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    Ashley Reservoir

    4.7 (36 reviews)

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    Sandra B.

    Highly recommend. Path is wide enough for walkers, runners, and bikers to share the space. The loop around the reservoir is a little over 4 miles. However there are options to a shorter loop. I went around 5pm. Passed several people. More than 50% of the pass was shaded at this time. Plenty of parking at the elks.

    Susan R.

    This reservoir is a true gem and one of the most gratifying easy walks around. You can adapt the loop to your time frame and ability. Great for biking too. There are ducks, lily pads, and there have been black bears sited. A super quiet escape from the city. I've walked here in summer and winter and always find joy here.

    Beautiful
    Enit S.

    I absolutely, positively recommend coming here if you want to embrace your inner hippie and take in nature's full beauty. What an incredible spot for pictures and of course; hiking! Maybe it's because I'm a Florida girl and all I'm use to seeing is the beach, swamp, and alligators, but I can't get over how scenic Ashley reservoir is. I really do think that no matter where you originally are from, you'll enjoy coming here. P.S. - I think bike riding here would be incredible too

    Mitch W.

    When visiting my friend in the Holyoke, MA area, we decided to take a hike at Ashley Reservoir and it was a great decision! After a short drive, we parked in the parking lot and walked through the gate (one of several), then walked down a gravel path lined on both sides with pretty, green trees! After a 5 minute walk, we started to see the water of the reservoir and with the sun, it was a beautiful sight! Please see my pictures. Once we got to the water, there were several paths we could take. We chose the one to the right because it went around a smaller portion of the reservoir, but it still took over an hour to walk around that portion. Beautiful place to take a walk or run or bike ride. (No dogs allowed). As for wildlife, we saw many turtles, fish, and birds. Check it out if you're in town. Xie Xie!!

    Jason C.

    It's getting 2 stars because it has become as over crowed as a Boston area campground. It's worse during covid. It used to be a peaceful place but not anymore.

    Small stream connecting to the reservoir

    Absolutely beautiful spot to walk! Mostly flat and either paved or loose gravel for footing. Lots of opportunities to see wildlife in the water as well as around the area. Very cool to visit throughout the seasons to see the different changes.

    Trail to the reservoir
    Don P.

    What an incredible outdoor park situated between three different lakes with biking, jogging and walking trails throughout the entire area, this place is simply beautiful with many wooded as well as open trails to traverse. This is not a picnic spot because of the reservoir but don't miss the opportunity to visit and observe the very best that nature has to offer.

    Open Water
    Steven P.

    Best Kept Secret Walk-About. This park offers a great walk, run & bike about. Ducks and Geese. Very clear water and fish. The tall pines that surround the reservoir make it pop. The parking is very tight but I see it's the norm to park on RT 202. This is must go-to spot for all.

    Geese and ducklings
    Tammy S.

    My friend and her husband always talk about this place, and I finally got a chance to go. I see why they like to go as often as they do! (They go about 4 times a week!) Ashley Reservoir is a beautiful place tucked away in Holyoke. It has a nice path in which you can walk, jog or bike. The path is about a 4 mile loop that goes around the reservoir. Along the way you will see lots of wild life. There were a few different groups of geese and their ducklings. This was also a great place for watching birds too. Such as a red wing black bird and a cow head bird. Off the beaten path you will also see snakes. My friends husband has a keen eye for these things and can easily name different animal species (why I know all the names!) and he found water snake, garter snake and a ribbon snake. You can also see turtles, snapping turtles, rabbits and much much more! I just wish they had benches around the reservoir as it would be a perfect place to relax with a book. :)

    Heather R.

    This is my favorite place in all the lands of Holyoke. You can leave any stress that built up during the day behind, get in a 3 or 4 mile loop (sometimes during high rain or early spring, one of the paths through the water does get flooded, though, as it's very close to the water) and leave feeling great about life. There are quite a few organized races here throughout the year if cotton tshirts souvenirs are your thing, people are friendly, it's lush and beautiful, you get to see deer and beavers and turtles and all kinds of birds... how can you not love it? If you're there around sunset, be prepared to be wowed. The one drawback is that sometimes the Canadian geese (of which there are a lot in the summer when they're all back in town from their winter vacays) can be total hissing jerks to you. Especially during cute-little-goslings-everywhere season. Not even hissing birds can make this not be a five-star, wonderful place for a walk, run or bike, though!

    Melissa F.

    One of my favorite places in western MA. I live in the city, so finding a place like this that isn't too far from me, where I can go and enjoy a really beautiful area while I walk or run or bike, is a real blessing. No matter what time of year you go, Ashley Reservoir is gorgeous, and I find a new surprise every time I go. Adorable goslings, a fawn swimming across the water, a river otter that followed us as he swam, a loon, hawks, turtles...you never know what you'll see! And there are several different loops you can take, so whether you're in the mood for a half-mile stroll along the water or a five-mile jog around the whole reservoir, you'll be satisfied either way.

    Beautiful place for a hike
    Linda A.

    This place is lovely for a morning hike with children. We were on a road trip down to NY and we needed to stretch our legs. I am glad we did :)

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    4 years ago

    Very peaceful & well kept. Perfect spot to take a walk, jog or stroll with little ones

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    4 years ago

    What a beautiful place to walk in the early morning it's just gorgeous ! I love Ashley Reservoir

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    8 years ago

    Great easy place to walk around and enjoy the scenery. Very easy trail, with lots of ducks. Easy for walking or running.

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    16 years ago

    Great place to get you five miles in! It's lovely all year round.

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    Ask the Community - Ashley Reservoir

    How much is to get in there to hiking ? Also I have a service dog is he allowed?

    No charge, in my opinion service dogs are allowed anywhere and everywhere, however due to the nature of the reservoir, all dogs are prohibited. I double checked my signage pics to confirm this. Sorry, as this would be a great dog walk-about.

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    Review Highlights - Ashley Reservoir

    It is also a great place to look for some wild life.

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    Skinner State Park - Another comfortable quarters for couple and baby.

    Skinner State Park

    4.7(18 reviews)
    9.9 km

    Iconic set of rolling wooded hills over looking the Connecticut River and surrounding lowlands…read more Skinner State Park is approximately 3,000 acres once privately owned now overseen by the Mass DCR. There are an intertwining network of trails from the base, along the ridge, and through the wooded parkland. Bring a GPS and trail maps are available at the gates and in the Summit House. This was my first time hiking here. A life long buddy & hiking pal encouraged me to join him. He was excited to try out his new hip on some varying terrain. He drove in from Vermont, me from CT. Both of us aging (gracefully) we each used an adjustable pair hiking sticks, which did come in handy both ascending and descending the hills. We found the trails were all very well maintained and well traveled. There's a system of trail markers and blazes to follow. Keep in mind bikes and horse are allowed, so hikers, keep your eye open and give way to wheels & hooves. The Summit House does have access too by vehicle, but (!) parking is very limited up top and DRC Rangers control traffic flow. We parked very close to Hockanum Road (Rte 47) and hiked up. Views at the Summit House stunning 360 degrees. If the House is open (seasonally) take time to tour the former residence and Lodge. View from the House decks are even better. My foot recently repaired foot & my buddies new hip passed the test!

    Not a bad little park. Definitely follow yelps directions to get here cause if you ask your device…read moreit'll take you to a dead end spot. I've read other reviews about having to pay admission, I guess that's on some days? We didn't have to pay anything the day we went. Its about a 4 mile hike round trip if you start from the bottom. It's a steep climb too so if you're not use to it, you will get winded. The view at the top is worth it though. Definitely worth a hike at least once. At the top they have benches and grills to cook on, and of course the beautiful house with the 360 view.

    Photos
    Skinner State Park - Connecticut River looking Westward.

    Connecticut River looking Westward.

    Skinner State Park - Fantastic views on 360 degrees.

    Fantastic views on 360 degrees.

    Skinner State Park - Connecticut river

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    Connecticut river

    Bash Bish Falls - Waterfall blocked by unnecessary protection.

    Bash Bish Falls

    4.3(70 reviews)
    70.9 km

    It took me three attempts over three days to make it all the way to the waterfall, but it was so…read moreworth it! I took this journey at the start of February, and there was tons of snow on the ground. On the first day, I arrived at the Massachusetts parking lot around 3 PM I figured I had a good two hours before sundown. I turned back after walking a short way down the trail because it was so steep, I thought I was going to tumble into the river. When I got back, I watched a video of someone hiking on the Massachusetts side, and I realized that the trail is normally full of stairs This makes sense because it's very steep and that's why it's so short but because of the snow, the stairs are covered up I would definitely not recommend using the Massachusetts side in the winter On the second day, I got to the New York parking lot around 2 PM. I made it about halfway down the much more gradual and scenic trail before I turned back. I turned back because the sun disappeared behind the mountain, and it was dark and windy On the third day, I got to the New York side at 11 AM. This time I realized that the top of the trail is just always dark and windy because it's in a corridor between two mountain peaks. So I pressed on. It took me about one hour to get to the end of the trail. I walked pretty slowly and stopped to look at nature a lot. If you are not someone who is super confident staying on the path in the forest, these are fairly easy trails because it's just a straight line the whole way there and you are following the river the whole time. I'm so glad I didn't give up because the falls are one of the most beautiful magical things I've ever seen Instead of water flowing down through the ice, it was snow and slush bursting through the sections of the frozen waterfall the water exploding into 1 million tiny snowflakes from the top to the bottom I plan to come back here in the summer with my kids and I think they will really love it.

    Must see if you are in the area! Two parking lots -- one in NY and one in MA. We did the NY one…read morewhich leads up up a gradual, pretty easy hill about 20min until you reach the falls. Looks like the MA lot -- you go down a steep, shorter hill to reach the falls. Along the way you'll pass by a stream and an array of Fall leaves. When you reach the falls, there were many people who climbed the little railing and took the rocky steps down to the falls. It's worth it -- as it's beautiful and a great picture spot. Dog friendly too!

    Photos
    Bash Bish Falls
    Bash Bish Falls
    Bash Bish Falls

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    Ashley Reservoir - hiking - Updated May 2026

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