Steadman Pond Berkshire Natural Resources Council Steadman Pond at Hudson-Howard

Monterey/Tyringham Road, Monterey, MA

About Steadman Pond at Hudson-Howard

Steadman Pond is a small but serene pond in Monterey with multiple outdoor recreational opportunities. A beloved local treasure, the pond offers 13 acres of water for swimming, fishing, and paddling. After a leisurely walk on a blissful quarter-mile meadow trail, a swimming dock appears where visitors enjoy jumping into the water for a relaxing swim. A grassy open space by the dock gives sufficient space to place belongings or lay down a picnic blanket before entering the water. Those who wish to explore more of the pond can launch a small boat from this site, but they should remember they must carry it from the trailhead. Kayaking, canoeing, and standup paddleboarding are all excellent ways to explore the water and take in the beautiful surroundings of this Western Massachusetts gem.

Wildlife viewing is easy in and around the pond. Mammals like white-tailed deer and bobcats roam the forests, while birds like scarlet tanagers and pileated woodpeckers impress birding enthusiasts. Be on the lookout for great blue herons, as they occasionally appear at Steadman Pond. Anglers appreciate the pond's abundance of largemouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch. Historically, beaver activity maintained the area as a marshland, but the pond was formed when a stone dam was constructed in the early 1900s to power the Stedman Rake Factory in Tyringham.

The pond is located in the 790-acre Konkapot Ridge Reserve, a beautiful, undeveloped mixed forest that harbors a vibrant ecosystem. Although there are no maintained trails by the pond, visitors can find a collection of old logging roads to guide them through the forest. However, these roads can be challenging to follow. When the paths are somewhat clearer in the winter, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing can be fun ways to explore the forest. Multiple peaks around the pond offer the more adventurous visitors an opportunity to bushwhack up steep ledges through the rugged terrain of the Berkshires.

Access to the pond is found near the Monterey-Tyringham border on Tyringham Rd. A small trail sign and parking lot mark the trailhead. No amenities are available.