Berkshire Natural Resources Council Day Preserve

East Sheffield Road, Great Barrington, MA

About Day Preserve

Day Preserve is an undeveloped 72-acre property ideal for hunters or those seeking solitude. The site was originally home to the Great Barrington smallpox hospital, which has since been demolished. Remnants of the old sanitarium can still be found if you are up for a challenge, making the site appealing to those looking to explore the rich history of the Berkshires. Although the property is preserved by the BNRC for public use, it has no maintained trails. Visitors should be prepared to bushwhack through the rough terrain independently.

Since the unmarked site is surrounded by private property, visitors, especially hunters, should be careful to remain within the property's boundaries. The preserve can only be accessed from East Sheffield Road, which borders the property east of the confluence of the Housatonic and Green Rivers, roughly three-quarters of a mile south of the intersection of East Sheffield Road and Brookside Road. From this point, ascending the forest due east will leave plenty of space between you and surrounding private property. As you crest the roughly 350-foot climb and approach the preserve's highest point, the property boundaries extend only about 300 feet east and 500 feet north or south.

There is no parking by the site, so visitors must find their own parking away from the site. Accessing the site will require a walk along East Sheffield Road, a quiet Western Massachusetts road with lots of shade. Occasional breaks in tree cover unlock scenic views of Mount Everett to the west.