Mohawk Trail State Forest

About this park

Mohawk Trail State Forest protects roughly 6,000 to 8,000 acres of mountain ridges, deep gorges, and old-growth hemlock forest in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, divided by the clear, cold waters of the Cold River. The forest takes its name from the historic Mohawk Trail, a Native American footpath that once connected the Connecticut and Hudson River valleys, sections of which remain open for hiking today as the Mahican-Mohawk Trail. The forest is home to some of the tallest trees anywhere in the Northeast, with several documented record-height specimens growing in its sheltered valleys, and its rugged terrain of ridgelines and ravines has made it a favorite for scenic day hikes, offering river views, quiet woodland stretches, and access to rocky ledges and waterfalls along well-marked trails. More than 18 miles of rivers and streams within the forest support excellent trout fishing, a major draw for anglers throughout the season. A rustic campground with 53 sites and six overnight log cabins sits directly along the Cold River, alongside a dedicated swimming area, giving the forest a genuinely old-fashioned, back-to-nature camping experience. The forest sits directly along the scenic Mohawk Trail auto road (Route 2), one of New England's classic fall foliage drives, making it a natural stop for leaf-peepers as well as dedicated hikers and anglers.