Hinsdale Flats WMA Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Hinsdale Flats - Washington Road

Washington Road, Hinsdale, MA

About Hinsdale Flats - Washington Road

Washington Road provides access to the westernmost section of the Hinsdale Flats Wildlife Management Area. This property contains an exceptional wildlife habitat and natural environment as its forests, wetlands, meadows, and streams create a diverse ecosystem. Hunting is especially popular at the WMA, as white-tailed deer, black bears, and countless game bird species roam Hinsdale Flats. Wildlife viewing is made easy by the large mammal populations at the preserve, with beavers, river otters, and mink being especially common due to the multiple streams that flow through the property. Lucky visitors may even spot a moose, which is rare in Massachusetts. Additionally, birding enthusiasts appreciate the collection of elusive species seen at Hinsdale Flats, including endangered birds like American bittern. In the summer, be on the lookout for Wilson's snipe, a rare species in the state restricted to the highlands of the Berkshires.

It should be noted that from this parking area, only the westernmost section of Hinsdale Flats is accessible since a railroad bisects the property with no designated crossings. This means that many sites in the WMA are best accessed from other parking areas, including the East Branch of the Housatonic River, Muddy Pond, and an extensive collection of wetlands and marshes. Still, the Washington Road parking area provides access to Cady Brook, fields, wetlands, and dense forestry. A large managed field right by the parking area can be an ideal spot for birding since it can be easily navigated without entering the woods— butterflies are also common in this field throughout the spring and summer. Since Hinsdale Flats has no maintained trails, it is best suited for those looking to hunt or otherwise primitively explore the woods of Western Massachusetts.

Visitors who venture into the woods should bring high waterproof boots since wading through water is expected to navigate the property. While most of the WMA is flat, there is a short 75-foot descent from Washington Road into the wetlands, so some climbing and descent should be expected. There is a driveway entrance off Washington Road that can park 1-2 cars.