Appalachian Trail - County Road
October Mountain State Forest
Washington, MA
Wildlife Viewing | Snowshoeing | Hiking
Washington Mountain Marsh Trail 317 Woodland Road, Washington, MA
Managed by
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Part of
October Mountain State Forest
Allowed Uses & Features
Information
- Dogs allowed - Leashed
- Free
- Low Visitation
- Parking
- Primitive
- Scenic View
- Water Views
Trail entrance
- Public Land
- Private Land
- Bus Route
- Trail
- Major Trail
About Washington Mountain Marsh Trail
The Washington Mountain Marsh Trail is a 3.6-mile hiking loop located in October Mountain State Forest. The trail earns its name from the surrounding landscape as it travels nearby and over several wetland areas. Much of the trail is dirt, and narrow wooden footbridges allow hikers to walk over the marsh and its tributary streams. Short evergreens surround and crowd portions of the forested path, while tall oaks and maples reach over other sections to create the feeling of a more spacious forest.
The varying landscapes of the Washington Mountain Marsh Trail provide a wilderness experience unique to Western Massachusetts and exposes visitors to diverse wildlife. The area's inhabitants include beavers, deer, bears, moose, and several bird species. Notable bird sightings include the American bittern, scarlet tanager, and kingfisher, among other rare species that make the trail a premier location for birding in the Berkshires.
October Mountain is 16,500 acres, making it the largest state forest in Massachusetts. Its expansive area provides space for many additional outdoor recreation opportunities, such as snowmobiling or hunting. As a state forest, October Mountain is owned and managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Their website linked below lists site-specific rules and updates.
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Accessibility Assessment
There are no accessible features at this location.
The parking area for the Washington Mountain Marsh Trail is a hard-packed gravel lot with no accessible parking. From the parking area, visitors will enter the trail via a 4-foot-wide grassy trail. The Washington Mountain Marsh Trail is a 3.6-mile loop that runs around the edge of Washington Mountain Lake. The trail maintains a steady width of about 1 to 2 feet around the entire loop. Trail conditions on the loop can vary significantly; some sections feature boardwalks that cross the lake, while others are rocky and rooted, and still others are almost entirely overgrown, with the surrounding forest consuming the entire trail. The trail features many muddy sections and frequent standing water, and it can become slippery at certain points. Slopes around the lake also frequently exceed 12%. The trail is in a primitive condition, with infrequent maintenance, making trail conditions variable and ever-changing.
Parking area
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Nearby Locations
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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.
