Willard Brook State Forest

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Willard Brook State Forest
Ashby - Route 119 in Willard Brook SF.jpg
Route 119 passing through
Willard Brook State Forest
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Willard Brook State Forest
Location in Massachusetts
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Willard Brook State Forest
Willard Brook State Forest (the United States)
Location Ashby and Townsend, Massachusetts, United States
Coordinates 42°39′25″N71°45′31″W / 42.6569009°N 71.7586223°W / 42.6569009; -71.7586223 [1]
Area2,929 acres (1,185 ha) [2]
Elevation387 ft (118 m) [1]
Established1930
Administrator Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Website Official website OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Willard Brook State Forest is a publicly owned forest with recreational features located in the towns of Ashby and Townsend, Massachusetts. The forest's fast-running brook and tree stands of a classic New England nature give it a character more in line with that of the forests found farther west in the state. It is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. [3]

Contents

History

The forest was established through state purchase of lands in 1930. While no Civilian Conservation Corps camp was established in this state forest, CCC workers from other areas were active here at various times from 1933 to 1940, developing recreational features at Damon Pond and Trap Brook Falls. [4]

Activities and amenities

Forest trails are available for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. The Friends Trail connects with the campground at Pearl Hill State Park. The forest also offers a campground, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and restricted hunting. [3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Pearl Hill Brook Pond". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. "2012 Acreage Listing". Department of Conservation and Recreation. April 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Willard Brook State Forest". Department of Conservation and Recreation. July 5, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  4. Beth McKinney, ed. (January 1999). "The Civilian Conservation Corps: A Statewide Survey of Civilian Conservation Corps Resources". Massachusetts Office of Historic Resources. pp. 53–54. Retrieved February 28, 2017.