Olympian Meadows
Great Barrington, MA
Playground | Football | Baseball/Softball
East Mountain Forest Quarry Street, Great Barrington, MA
Managed by
Town of Great Barrington
Allowed Uses & Features
Information
- Dogs allowed - Leashed
- Free
- Parking
- Scenic View
View westward from the top of East Mountain, facing Great Barrington.
The parking area for East Mountain off Quarry Street.
A flat, dirt section of the East Rock Vista trail.
Boulders surround a steep section of the East Rock Vista trail.
East Rock.
- Public Land
- Private Land
- Bus Route
- Trail
- Major Trail
About East Mountain Forest
The East Mountain State Forest is a fantastic opportunity to explore lesser-known hiking trails in the Berkshires. Adjacent to the small parking lot on Quarry Street sits the East Rock trailhead, which offers a short but strenuous half-mile hike to East Rock. The hike's difficulty can be mitigated somewhat by veering left at the first fork in the trail, which allows hikers to ascend along a ridgeline. The rock, which sits about 150 feet below the summit, can be safely climbed with a short ladder and offers stunning views of the Taconic Mountains to the west. Also in view are the picturesque streets of downtown Great Barrington, offering a bird's-eye-view of the bustling Western Massachusetts town. Three other Berkshire towns can be observed from the rock, with Egremont due west, Alford to the northwest, and Mount Washington to the southwest.
For those seeking a more adventurous trek through the woods, the East Mountain State Forest is frequented by bushwhackers. Thrill-seekers can continue past East Rock toward the summit, where the trail disappears, and a ridgeline pointing southeast appears. Traveling along the ridgeline leads to an expansive plateau resting between 1450 and 1550 feet. Some take on bushwacking to one of the peaks of Ski Butternut, offering a fantastic resting spot in the offseason before trekking back to Quarry Street.
Town of Great Barrington
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Accessibility Assessment
There are no accessible features at this location.
A ladder provides access to the top of a rock on East Mountain.
The East Rock Vista trail, viewed from the top of East Rock.
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.
