Berkshire Natural Resources Council Somers Reserve

Fairview Road, Monterey, MA

About Somers Reserve

The Somers Reserve is a small, undeveloped property mainly used for hunting or primatively exploring the woods of the Berkshires. The land shares a border with Beartown State Forest, offering further conservation land to explore for those looking to get deeper into the forest. The eastern section of Beartown is similarly undeveloped but provides a much larger space to explore and hunt. However, hunters should be careful to not enter the Arthur Wharton Swann State Forest, a section of Beartown where hunting is prohibited.

Somers Reserve rests on hilly terrain, and the dense forest can make navigation a tricky adventure. With no water, the reserve is relatively dry. The forest contains deer, bobcats, fishers, and black bears, and a more diverse array of species can be found in Beartown. The reserve comprises classic Western Massachusetts mixed forestry with deciduous, coniferous, and evergreen trees, and it has a variety of flowering shrubs and wildflowers. The reserve acts as a buffer zone between developed areas in Monterey and the state forest.

Access is found on the west side of Fairview Road about three-quarters of a mile from its intersection with Main Road. Parking is along the side of the street. Visitors should be prepared to navigate the property independently without on-site amenities.