List of old growth forests in Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of old growth forests in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Old growth is defined as those forests that have not been logged (and have not been significantly disturbed by human beings) in the last 150 years. "Virgin forests" are those old growth forests that show no sign of having ever been logged.
A total of 2742 acres (1,109.6 ha) of old growth forest has been identified in Massachusetts. Massachusetts' old growth occurs almost entirely within the Northeastern Highlands ecoregion. The following list identifies some of the sites and their locations:
A total of 2742 acres (1,109.6 ha) of old growth forest has been identified in Massachusetts. Massachusetts' old growth occurs almost entirely within the Northeastern Highlands ecoregion. The following list identifies some of the sites and their locations:
| Name | Location | Size (ha) | Coordinates | Elevation (m) | Aspect |
| Burgoyne Pass | Beartown State Forest Beartown State Forest Beartown State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Monterey. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation .-Description:... |
1.2 | 42°16′3"N 73°17′8"W | 390-470 | S–SW |
| Ice Gulch | East Mountain State Forest | 3.6 | 42°9′30"N 73°19′18"W | 405–440 | SE–SW |
| Cold River: Route 2 to Black Brook | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... /Cold River Virgin Forest Cold River Virgin Forest Cold River Virgin Forest was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in April 1980.Located within Mohawk Trail State Forest nine miles southeast of North Adams in Berkshire County... |
38.4 | 42°38′7"N 72°58′48"W | 350–420 | NW–NE |
| Cold River: Route 2 to Black Brook Picnic Area | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... /Cold River Virgin Forest Cold River Virgin Forest Cold River Virgin Forest was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in April 1980.Located within Mohawk Trail State Forest nine miles southeast of North Adams in Berkshire County... |
14.2 | 42°37′48"N 72°58′0"W | 320–450 | N–NW |
| Lower Gulf Brook | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
6.1 | 42°37′53"N 72°59′52"W | 380–415 | NW |
| Manning Brook | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
6.1 | 42°38′23"N 72°59′20"W | 375–420 | NE |
| Black Brook Black Brook -Towns:* Black Brook, New York, in Clinton County* Black Brook, Wisconsin, in Polk County-Rivers:In England* Black Brook , a small river in Lancashire* Black Brook, West Yorkshire, a small river near CalderdaleIn New Jersey... |
Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
10.1 | 42°37′45"N 72°58′12"W | 360–500 | N–NW |
| Tannery Falls Tannery Falls Tannery Falls is a waterfall on Tannery Creek located near the city of Munising, Michigan. The falls drop into an impressive sandstone canyon. There is a cave behind the falls. The level of water coming over the falls can vary greatly depending on snow melt or rainfall. Tannery Falls is one of the... |
Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
3.6 | 42°37′39"N 73°0′12"W | 390–420 | NW |
| Todd and Clark Mountains | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
80.9 | 42°38′50"N 72°56′45"W | 330–460 | Varied |
| Trout Brook West | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
6.1 | 42°37′57"N 72°56′19"W | 410–450 | E |
| Hawks Mountain | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
2 | 42°37′45"N 72°55′34"W | 360–410 | NW |
| Thumper Mountain | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
0.8 | 42°38′23"N 72°56′6"W | 250–270 | NE |
| Middle Cold River to Route 2 | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... / Savoy Mountain State Forest Savoy Mountain State Forest Savoy Mountain State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Savoy and Florida. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... / |
18.2 | 42°38′3"N 72°59′29"W | 360–415 | N |
| Upper Cold River | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... / Savoy Mountain State Forest Savoy Mountain State Forest Savoy Mountain State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Savoy and Florida. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
32.4 | 42°39′7"N 73°1′0"W | 390–450 | Varied |
| Upper Gulf Brook | Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest Mohawk Trail State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Charlemont. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... / Savoy Mountain State Forest Savoy Mountain State Forest Savoy Mountain State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Savoy and Florida. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
8.1 | 42°37′59"N 73°0′43"W | 380–415 | NE |
| Bear Swamp Bear Swamp Bear Swamp is a forested parkland in Ashfield, Massachusetts. The Trustees of Reservations owns and maintains the property.Though Bear Swamp was once a sheep pasture and later a source of cordwood and lumber, it now seems much like an untouched wilderness. The landscape is irregular,... |
Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Monroe and Florida. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation .-Description:... |
12.1 | 42°41′50"N 72°57′31"W | 360–480 | E |
| Dunbar Brook | Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Monroe and Florida. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation .-Description:... |
8.1 | 42°42′14"N 72°58′8"W | 390–490 | NE |
| Parsonage Brook | Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Monroe and Florida. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation .-Description:... |
1.6 | 42°42′44"N 72°58′46"W | 470–510 | NW |
| Spruce Mountain Spruce Mountain Spuce Mountain is a mountain in Elko County, in the northeastern section of the state of Nevada in the Great Basin region of the western United States. The summit is at .... |
Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Monroe and Florida. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation .-Description:... |
1.6 | 42°42′52"N 72°59′56"W | 600–670 | SE |
| Smith Brook-Deerfield River Deerfield River Deerfield River is a river that runs for from southern Vermont through northwestern Massachusetts to the Connecticut River. The Deerfield was historically influential in the settlement of western Franklin County, Massachusetts, and its namesake town... |
Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Monroe and Florida. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation .-Description:... |
1.6 | 42°41′58"N 72°58′56"W | 360–450 | NE |
| Hunt Hill | Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest Monroe State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Monroe and Florida. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation .-Description:... |
2.8 | 42°41′25"N 72°58′53"W | 520–600 | SE |
| Mount Everett Mount Everett Mount Everett at 2,624 ft - or 800 m - is the highest peak in the south Taconic Mountains of Massachusetts. The mountain is known for its expansive views of the southern Taconics and Berkshires; for its fragile ecosystem of old growth pitch pine and scrub oak; and for its rare plant and animal... -Glen Brook |
Mount Everett State Reservation Mount Everett State Reservation Mount Everett State Reservation is a state park located in the town of Mount Washington, Massachusetts, USA. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
14.2 | 42°6′37"N 73°25′32"W | 490–560 | NE |
| Mount Everett Mount Everett Mount Everett at 2,624 ft - or 800 m - is the highest peak in the south Taconic Mountains of Massachusetts. The mountain is known for its expansive views of the southern Taconics and Berkshires; for its fragile ecosystem of old growth pitch pine and scrub oak; and for its rare plant and animal... -Guilder Pond |
Mount Everett State Reservation Mount Everett State Reservation Mount Everett State Reservation is a state park located in the town of Mount Washington, Massachusetts, USA. The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:... |
1.6 | 42°6′36"N 73°26′22"W | 610–630 | SW |
| The Hopper | Mount Greylock State Reservation Mount Greylock State Reservation Mount Greylock State Reservation is a Massachusetts state park that was created in 1898 as Massachusetts' first public land for the purpose of forest preservation. It is located on its namesake Mount Greylock.-History:... |
46.5 | 42°39′2"N 73°9′58"W | 540–720 | Varied |
| Stony Ledge | Mount Greylock State Reservation Mount Greylock State Reservation Mount Greylock State Reservation is a Massachusetts state park that was created in 1898 as Massachusetts' first public land for the purpose of forest preservation. It is located on its namesake Mount Greylock.-History:... |
4 | 42°38′54"N 73°11′34"W | 675–720 | NE |
| Mount Williams | Mount Greylock State Reservation Mount Greylock State Reservation Mount Greylock State Reservation is a Massachusetts state park that was created in 1898 as Massachusetts' first public land for the purpose of forest preservation. It is located on its namesake Mount Greylock.-History:... |
10.1 | 42°40′32"N 73°9′59"W | 510–600 | NW–NE |
| Roaring Brook Roaring Brook The Roaring Brook is a tributary of the Cruser Brook. It is found in Somerset county, New Jersey, United States.-Course:The Roaring Brook starts at , on Sourland Mountain. It flows southeast until it joins the Cruser Brook at the edge of Sourland Mountain at .-External links:*... |
Mount Greylock State Reservation Mount Greylock State Reservation Mount Greylock State Reservation is a Massachusetts state park that was created in 1898 as Massachusetts' first public land for the purpose of forest preservation. It is located on its namesake Mount Greylock.-History:... |
10.1 | 42°37′44"N 73°12′5"W | 550–630 | N–NW |
| Mount Wachusett Wachusett Mountain Wachusett Mountain may refer to:* Mount Wachusett, the highest point in Worcester County, Massachusetts* Wachusett Mountain , the name of a ski area on the same mountain... |
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation Mount Wachusett Mount Wachusett is located in the towns of Princeton and Westminster in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It is the highest point in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River. The mountain is named after a Native American term meaning "near the mountain" or "mountain place". The mountain is a... |
80.9 | 42°29′0"N 71°53′0"W | 425–520 | Varied |
| Bash Bish Falls Bash Bish Falls Bash Bish Falls, a waterfall in Bash Bish Falls State Park in the Taconic Mountains of southwestern Massachusetts , is the highest waterfall in the state... |
Mount Washington State Forest Mount Washington State Forest Mount Washington State Forest is a scenic state forest in the southern Taconic Mountains of the southwestern Berkshire region of Massachusetts. It has 30 miles of trails for hiking, as well as offering wilderness camping, fishing, horseback riding trails, and cross-country skiing... |
15.4 | 42°6′47"N 73°29′43"W | 415–485 | N–NE |
| Mount Race Mount Race Mount Race, , is a prominent peak in the south Taconic Mountains of Massachusetts. The mountain is known for its waterfalls, ridgeline cliff face and expansive views of the Housatonic River valley and Berkshires to the east, and for its pitch pine and scrub oak summit ecosystem... |
Mount Washington State Forest Mount Washington State Forest Mount Washington State Forest is a scenic state forest in the southern Taconic Mountains of the southwestern Berkshire region of Massachusetts. It has 30 miles of trails for hiking, as well as offering wilderness camping, fishing, horseback riding trails, and cross-country skiing... |
2 | 42°4′39"N 73°25′47"W | 645–710 | Varied |
| Sages Ravine-Bear Rock Falls | Mount Washington State Forest Mount Washington State Forest Mount Washington State Forest is a scenic state forest in the southern Taconic Mountains of the southwestern Berkshire region of Massachusetts. It has 30 miles of trails for hiking, as well as offering wilderness camping, fishing, horseback riding trails, and cross-country skiing... |
4.9 | 42°3′18"N 73°26′4"W | 350–420 | N |
| Alander Mountain Alander Mountain Alander Mountain, is a prominent peak of the south Taconic Mountains; it is located in southwest Massachusetts and adjacent New York. Part of the summit is grassy and open and part is covered with scrub oak and shrubs; the sides of the mountain are wooded with northern hardwood tree species.... |
Mount Washington State Forest Mount Washington State Forest Mount Washington State Forest is a scenic state forest in the southern Taconic Mountains of the southwestern Berkshire region of Massachusetts. It has 30 miles of trails for hiking, as well as offering wilderness camping, fishing, horseback riding trails, and cross-country skiing... |
2 | 42°5′7"N 73°28′48"W | 585–610 | SW |
| Windsor Jambs | Windsor State Forest | 1.2 | 42°31′20"N 72°59′35"W | 430–475 | SW |