Places to Visit
The Franklin Land Trust owns conservation areas in Shelburne, Heath, Plainfield, and Buckland that are open to the public for passive recreation including hiking, fishing, bird watching, hunting and nature study. All of our conservation areas are managed under management plans that address public access and environmental education, wildlife habitat conservation and forestry management. We strive to improve all aspects of the properties with trail construction, workshops, invasive species control and work with local, state, federal and volunteer groups to achieve our goals.
*Recent snowstorms had weighed down trees, cracking branches and scattering them across the trail.
The Franklin Land Trust asks all visitors to proceed with caution when hiking. The wet snow and icy weather we have been getting recently increases the risk of falling limbs.
If you see debris blocking a trail, or anything else amiss at one of our trails, please contact us!
Our office number is (413) 625-9151
The following conservation areas are open for the public to enjoy:
- All
- Birding
- Botanizing
- Farmland
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Nature Study
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Scenic View
- Snowshoeing
- Walking
- Wildlife Habitat
Benson Place Blueberry Trail
A self-guided interpretive trail experience at Benson Place Blueberry Farm with incredible views and potential encounters with wildlife.
Betty Maitland Memorial Forest
Experience a variety of habitats – including a spectacular vernal pool supporting wood frogs and wood ducks – with the help of interpretive signs along the course of its three-quarter mile trail.
Big View Trail
This public access trail winds its way up a wooded ridgeline filled with mossy rock outcroppings and small stream crossings to the top of Old Wolf Hill.
Crowningshield Conservation Area
An abandoned dairy farm along the West Branch North River consisting of pasture, hayfield, wetland, woodlands, and coldwater fishery resources, home to native brook trout.
Dancing Fiddle Farm
Dancing Fiddle Farm has about a mile and a half of easy to moderate trails along Ruddock Creek and in neighboring woods.
Guyette Farm
Franklin Land Trust manages Guyette Farm with active agriculture, wildlife habitat, and community enjoyment as its primary goals for the property.
Madeline’s Meadow
A working hayfield, stewarded by the McKinnon family for over 80 years, with a short trail through a one-acre wooded area allowing walkers and picnickers to enjoy the scenic view.
Mohawk Trail Conservation Area
A former commercial nursery beloved for its cathedral-like woods and a point of access to one of western MA's most notable long-distance trails: the Mahican-Mohawk Trail.
Reeds Bridge Road
Enjoy access to Conway’s South River, miles of maintained trails and roads for hiking and birding, and just over 200 acres open for hunting.
Shelburne Falls Fire Tower Trail
This strenuous public access trail climbs 1.25 miles to the stone fire tower at the top of Mt. Massamet.
Walnut Hill Woods
A remarkable working forest home to species ranging from wood warblers to black bear with 2.5 miles of woods roads for a variety of activities.