Ashley Falls Woods
Sheffield, MA
Snowshoeing | Hiking
Housatonic River Access Covered Bridge Lane Covered Bridge Road, Sheffield, MA
Managed by
Town of Sheffield
Allowed Uses & Features
Information
- Parking
Housatonic River access from Sheffield Covered Bridge.
Historic Sheffield Covered Bridge.
- Public Land
- Private Land
- Bus Route
- Trail
- Major Trail
Allowed Uses & Features
Information
- Parking
About Housatonic River Access Covered Bridge Lane
The Covered Bridge Lane Access to the Housatonic River offers a serene access point to the river. This section of the Housatonic meanders south parallel to Route 7. Whether looking for paddleboarding, canoeing, or kayaking in the Berkshires, this access point provides boaters spectacular sights along the river. Silver maples line the river in both directions, providing some of the finest fall foliage in Western Massachusetts with the Taconic Range and East Mountain State Forest in the background. This section of the river offers excellent birding opportunities, with sandpipers, plovers, and wood ducks roaming the area.
Northward, paddlers encounter a variety of landscapes, including wetlands, pastures, and river swamps, with ample opportunities for wildlife viewing. Silver maples are abundant, providing spectacular foliage when paddling in the fall. For about a half mile, the river runs adjacent to the Appalachian Trail on the west, which can be spotted with its iconic white blazes on the trees. About three miles north of the access point lies the confluence of the Housatonic with the Green River, known for its crystal clear water. Anglers use the Green River as a fishing spot, as it is home to native brook trout. However, the water is often shallow and rocky, meaning paddlers should check conditions during dry spells.
Southward, paddlers flow through countless oxbows along the meandering river, weaving through farmland and forest. Wildlife is abundant in this direction, including aquatic and semi-aquatic mammals like sea otters, muskrats, and beavers. Wildlife enthusiasts should keep an eye open for raptors and water birds, including bald eagles, red tailed hawks, turkey vultures, blue herons, and Canada geese.
After returning to the access point, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the town's riverside park, a perfect spot to eat lunch next to the historic Sheffield Covered Bridge.
Managed by
Town of Sheffield
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Accessibility Assessment
There are no accessible features at this location.
Access to the Historic Sheffield Covered Bridge can be found through a short dirt road off Route 7 (Covered Bridge Lane). This dirt road leads to a medium-sized dirt lot, which holds room for 10 cars to park. Thom Reed UFO park, which sits on the other side of the river, is accessible by crossing through the wooden covered bridge, which is closed to vehicles. A small grassy hill with grades between 5-10% leads from the parking area up to the bridge. The UFO park provides multiple picnic areas and benches, all of which are on the grass. Short and steep grassy hills can be found throughout the park.
Entrance to the parking area for the Historic Sheffield Covered Bridge.
Parking area for Sheffield Covered Bridge.
A small park on the other side of the Sheffield Covered Bridge.
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.
