr watershed property.  groves of pine and stands of maple, birch and hemlock invite the visitor along the wooded roads. the road along fever brook is outstanding for its scenery. a wildlife sanctuary compromising 140 acres has been set aside in the center of the forest, and a dam on fever brook holds back sufficient water to attract migrating and native wild fowl. in the southwest section is the forest's chief geological feature, the gorge.

Covering 1,027 acres in foxboro and wrentham, f. gilbert hills is a "passive use" pine and oak forest. there are 23 miles of trails for various uses, looping through the forest. one of these leads to the warner trail, a long-distance hiking trail that travels through norfolk county on its way to rhode island. mountain biking is a widely popular activity and there are also trails for orvs and horseback riding.

Pilgrim memorial sp is one of the most heavily visited parks in the state parks system.  nearly one million people a year come from all over the world to visit the town where in 1620 europeans first made a home in new england and to see plymouth rock.  this simple glacial erratic boulder on the shore of plymouth harbor has become a world famous symbol of the courage and faith of the men and women who founded the first new england colony.  a landscaped waterfront park provides scenic views of plymouth harbor. the mayflower ii, a replica of the ship that brought the first pilgrims to massachusetts, is anchored at the park.

One of the smaller parks in massachusetts, fort phoenix state reservation combines historic features, scenic views and a variety of recreational facilities. minutes from downtown new bedford, the park contains a half-mile of buzzards bay beachfront. adjacent to the park (and managed by the town of fairhaven) is fort phoenix, a national landmark fort which gives the park its name. from the ramparts remnants, one can gaze across the bay where the first naval battle of the revolutionary war was fought, to the rolling meadows of the elizabeth islands.

Fort revere park is an 8+ acre historic site located atop telegraph hill in hull village. the park contains the remains of two seacoast fortifications, a water tower with an observation deck, a military history museum and picnic facilities. fort revere park is open daily, sunrise to sunset, year round. there are grills and picnic tables available.

Just 5 minutes from fall river and taunton, and 15 minutes from new bedford, freetown state forest is a vast tract of public land acquired over a twenty year period beginning in the 1930's. near the main entrance is a day use area, with wading pool, picnic area, fields and restrooms. the remainder of the forest offers 50 miles of unpaved roads and trails. horseback riders, dog sledders, mountain bikers, and seasonal motorcycle and snowmobile users are welcome, as are hunters and anglers in season. rattlesnake brook, which meanders throughout much of the property, is stocked with brook trout each spring.

C. m. gardner state park is located in the rolling berkshire foothills along a scenic section of the westfield river east branch. in summer the sunlit mountain river here is a delightful spot to relax. a wooded picnic area is available on the banks of the river.

The heritage state park is located in a restored 19th century fire station. it contains self-guided exhibits that trace the silversmith and furniture making industry in gardner, also known as “chair city.”   questions may be directed to the dcr park supervisor located at dunn state park, gardner, at 978-632-7897. 

This 1,112 acre forest offers a variety of year-round activities including horseback riding, hiking, walking, hunting (some restrictions), cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.