George L. Darey Housatonic Valley WMA Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife New Lenox Road Parking Area

New Lenox Road, Lenox, MA

About New Lenox Road Parking Area

The New Lenox Road Parking Area is a large gravel and packed stone lot right off New Lenox Road that provides an accessible basepoint for multiple opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Berkshires. Part of the George L. Darey Housatonic Valley WMA, this area is right next to a meadow filled with tall, lush grasses and vibrant wildflowers, creating a home for countless species of nesting birds and pollinators during the spring, summer, and fall. The wide variety of bird species in this area makes it a popular location for birders since the wilderness of the wildlife management area is a prime habitat location. American woodcock and stocked ring-necked pheasant are found in the fields, providing an excellent opportunity for upland bird hunting. Beyond the meadow is a forest comprising some of the many different species of trees and bushes found in Western Massachusetts, such as oaks, maples, and mountain laurels. In this forest, hunters can find turkeys and white-tailed deer roaming through the underbrush.

This parking area can also be an overflow area for the Decker Boat Launch, which is just down the street, from which visitors can paddle on the calm, flat water of the Housatonic River and enjoy the scenic views of the October Mountain range in the near distance. The George L. Darey WMA in the Housatonic Valley, and the access that the parking area on New Lenox Road provides, make it an excellent destination for family-friendly outdoor activities in the Berkshires.