Peru WMA Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife East Main Road Parking Area

East Main Road, Peru, MA

About East Main Road Parking Area

The East Main Road Parking Area provides access to the southern section of the Peru Wildlife Management Area, a 5,000-acre forest excellent for hunting/fishing, wildlife viewing, and primatively exploring the woods of the Berkshires. This parking area is best suited for hunting and fishing. The dense forest contains a variety of game species, including deer, ruffed grouse, bears, and more. Immediately north of the parking area is Fuller Brook, a tributary of the Westfield River. This stream contains both native and stocked trout. Additionally, hunters can find waterfowl in this brook. Those seeking a more passive activity can try birding, as many attractive species call this forest home, such as American bitterns, golden-crowned kinglets, and blackburnian warblers. Visitors should note that the property contains no maintained trails, though it is possible to stumble across some old forest roads that have been reclaimed by nature.

The forest consists of northern hardwoods, with maple, birch, white ash, black cherry, and American beech trees being most prevalent. Although the area is mostly dry, wetlands are scattered throughout the property in lower regions. Fuller Brook widens immediately north of the parking area, creating a marshland that hosts vibrant aquatic wildlife populations, including beavers. Further north, Trout Brook meanders toward the Westfield River and provides additional fishing areas. The landscape consists of lightly rolling hills with only a few sharp peaks. One of these peaks is French Hill, rising to over 2,200 feet just south of the parking area. Generally, the WMA rests on a plateau that ranges between 1,800 and 2,000 feet, making it one of the highest upland regions in Western Massachusetts.

Visitors can access this parking area right off Route 143 in Peru, where a MassWildlife sign marks the entrance. It should be noted that although the parking area rests on the south side of Route 143, the majority of the WMA is north of the highway, including both Fuller and Trout Brooks. Hunters should note that the WMA takes the form of irregular-shaped parcels, so it is important to be cautious about remaining on public land.