Seeing that we were already on a "recreational adventure" to the great state of (legal recreational marijuana) Massachusetts, we stopped for some natural highs at Mt. Tom State Reservation on the drive home to Connecticut. I remember night skiing, under the lights, when I was a youngin'. The drive we took (yes, we were drive-hiking on this visit) thru the park just before the sun started to set, was filled with so much natural wonder and memorable scenery and greenery that even I, an avowed (and par-for-the-course, lazy) pothead, am compelled to write this 5 star review, if only so that more of my fellow nutmeggers may have the same experience. The most strenuous climb was handled by the Prius, but the most scary climb was up the wooden observation tower, with views over seemingly the entire Western half of the state of Massachusetts. If it was still open, and winter, and I still had the gear, and the weather was perfect, it was conceivable that I could still ski down, I told my girlfriend. And then we drove home thru (and with!) the trees. read more

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Nice trail to go on with other trails along it if you wanted something longer. It was a simple trail that's was easy to follow with the marks and enjoyable with friends. read more

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Absolutely beautiful here. Nice and quiet. My only issue is I was charged $20 instead of $5 and I'm a Mass resident.

There are soo many trails here at this park. All ranging from beginners-mountain climbers. I love to come here because its SO peaceful; you can just feel the peace the minute you drive in. Plenty of parking; there is one location for the bathrooms. There is a trail the the mount tom summit about halfway drive to the end of the park. There is also a cute little peak hidden if you drive all the way to the end and park near the visitor center. read more

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This is an excellent, A+ venue. We had about 30 family and friends in attendance for a wedding. Approximately 16 stayed at the Mt. Tom House for the 3 day retreat. The rooms were beautiful and very roomy. Fresh flowers in each room. Spotlessly clean and beautiful. An unbelievable fresh homemade breakfast each morning! Fresh muffins, eggs, bacon; just delicious! read more

I would hike here every single day if I lived in the area. They have lots of trails to choose from including one that leads to cascades but unfortunately we didn't have time on this visit to get there. Speaking of time, it goes by extremely fast when you're here so plan accordingly. At first I couldn't understand why they close so early (4pm during fall/winter) but you quickly understand that by 5 it's already dark, and this is undoubtedly done as a safety measure. It's so scenic, with various places to have a picnic, BBQ or just go hiking. I am already making plans to return in the Spring for a picnic. read more

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Great moderate effort trail! Big tip: BRING BUGSPRAY. You will be eaten alive. No joke. Shady woodsy area. We took the M&M And beau bridge trails per park ranger. Went up goat's peak tower and had a beautiful 360 view including Connecticut! Some signs could have been marked clearer so bring a good navigator - a random trail might present itself and lead you off path a little... Just bring some bug spray. read more

Mount Tom State Reservation - Cascade creek - Hiking Near Me - Holyoke, Massachusetts

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I went hiking here on Sunday in Feb. Despite the fact in the middle of winter, there was not much snow. I didn't use microspikes until going down from Mt.Tom. Mt.Tom has a good view of town and surrounding hills. Here it is good for dogs. I saw many dogs and pet some. It was fun. read more

Rising up just east of Ma. 141 and back down to earth just a half mile away where I-91 comes whizzing by, the mini-mountain collection called Mt. Tom is over as abruptly as it started after rising from up from the towns of Easthampton and Southampton. This truncated topography is in most dramatic evidence as you head south on 91 with Northampton in your rear-view mirror. Ahead of you lies the starkly elevated block of terrain that forms Mount Tom State Reservation. The hills are so abbreviated that you can't bring yourself to believe that 91 will be skirting the reservation's east flank, rather than brushing by on the west side as you size it up from as close as two miles away. Should you take the time to pop into the park's grounds, however, you can spend weeks hiking its myriad, serpentine trails. And if you're feeling both rebellious and foolhardy you can attempt to scale and race down these footpaths on a mountain bike. Keep your hands poised at all times to depress the brake handles, however, for the drops can be both precipitous and severely rutted. But if you're looking for a lovely, laid-back, ensconced-in-the-woods hike rather than a death-defying stunt, then you've very much come to the right place. There are trails which girdle the circumference of the hills and there are others which bisect the interior of the park to immeasurably shorten distances from one side to the other. Streams will frequently accompany your walks, with mini-waterfalls cropping up with unexpected regularity. It's wonderful terrain to walk your dog, as the trails are never so challenging as requiring you to make a choice between letting go of your pup for an innocent instant or risk a limb-threatening tumble. There are two entry points, one off 141, the other pretty much directly under 91. The 141 side features a wonderful approach on the shelf of the upper elevations. With crescent-shaped turnouts and viewing windows cut out of the canopy of hillside timbers, this sneak preview of the park bears more than a little in common with the Blue Ridge Parkway of Virginia. The east side features an entrance scarcely less scenic, as you wind your way in a graceful curve around Lake Bray, the terminus for many of those brooks you'll encounter loping through the hills. The trails are reasonably well-marked and none run so long that peril awaits you if you stray from your intended line of exploration. Remember, these hills spring up with no warning and they fall back to level ground just as quickly. This fascinating little section of Massachusetts geography even made it to the NBC Nightly News a couple of summers ago when a microburst felled a significant volume of trees hugging the steepest slopes of the reservation. You know how the evening news loves those weather stories that can deliver visual thrills on a shoestring budget! Well, Mt. Tom got a walk-on part for one such report. The devastation, of course, is still visible today. As it will be until nature replenishes what it took from itself. read more

Mount Tom State Reservation - The hikes never get too uncomfortably hot in the reservation, but waterfalls are on call just in case - Hiking Near Me - Holyoke, Massachusetts

The hike to the summit of Mount Tom is on the less strenuous side, offering excellent views, and few crowds. The trail starts out a bit steep, but evens out to mainly easy, gentle areas that skirt the edge of the mountain. Due to the sheer drop of the rock face, the Metacomet-Monadnock trail offers many great vistas, overlooking the city of Holyoke. There is minimal trash on the trail, and I only encountered one broken bottle. There is some stagnant water in spots, so be prepared for bugs. The trail is covered in scree at many points, giving it a real mountain feel. Rare for a mountain, the summit is the only disappointing feature. It's covered in deteriorating cement structures and radio antennae. Still, the view from up top is great. It'll only take you about an hour to make it to the top, and about half an hour to get back down; making this four mile hike a quick getaway. It costs $2 to drive into the park, and the road is a little beat up in spots. If you don't feel like hiking anywhere, there are a few pulloff spots which offer nice views. Also, be careful pulling back out onto the main road. It can be a little sketchy. read more

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Wow! We recently came here during the weekend to spend some time in nature and have to say that we had a blast here. When we drove into the park we weren't quite sure what to expect since the driveway is through a residential area. When we got to the gate we also weren't expecting the reservation to be so large. This place was huge and had a little bit of everything in it. When we were driving to the viewing tower which is towards the rear end of the park, we passed by a ton of great picnic and grilling areas. We also passed by their awesome pond and playground area which was packed with people having a great time. When we got to the viewing tower we picked a table, whooped out our mini grill, and spent a few hours hanging out and enjoying the sounds of nature. Overall, this is a great park with a ton of activities and hiking trails. The next time that we stop here we are going to take some time to walk the trails before taking a dip in the water. read more

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I love hiking in this park! I bring a picnic and you'll have a blast. There's a beautiful playground and tons of picnicking and grilling areas scattered throughout. The trails are true to the map and well marked. It does tend to get packed on the weekends and nice days, but being in the beauty of nature is so worth it. read more

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Growing up Mt. Tom had been one of the greatest places to visit for a young guy from Holyoke, MA. You can no longer ski, visit Mountain Park, or ride the alpine slide, but you can still enjoy the gorgeous landscape of the reservation. My personal favorite place to visit on the mountain is the ruins of the Summit House. The nightlife here is awesome! The sky opens up to hundreds of stars, satellites, and countless meteor showers! Don't forget the bug spray or you'll get eaten alive. Important: "Give A Hoot, Don't Pollute!!!" read more

Its alright. Not anything super amazing hiking wise but a good way to spend an afternoon if your bored. Trails are hard to follow

I've been going to Mt. Tom on and off for most of my life, but it's only been recently that I've really stated hiking it and learning the whole area. There is always something new to find. Whether you're after a great hike (there are SO MANY trails to choose from, and all are well marked), an amazing view (again, LOTS to choose from! The lake or the summit or the watchtowers or just driving along the road from the watchtowers back to the main road), time spent with friends or family (the lake is a great spot for a picnic), or just a neat thing to see (the ruins of the old Eyrie House are VERY cool, and make sure to stop and read the sign outlining the history!), I guarantee you'll find something to spark your interest. Mt. Tom is one of my very favorite things about living in western MA. read more

Mount Tom State Reservation - Hiking Near Me - Holyoke, Massachusetts

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Pretty awesome hiking in Western Mass. The hike to Mt. Tom is not too difficult and offers sweeping views of the valley below. During autumn the bathrooms are closed but the colorful foliage makes it worth the post-season trek. If you wander off and do some extra trails you can get a decent amount of mileage in. If you go during the season, there is a small entrance fee. I'm not sure when they stop charging, but I'm sure it's around the same time that the facilities close Also, be prepared to be out of the park by 4pm in the off season, as the park closes early. It is a beautiful park and offers several different options for outdoor-sy fun. It's well worth the drive from the Providence area for a lovely day trip. read more

Nothing bad to say this place is amazing. Beautiful views surrounded by nature what more could you ask for. This was my first visit with snow still on the ground and it sure didn't change anything for me. read more

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Spent the afternoon hiking and taking in the scenery. Great park! It's well maintained and very clean, no trash. read more

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I came half-prepared for my glorious Mount Tom hike: Bug spray, check! Sunscreen, check! Good shoes, check! Near-crippling fear of falling, check! If it hadn't been for my irrational and occasionally overwhelming fear of falling off the side of literally any incline, this would have been a terrific hike; as it is, it was still a good one, and I still made it all the way to the top and back down and only cried once. (This is a victory for me!) It is a bit more strenuous than I anticipated (fears aside), but the views are just spectacular. Not to be missed if you live in MA! We'll surely be back for a shorter hike on some of the many other paths. read more

Been hiking, fishing, and walking my dogs there for 30+ years. PLEASE clean up after your dogs!!! There is dog poop everywhere.

I love this place! I'm always looking for places to walk my dog. There are so many different trails and I've yet to conquer them all.

I love this mountain and cant say enough good things about it. Where to start? First and foremost Mt Tom has the best (in my honest opinion) hiking in the Pioneer Valley! There are trails for all levels of hikers. All official trails are marked really well with blazes and signs with names of the trails. The trail map is easy to follow. There are trails for easy flat short hikes, moderate length hikes and difficult long hikes (The M+M trail on the south two peaks). There are four peaks to explore. They are Whiting Peak, Mt Tom, Goat Peak and Nonotuck. One can get in a quick 45 min hike or spend all day exploring. There are two lookout towers open to the public. Both offer exception views of the valley and Berkshires. There are ruins from the Eyrie House on the northern most peak that can be explored and climbed on. Great fun for kids. The ruins can be accessed by either the M+M trail or a semi paved (not open to cars) road from the visitors center near the playground. There is a brand new playground with rock climbing for kids, swings, and slides. It is in great condition and right next to one of the picnic areas. The kids will love it. Its by the visitors center by the rotary in the center of the park. There are picnic sites throughout the park. Plenty of parking. A small lake for hanging out by and fishing. Picnic areas next to the lake. Open public restroom. Please continue reading....the best parts are to follow. The roads were just paved 2 years ago and are smooth as can be! This makes for some great road cycling (sorry mountain biking is not allowed on the trails here). Enter the park from the Route 141 entrance in Easthampton by the Log Cabin. Ride straight down to the rotary in the center of the park. Right at the rotary then follow the roads eastbound towards the Route 5 entrance in Holyoke. Great rolling hills, mostly downhill and some challenging uphills. Tons of fun on a road bike! Only about a 5 mile route. Some more 'local knowledge' stuff....Mt Tom is an abandoned ski area. The old ski area can be accessed from Mountain Park Access Rd in Holyoke. Park by Whiting Res. Then hike northbound (right) up the road that goes around the back of the amphitheater. This road takes you up to the abandoned ski buildings. Dont go in them. They are boarded up and most likely alarmed. But you can hike up around them and up the old ski slopes and explore the remains of the old chairlifts. Going straight up the ski slope will take you to the summit of the range and to the M+M trail (white trail). Also if you hike past the ski area and quarry you can access the lower trails. There is much more to be explored. So head up there and have a blast. Please no hunting or littering!!!! read more

This place is a favorite of both my dog and myself. Miles of trails with a huge variety of terrains. It is free admission during the week and a small entry fee on weekends. There are restrooms available in one of the public buildings. There are activity areas for each age group in the park. Fishing is allowed but not very good here, hunting is not allowed. read more

So close to 5 stars, but having to pay to access half of the park bums me out. Great hiking and trail running year round, one of the best hikes in the southern valley area! read more

The views are spectacular, but the trails can be a little difficult to follow at times, did I mention the views are amazing!

Oh yes this place is amazing!!! Find it in the fall when the fog get thick over the mountain and you have yourself an amazing location! This is really a site to see if your in the area. Well done! read more

Mt Tom is great spot to go hiking. First off Yes you have to pay on the weekends but NO you do not have to pay on the weekdays. Mt. Tom offers a huge variety of trails and parking locations. This variety allows you to park closer to some trail heads and gives you a much greater variety of options (longer or shorter hikes). You could be walking around all day and never pass another person because the huge variety of trails. Mt. Tom has a Bray Lake full of turtles and fish, a beaver dam, streams, bird watching towers, Eyrie house ruins and multiple scenic views. Whenever I am hiking around I see all sorts of wildlife snakes, newts, deer and even a black bear. read more

This is a great place to go hiking . But the hours are horrible and the days you have to pay. Like really ? I would like to do nice stuff for free / you should ask for tips not payment to come in .. read more

Miles and miles of hiking trails with varying terrain. Easy trails that parallel the road, difficult trails that scale the top of the ridge line. Lots of things to explore: abandoned ski area, quarry, eyrie ruins, multiple towers (used for bird watching and great scenic views!), access road... Always something to check out. Trails are in good condition and labeled. Easy to hike even in the fall when leaves cover the trail - just follow the painted tree markings! You can hike a simple mile or spend all day hiking twenty. During the spring, if you can battle the terrain, travel a bit off the trails to the scenic little waterfalls! If you are a senior, a beginner hiker, a parent with young kids, check out their group hikes! Mount Tom offers a free hiking tour through some simplistic trails. Aside from hiking, there is a visitors center, private picnic areas tucked into the woods, open fields which are great for larger gatherings, a pavilion, and large playground. Bathrooms at one end of the mountain, and port-o-potties on the other. Grounds are well maintained. Hours are reliable. There are places to park outside of the main entrances if the gates are closed. Bray Lake is a small body of water where you can view geese, ducks, and the occasional fish or turtle. Great place to bring the kids! Price to park is okay ($6 in state, $8 out of state) and seasonal passes are available. I believe parking is free during the week. read more

Nice Hike, not to shabby. You should bring a truck load of bug spray! The reservation allows pets so mommy's and daddy's bring your four legged kids! The trails are well marked IMO hardly any faded marks. Fishing area for whom ever likes to fish, picnic areas as well. The Bathrooms have soap and TOILET paper *happy dance*. cool abandoned ski slope tons of graffiti/art. Fiance and I t totally wasn't prepared enough, we were starving so we headed back, we will return again! read more

Stunning hikes. Trails are a bit rocky but EXTREMELY well managed and marked, some of the best maintained i've seen. Views are incredible, MUST hike up the top of the mountain and there are rocks you can sit on and look at the view. Highly recommend for a afternoon hike. read more

Hiked a trail up to an old antenna station this past fall with my husband. The view at the top was worth every step. The trail we hiked had been paved in the past making the hike less challenging. read more