Mount Greylock State Reservation Photo: Jstergis / CC BY 3.0
United States › Massachusetts

Mount Greylock State Reservation

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Established: 1898, the first state reservation in Massachusetts
  • Size: about 12,500 acres (51 km²)
  • Highest point: Mount Greylock, 3,491 feet (1,064 m), the highest point in Massachusetts
  • Trail link: the Appalachian Trail crosses the summit
  • Gateway: Lanesborough, Adams and North Adams
  • Managed by: Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

The landscape

Mount Greylock rises above the Berkshires in northwestern Massachusetts. Northern hardwoods cover the slopes, giving way to a stunted spruce-fir forest near the summit, a rare boreal pocket in southern New England. The Hopper, a steep glacial valley on the west side, holds old-growth red spruce. Black bears, deer and many birds live here.

Best time to go

Summer and fall are the main seasons, with foliage peaking in early October. The summit roads close for winter, when snowshoers and skiers use the trails, including the historic Thunderbolt ski trail.

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Getting there and around

Rockwell Road climbs from the Lanesborough visitor center, and Notch Road from North Adams, both reaching the summit with its war memorial tower and Bascom Lodge. Trails climb from all sides, and the Appalachian Trail crosses the peak.

Things to do

Hikers climb from the valley on trails such as the Cheshire Harbor and Hopper trails, or follow the AT across the summit. Backpackers use shelters along the AT and in the reservation. From the summit, views reach across five states on clear days.

Staying safe

Summit weather can be much colder and windier than the valleys, with fog, ice and snow for much of the year. Carry layers and traction outside summer. Trails are steep in places. Store food properly at shelters in bear country, and leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

Summit road dates change each year. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions and road openings with Massachusetts DCR before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
42.6152, -73.1810
Magnetic declination
13.2° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

49 places in Mount Greylock State Reservation

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 2

Park entrance

Visitor centre

On the trail 11

Trailhead

Campgrounds

Huts and shelters

Sights 36

Viewpoints

Waterfalls

Heritage sites

Point of interest

Peaks 18

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeWeekend backpackingScenic driveWinter trip

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
MountainsForest
Key hazards
Sudden weather change on the summitIce and snow for much of the yearSteep trailsBlack bears
Best seasons
Summer, Fall (foliage), Winter (snowshoeing and skiing)
Difficulty
Easy to strenuous
Access / trailheads
The visitor center is on Rockwell Road in Lanesborough, off Route 7; Notch Road climbs from North Adams. Both summit roads are seasonal.
Water
Streams; treat all water. Water at the summit lodge in season.
Cell / satellite coverage
Good on the summit, patchy in the valleys.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
Backcountry shelters and campsites are first come or reserved through Massachusetts DCR. The summit road is closed in winter.
Leave No Trace
Camp at designated shelters and sites, stay on trail, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high60°F(16°C)16°C(60°F)
Average low38°F(4°C)4°C(38°F)
Rainfall4.3 in(109 mm)109 mm(4.3 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 7 minSunrise 7:04 a.m., sunset 6:12 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the N Adams Harriman Airport station, 6 miles (9 km)9 km (6 miles) away at 646 feet (197 m)197 m (646 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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