Appalachian Trail - County Road
October Mountain State Forest
Washington, MA
Wildlife Viewing | Snowshoeing | Hiking
Buckley Dunton Lake Buckley Dutton Road, Becket, MA
Managed by
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Part of
October Mountain State Forest
Allowed Uses & Features
Information
- Dogs allowed - Leashed
- Family Friendly
- Free
- Parking
- Scenic View
- Water Access
- Water Views
Buckley Denton Lake.
A small picnic area overlooks Buckley Denton Lake.
- Public Land
- Private Land
- Bus Route
- Trail
- Major Trail
About Buckley Dunton Lake
Buckley Dunton Reservoir is a beautiful lake nestled in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts. Buckley Dunton Reservoir, a mid-size lake, has a rough boat launch, allowing hand launch of canoes, kayaks, SUPs, and small motor boat launches. The Soil Conservation Service built the lake in 1967 for flood control in what was formerly a forested area, so there are plenty of stumps in the water. Fish abound, with anglers likely to get pumpkinseed, bullheads, shiners, pickerels, or bass. Except for a few houses in the southern bay, the shoreline is undeveloped, resulting in a near-wilderness experience for those on the lake.
In addition to being on the water, there are informal trails around a portion of the lake that fishermen often use. In the winter, ice fishing is a popular activity. Several picnic tables are also provided, allowing for a family-friendly experience.
Wildlife is also plentiful at Buckley Dunton, including white-tail deer, moose, bears, coyotes on land, and beavers and otters in the water. Great blue herons, Canadian geese, and ducks call the lake home, and occasionally, a visitor will spot a loon.
Buckley Dunton Reservoir is part of the October Mountain State Forest, the largest state forest in Massachusetts. It includes miles of trails for hiking and off-road vehicles, camping, and several ponds for boating, giving the visitor to the area an abundance of opportunities.
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Accessibility Assessment
There are no accessible features at this location.
Access to the Dam at Buckley Dunton Lake can be found through multiple lots. The closest lot to the Dam rests over flat, compacted gravel, providing room for at least 10 cars to park. Other smaller lots can be found on the access road that leads to the dam. The boat ramp for the lake contains sustained grades between 5-10%, with maximum grades between 25-30%. A rutted section in the middle of the gravel ramp results in uneven cross slopes. There are some rocks throughout the dam.
Parking area for Buckley Denton Dam.
Buckley Denton Boat Ramp.
A rutted section of the Buckley Denton Boat Ramp.
An additional parking area at the end of Buckley Denton Road, with a picnic area shown in the background.
Explore October Mountain State Forest
Clubs, Retail & Rentals
Looking to meet up with others for team sports or group activities? Check out our list of clubs, guides and leagues in the Berkshires on the Resources page. Our list of summer camps will help you plan an overnight or day camp adventure for your young ones.
We also link to an array of outdoor recreation retail shops for gear and rental facilities for equipment on the Gear page.
