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Otter River State Forest is located in north central Massachusetts. From the east: Take Rte. 2 west to exit 20, then right onto Baldwinville Rd. to the end, right again onto Rte. 202 north. Follow 202 north 1.2 miles to the park entrance on the left. From the west: Follow Rte. 2 east to exit 19. Turn right onto Rte. 202 north and travel 4.7 miles to the park entrance on the left.
General Description: The beautiful Birch Hill Management Area located north central Massachusetts is home to the popular Otter River day-use facility, centered on Beamon Pond ( near the main entrance). It includes a campground (yurts available) with restrooms and showers, picnic areas and a designated swimming beach. To the north is the larger Lake Dennison Recreation Area. It also has a campground, picnic area and lifeguarded swimming beach. It is adjacent to the more than 50 miles of mountain bike trails in the Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area. In such a large area, a multitude of habitats are represented. Mixed hardwood and conifer forest interspersed with open fields, brush lands and shallow-water grass hummock marshes support a variety of wildlife. Besides deer, pheasant, duck, woodcock, turkey, rabbit and grouse, beaver, fox and mink, on any given day you could see a Moose standing in a marsh or a family of River Otters playing in the water. Look to the sky and you may see a majestic Osprey riding the thermals, a hunting Red Tailed Hawk, a Great Horned Owl at rest in a tree or a spindly Great Blue Heron standing in his rook.
The Trails: It is not recommended to ride these trails during hunting season; this is a popular hunting area. It's a good idea to bring a trash bag with you as this is a carry in\carry out area. Stay on the marked roads and trails. There are over 50 miles of roads and trails in the Birch Hill Management Area for multiple use recreation including mountain biking. All of the suggested rides below are around the lake Denison Area and travel on either gravel roads or dirt trails. The yellow gates are closed to prevent motor vehicle traffic. The terrain is mostly flat with a few short climbs. As you explore the reservoir, you can see evidence that this area was once open pasture land. Look for the fieldstone walls that crisscross the area and clusters of overgrown apple trees which mark where orchards once flourished. Today the former pastures and orchards are filled with forest stands consisting of pine, oak, maple, hemlock, beech, and ash. River Road Loop: 5.2 miles (see map above). You can shorten the loop by taking one of the connector trails. Wetmore Trail: 3-mile loop that connects to New Boston Road eventually linking you back up with Goodnow Road. Royalston Road Loop: 1.4 mile loop that crosses Priest Brook Twice.
For more information: Otter River State Forest: Phone: (978) 939-8962
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