Carriage Road Trail
Hopkins Memorial Forest
Williamstown, MA
Hunting | Hiking | Birding
Hopkins Memorial Forest Northwest Hill Road, Williamstown, MA
Managed by
Williams College
Allowed Uses & Features
Information
- Free
- Parking
- Water Access
- Water Views
The grass path going past a meadow.
The path that goes through Hopkins Forest.
A dirt trail wandering through the woods.
A dirt trail winding through the woods.
- Public Land
- Private Land
- Bus Route
- Trail
- Major Trail
About Hopkins Memorial Forest
This is the primary trailhead for Hopkins Memorial Forest, a 2600-acre hiking area managed by Williams College. Leaving the parking lot, visitors will see the Rosenburg Center—which has bathrooms and information about the forest—along with a small garden. Then, visitors will find the Lower Loop Trail, a 3-mile loop. Additionally, the Fore Glen Brook Trail runs for 0.5 miles.
Going counterclockwise on the loop, visitors will gradually climb through a Western Massachusetts forest ecosystem. On the left side of the pathway, the trail passes the sugar shack that makes Hopkins Forest's fresh maple syrup.
Eventually, after traveling by an open field used for biology research, hikers will climb through the forest to a trail junction. The Upper Loop Trail leaves from this junction, providing visitors with scenic views of Hemlock Brook. This pathway ultimately connects to the Taconic Crest Trail via the Birch Brook Trail, where visitors can reach a scenic overlook and "The Snow Hole."
In the early spring, Hopkins Memorial Forest annually holds a free MapleFest for visitors and community members. There is also a Fall Festival when the trees change color in autumn.
Visitors will find a small parking lot off Northwest Hill Road, just after the intersection with Buckley Street. Portions of HMF are open for deer shotgun season each fall. During this time, the forest is closed to all other users. Hunters must obtain a special no-fee permit to hunt in the forest.
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Accessibility Assessment
Features- Accessible Parking
- Accessible Restroom
- Adaptive Device Trail
This site has a flat, gravel parking lot with no designated handicap spaces. There is very little aggregate material. The Hopkins interpretive center has ADA-compliant restrooms and exhibits. There are several trails that run through the grounds. The Ford Glen Brook is 6 feet wide and on flat grass. The Hopkins Lower Loop is steep and only 3 feet wide. There is clear signage for all of these signs. A small garden can be found near the interpretive center, with flat and even grass paths going through it.
The flat gravel parking lot.
The dirt road leading to Hopkins Forest.
Explore Hopkins Memorial 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.
