Town of Great Barrington McAllister Park and Wildlife Refuge

Hailey Road, Great Barrington, MA

About McAllister Park and Wildlife Refuge

McAllister Park offers fantastic views of the Taconic Mountains from a wide-open field. The large field provides unparalleled views of the Taconic range to the west, where New York and Western Massachusetts meet. This space calls you to sit in the grass and contemplate nature. The field allows visitors to run around, throw a frisbee, or fly a kite. With a westward face, the park is one of the best spots in the Berkshires to watch the sunset. Birds adore the grassy meadow and quiet park environment, making it an excellent spot for birding. In the winter, the park becomes a popular destination for snowshoeing as the wide-open field and its varied topography allow for a great day of exercise. With binoculars, visitors can zoom in on Catamount Mountain Resort and observe skiers throughout the day.

A grassy trail through the field connects visitors to the Green River, which locals know as a hidden gem of a place to dip in the river and enjoy a shaded picnic. The trip down is roughly three-quarters of a mile and descends about 250 feet on a wide walking trail that enters the woods about halfway down. There, an open space emerges where it is common to see locals relaxing by the water and kids swimming in the river in the summer. For those seeking a more strenuous hike back up, a steep hiking trail connects to the swimming hole next to the main trail, which ascends through a technical section of forest before entering a meadow adjacent to the main face of the park and returning to the original trail.

Dogs are welcome at McAllister Park but must remain on a leash. The park is a wildlife refuge, so dogs are best kept close to their humans and away from other animals. Parking is available along Haley Road.