The 413 Mom

Summer 2019 List 1: Hiking #getoutside #gotakeahike

As we count down the last few days of school it's time to plan our summer adventures.  Here's a great list to help you find family-friendly hikes and nature explores this season. Hope these links are helpful for you too:

Massachusetts State Forests links (by region)

Massachusetts State Parks links (alphabetical list)

Massachusetts Bike Trails (by region)

Massachusetts Park Passport Program (if your kids need incentive to get out into nature)

Western Mass Hiking & Walking Trails

Scenic Hiking Spots in Western Mass

Mohawk Trail Hiking Spots

Berkshire Hiking Spots

Western Mass Hilltown Hikers

My Gotta Visit Hiking Spot Recommendations

New England Trail

*Don't forget -- we'll resurrect our daily "What to do with the kids tomorrow" posts beginning on June 24 to help you plan FREE and low cost summer fun all season long. Follow us on Facebook or subscribe to receive blog posts in your inbox.*

Here's to the best summer ever! 

Deals for Dads (and Grand Dads too!) #fathersdayfreebies

If you don't have special plans for Dad on Father's Day, June 16 is a great day to score him some free admission to many local attractions. Here's a rundown. 

If you want to stay close to home:

Historic Deerfield: FREE admission for all dads and grandfathers on June 19, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.,  Old Main Street, Deerfield.

Holyoke Merry-Go-Round: Dads and grandpas ride FREE with paying child, 221 Appleton St., Holyoke. 

Look Park: FREE train rides and unlimited rounds of mini golf for all dads, 300 North Main St., Florence (weekend parking fee applies).

Lupa Zoo: FREE admission for Dads with paid admission for their child, 65 Nash Hill Road, Ludlow. 

Old Sturbridge Village: FREE admission for Dads on June 18, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge. 

Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum: FREE admission for dads with paid child's admission, 14 Depot St., Shelburne Falls. 

 

If you're looking for a Road Trip: 

Canobie Lake Park: FREE admission and FREE lunch for Dads with one paid child admission, 65 N. Policy St., Salem, NH.

Connecticut Science Center: FREE admission for Dads on June 18, 250 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT. 

Connecticut Trolley Museum: FREE admission for Dads and Grandfathers with paid child's admission, special behind the scenes tour of current restoration projects, 58 North Road, East Windsor, CT. 

Davis Farmland: FREE admission for Dads with paid child admission to Farmland and Water Spray Park and FREE massages for dads from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling. 

The Dinosaur Place: FREE admission (including spray park) for Dads with paid child admission, 1650 Hartford-New London Turnpike, Oakdale, CT. 

Zoos: FREE or discounted admission for dads at many New England zoos including: Southwick Zoo (half-price admission for dads on June 15 & 16) in Mendon; Franklin Park Zoo in Boston (FREE for dads); Stone Zoo in Stoneham (FREE for dads). 

Happy Father's Day to all the 413 Dads!

Road Trip Worthy: Edaville Family Theme Park (Carver)

Just outside Cape Cod is a hidden gem of an amusement park....perfect for the littlest thrill seekers but still offering enough to keep the biggest kids happy. This space has all the magic of a rich historical site but also boasts some brand new updates worth the price of admission. 

When you enter Edaville, you might be underwhelmed. You look out on a large pond (the kids can try their hand at fishing here) and a tiny carousel. But looks can be deceiving. Once you get further into the park....your little Thomas fans will bust their buffers.

Historically, Edaville is regarded as one of the oldest heritage railroad museums in the country -- it opened in 1947 and visitors were welcome to ride locomotives around the large cranberry bog on the property. Not much of the original setup remains; however, the park was rededicated in 2015 as the new home to Thomas Land. I can't imagine a better place to bring your little engineer. 

Walking through Thomas Land is actually like being on the Island of Sodor. You can visit Tidmouth Shed, see the post office, ride on the troublesome trucks (a pretty fun roller coaster), fly in the air with Harold the Helicopter, take a lift with Bertie the Bus, visit with the peg people, and so much more. The setting and decorations are so, so, so much like the show. My girls enjoyed all the rides; but their favorite was actually the Sodor Play Zone -- an indoor climbing station/obstacle course with slides, stairs, nets, and hiding spots. This attraction is for ages 4-12 and they could have spent the whole day there. FYI: you HAVE to wear socks here. If your kids wear crocs or flops for the season bring socks in your bag. And of course, in Thomas Land, you can actually ride Thomas the train. 

Riding on the Thomas train is a great opportunity to recharge your batteries. It's a gentle, lengthy ride through the entire property -- if you need to feed an itty bitty here's your chance. The bigger kids will be enchanted by the conductor who comes by to punch their ticket and by watching the passing scenery. (No worries if you don't get a ticket when you board -- the conductor has extras on hand to pass out to little riders). 

Edaville is a sure to be a big hit with little dino fans too. Their Dino Land is a walk-through attraction hosting 23 life-like dinosaurs and a themed kiddie coaster. Although we didn't see any on our visit, the website boasts lots of classic kids character meet and greets on specific days: the Berenstein Bears, Madeline, the Hungry Catterpillar, Curious George, Pete the Cat and more. Check the calendar link to see when your child's favorite friend may be at Edaville. 

I adored the vintage rides -- all the classics: bumper cars, ferris wheel (what a beauty -- even when Faith and I got stuck at the top under a freak rain cloud...we'll never forget that ride), tilt-a-whirl, Scrambler. Edaville has all the rides I remember from when I was a kid and I loved being able to share them with the girls. There are so many other great kiddie rides too -- the spinning ladybug coaster was voted our personal favorite. All together, the park hosts 90 rides and attractions. 

I appreciate the low-key vibe at Edaville. I can easily get overwhelmed at the big theme parks but it's a slower pace here. And Thomas Land and the kiddie rides are all grouped close together so it's easy to divide and conquer if the kids want to try different rides. It's perfectly stroller friendly and there are food options scattered throughout the park (popcorn, burgers, pizza, sandwiches, fried dough, candy shop). We brought a picnic to eat in the car. Parking is FREE. 

If you have a Thomas fan I can't recommend this park enough. It's really magical for those who adore the little blue engine and his friends. And there are enough rides for the bigger kids that they'll be happy too. It's a great New England family destination. Residents of Massachusetts can purchase discounted tickets for only $30 by using this link (proof of residency required). Regular admission for ages 2 and up is $37. Kids under 2 are admitted FREE. There are a lot of special admission deals offered throughout the season as well -- for scouts, star students, military, teachers, etc. Follow these events and much more on their Facebook page. 

Edaville is located at 5 Pine Street in Carver, MA. They are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the season. There are special events off season as well. You can check it all out on their website. 

Gotta Visit: CT Section 21 New England Trail (Suffield, CT) #gotakeahike

The snow has finally melted and so we continue our quest to hike the entire New England Trail. This month's installment takes us to CT NET: Section 21 which takes us from Suffield, CT over the Massachusetts border into Southwick, MA. 

I love this trail; however, it is a trippy one. The path is clear (thank you to all the volunteers who maintain the NET!) but it is a rocky and rooty terrain. We all stumbled. A lot. You definitely need to pay attention to your underfoot. I was super impressed by the few trail runners we encountered on a Saturday afternoon -- but then we returned to the parking area and noticed the Spartan and BoneFrog bumper stickers on the vehicles and realized we had brushed shoulders with some real professionals. For us regular folks, approach this trail with caution. 

There are two great entry points to this trail: either from the Alcorn Wildlife Preserve on Mountain Road in Suffield, CT or from the Rising Corner trail head on Rising Corner Road in Southwick, MA. This section of the path is 2.3 miles. We actually had to break the trail into two hikes (it was our first time out for the season and we didn't want to discourage the younger members of our crew) but it is completely doable as a through hike if you park one vehicle at either end. 

Whichever end you start from, Section 21 is a fun hike with some steep terrain (your quads will definitely get a workout), a few makeshift bridges to traverse, and if you hike after a good rainfall you can pick your way across a small stream. There's enough here to keep hikers of all ages entertained. 

These power lines are a particular highlight: 

Once you pass by them coming in from the CT side, ignore the gravel path straight ahead -- look for the path back into the woods off to the left:

If you're coming in from the MA border -- walk along the lookout ridge and back into the woods -- you have to look carefully for the blazes in this area. Just know that the gravel path is not the hiking trail. 

If you're hiking in from the CT border, getting on the trail at the Alcorn Preserve is easy -- just look for the dirt pull-off parking on the edge of Mountain Road near the Preserve's large sign.

However, if you're starting on the MA side of the hike (Rising Corner) it's a bit trickier to find the trail. Park your car in the large, well-marked grassy field parking lot. Lock you car and then turn around and look across the road. When facing the large, white house, look to the left of the home. If you look closely at the left edge of their yard you'll see the white-marked trail head. This is the NET path (NOT the rather obvious-looking large path that edges the hemp field here. Do not trespass here like I did). This red star shows the entrance to the trail as seen from the parking area. 

You're looking for this post in the brush:

IMPORTANT Please note: since this trail crosses the Connecticut/Massachusetts border remember that the trail is marked with BLUE blazes in Connecticut and WHITE blazes in Massachusetts. There is a border sign to note but keep in mind the trail markers will change -- you're still on the right path just different colors to note. 

I would not recommend this trail to new hikers. Little hikers will need to be in a backpack/carrier. There are steep drop offs very close to the trail. This is a 2.3 mile hike -- it took our party of six (two six-year-olds, two teens and two adults) about an hour and 45 minutes. 

Some older blog posts you read will tell you that this section of the NET is a road walk -- this is no longer true. The property owners have generously granted access to hikers once again so the trail is completely open. And here's your gentle reminder that I always include with my NET posts -- access to these trails is often through private property. Please be respectful of the owners' land and STAY ON THE TRAIL. Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. 

There are no facilities on the trail -- use the potty before you go. Bring lots of water and snacks. Pro Tip: we always bring M&Ms as this section of the New England Trail is formerly known as the M-M (Metacomet-Monadnock) Trail. Set the GPS for Alcorn Wildlife Preserve, Mountiain Road, Suffield, CT or Rising Corner, Rising Corner Road, Southwick, MA. We hope you enjoy this hike as much as we did. See you on the trail! 

Road Trip Worthy: Animal Adventures (Bolton, MA)

Animal Adventures Family Zoo & Rescue Center in Bolton, MA is way cooler than a zoo. 

If you want to have an up close and personal experience with animals you may have only read about in books or seen on TV, come visit here. If you have an aspiring veteranarian at home, visit here. If you are interested in animal conservation, visit here. If you're looking for a memorable day trip about an hour from Springfield, visit here. Bottom line: just visit here. 

We spent a Sunday afternoon on site here in April and it was truly unforgettable. During our visit we got to interact with kangaroos, goats, llamas, geese, a crocodile, a toucan, a porcupine, an albino skunk, a corn snake, a kinkajous and so, so many more animals. (Find a list of their animals here). You'll see animals here that you didn't even know existed. Right here in Massachusetts! 

Animal shows are held throughout the day (11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.) where you can interact, pet and visit with some of the residents. I can promise you will learn more about any of these species during these 10-15 minute shows than watching a years' worth of Wild Kratts episodes. 

You can't visit here expecting a sterile zoo experience like when you visit one of the large regional zoos in the area. Animal Adventures is first and foremost a rescue center -- the love for animals comes first, presentation is not the priority. That being said, I can't think of another local zoo that allows you to get so close to the animals and offers so much interaction. Wear your boots or old shoes -- the grounds are dusty and/or muddy. I would recommend bringing a spare pair of shoes for everyone to change into upon arrival, then you can throw them in the trunk for the ride home (we visited on a rainy day and I'm so glad we did this). 

It's important to note that because all of the animals here have been rescued or rehomed -- some from less-than-ideal situations -- some of them may not look like the sparkly showcase animals you'd see at other zoos. Realize that this doesn't mean they are not living out there best lives here at Animal Adventures. It's a great learning opportunity for kids to see that all animals have an important role to play in ecosystems. 

If taking a general tour is not enough animal adventure for you -- there are options to book private tours, extreme tours or a zookeeper for a day experiences where you can get even more up close and personal with some of these rare species. This is a great birthday, anniversary or graduation gift idea. You can find pricing information here. 

You may have actually encountered an Animal Adventures program at a local school, church or recreational program -- they travel all around New England educating audiences about preservation. Visiting their home site as an unprecedented opportunity to interact with their animals in such a close, personal way. I cannot think of a better experience for any child who loves animals. It is amazing to witness how dedicated all of the staff and volunteers are on site. Their passion for protecting all species is a beautiful thing to see. Everything from a tiny frog named Booger to a giant anaconda. 

There is plenty of free onsite parking and the bathrooms are clean, but you need to bring your own lunch, snacks, and drinks. There are no concessions on site but there are picnic tables available. There is a Dunkin' about two miles away but other than that you are going to need the GPS to research dining options in the area.

The property is not large -- I wouldn't even recommend bringing a stroller. Even the newest walkers can toddle around on their own without tiring out or bring a carrier for the littlest visitors. A stroller will just be too cumbersome here. The site also features a large playscape area where little visitors can work out their wiggles. 

Bring some small bills if you'd like to purchase cups of grain to feed the goats and alpacas. Or, if you're lucky, you might catch a volunteer offering trays of green beans to feed these guys (feeding a goat a green bean is hilarious). There is a small gift shop in the reception area. Know that any money you spend here is being put toward the care for the rescued animals. 

Animal Adventures is located at 336 Sugar Road in Bolton, MA. The zoo is open to the public Monday - Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on Tuesday except for during school vacation weeks and the summer season. Admission is $14/person for ages 4 and up, $7 for kids ages 2 & 3, and FREE for kids under 2. A military discount of 25% is offered. #WayCoolerThanAZoo

Gotta Visit: Ice Skating Path at Community Field (Holyoke)

Faith LOVES to ice skate and I love to take her; however, paying fees for public skating adds up quickly throughout the winter. So today we headed to the skating path at Community Field in Holyoke where the skating is always FREE! 

There is something special about skating outside in the sunshine and the ice path here lends itself to a leisurely skate. You don't really get folks screaming past you on the ice here like you do at public skate in the large indoor arenas. It's the perfect spot for new skaters. The best part is -- if your kids love to skate and you don't, it's very easy to keep an eye on them without having to get on the ice. Also, it's perfectly fine to get on the ice in your boots or shoes -- nobody is going to complain (unlike an indoor ice arena where no skates means no ice) so it's easy to help unsteady skaters. There are benches scattered around the ice path so you can sit and watch comfortably. 

If you have your own skates, it is FREE to skate at Community Field. However, even if you don't have skates renting a pair only costs $2. Candy and hot cocoa is available for purchase for $1 each. 

There is a warming house available (where you can pick up your rentals and snacks) and the bathrooms on site are open on weekends. 

Ice skate rentals are available Saturday and Sunday from noon to six p.m. During the week, the pathway is open for use; however, there are no skate rentals available and the bathroom and warming house are closed. 

The skating path is open weather permitting. You can check specifics on hours of operation on the city's website or on the City of Holyoke Facebook page. 

If you want to bring the whole family but not everyone is a skating enthusiast, Community Field also offers an amazing playground adjacent to the skating path, hiking trails, and a dog park, which is open throughout the winter, so even the furry family members can enjoy an afternoon at the park. 

Community Field is located on Community Field Road in Holyoke. #getoutside #winterfun

Road Trip Worthy: Foster Family Farm Corn Maze (South Windsor, CT)

Fall corn mazes are a dime a dozen in New England; however, it can be hard to find a good one that doesn't break the bank. Until you discover Foster Family Farm Corn Maze in South Windsor, CT. 

We've tried lots (and lots and lots) of local mazes through the years and this time I was searching for a great deal worth the admission price. (I'm all for supporting local farmers; however if it's going to cost my family of four upwards of $50 for an afternoon out, it better be worth it). And I found it!

Not only does Foster Family Farm offer a challenging maze experience, the admission price for the 2018 season is reasonable: $12 for adults, $7 for kids ages 4-12 and FREE for kids 3 and under. There's even a coupon on the admission page you can print out show on your phone for an additional $1 off up to four adult admissions. We paid $36 for a great afternoon that offers so much more than just corn maze fun. 

There are actually two full-size mazes to chose from -- this year there is an Enchanted Forest theme with a unicorn maze and a dragon maze. Little ones would love to wear their princess/fairy/knight/ costumes as they wind their way through the maze. The farm offers a great map to follow and you collect hole punches as you find different stations along the way. The paths are wide, flat and clear -- you can easily take a stroller through here. There are over four miles of trails to explore between the two mazes. Foster Farm also offers a mini maze for its' littlest adventurers. There are nighttime hours offered at the mazes as well on Friday and Saturday evenings -- bring your own flashlight. 

Once you've had your fill of solving the puzzles, you can head out of the corn and play on one of the many playscapes scattered throughout the property. There's a pirate ship, a train, giant tires to climb on, and many tunnels to crawl through. The farm also offers sand pits and a pedal car course too. And what farm would be complete without animals? We visited with chickens, goats and alpacas. This place is heaven on Earth for littles: running through a maze, playing in the dirt, climbing playscapes, and chickens. However the big kids will love the challenging mazes as well (please note, anyone under the age of 14 needs an adult chaperone. No drop offs.) All ages can easily spend hours here enjoying the beautiful fall weather. 

The admission price not only includes all of these attractions, but also a hayride throughout the property. You can also purchase pumpkins, mums, and gourds. There are tons of fun wooden cut outs and beautiful murals scattered about the farm. Photo ops abound -- I took dozes of fun pics while we were there. Foster Family Farm is basically everything you love about fall in one stop. 

There are lunch concessions and snacks available for sale on the weekends. There are many port-a-potties and plenty of free parking offered on site. 

Foster Family Farm is located at 90 Foster Street in South Windsor, CT. The attractions are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October. You can follow their Facebook page here.

#fallfun #getoutside #supportyourfarmers

 

Gotta Visit: Chester Railway Museum & Keystone Arches Hiking Trail (Chester)

All aboard for a unique weekend explore in Chester!

Anyone interested in New England history and/or railway history needs to visit the Chester Railway Station & Museum. Did you even know that our area is home to the first keystone arch bridges built in America? AND that at the time this railway was laid it was the longest and most difficult railroad project ever completed? 

I'm always highlighting my status as a New England History Nerd with these posts, but I just can't help it. I love learning about firsts. And this little museum is a gem of New England history. You can not only learn all about this revolutionary railway line, there is a great collection of lanterns, uniforms, photographs and other memorabilia. 

To be honest, the museum collection might be found lacking by the youngest train enthusiasts (there's no Thomas here) but the kids will LOVE to explore the caboose, run around the grounds, and my six-year-old was fascinated by the Keystone Arches diorama inside. 

Here's perhaps the coolest thing about the Chester Railway Station: you can rent out the caboose for an overnight stay. How fun would that be?! What a great family camping adventure. You can reserve the caboose for only $60/night including grill, firewood, and electricity is available. We're definitely putting this on next summer's bucket list. 

The Chester Railway Station & Museum is open Saturday & Sunday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., July through September. You can also request an appointment to view the museum by calling 413-354-7878. The museum is located at 10 Prospect Street in Chester. There is plenty of free on-site parking and several restaurants withing walking distance for lunch. The entire building is ADA compliant (including the very clean bathrooms). 

Admission is by donation only -- please be generous -- it would be such a shame if this truly unique New England gem was not operable. You can follow their Facebook page for special event updates. 

After you learn all about railway history in Western Mass you can drive two miles down the road to visit the history in person by hiking the Keystone Arches Trail. This is a moderate, 2.5 mile trail (five miles total if you completely hike in and back out) but you certainly don't have to hike the whole thing to get a feel for the history of railway. You'll find the trail head on Middlefield Street at Herbert Cross Road in Chester. 

After you park in the small parking area and head down the hill, you'll very quickly come upon a beautiful waterfall. There is access to the water here which the kids will love on a hot day. (The West Branch of the Westfield River is easily accessible throughout the trail with alternating calm and rapid water, but there are plenty of safe, splashable spots for little hikers). After you pass the waterfall, look for a narrow path on the left heading down to the river -- follow this and you'll have a beautiful view of the first set of keystone arches. If you have not-so-enthusiastic outdoor enthusiasts in your party, you can hike in and out pretty quickly and still feel like you've seen what you came for. But if you keep going on the trail there's plenty more to see. There are five keystone arches you can hunt for along the trail.

The trail is clear but rocky. You cannot bring a stroller through here. We hiked a day after rain and much of the trail was wet and muddy -- make sure everyone has water resistant footwear. There are lots of opportunities for water play even without going in the river so definitely bring a change of clothes for the littles. Some of the bridges on the trail are open -- do NOT let the kiddos run ahead. While some sections of the trail feel very secure, it's not a lazy family hike. You need to stay alert for changes in terrain. 

You can easily visit the museum and hike a section of the trail within a few hours -- 2 to 5 depending on how long you want to hike for. There are plenty of restaurants in Chester center to grab some lunch or pack a picnic and eat it at the museum or on the trail. This is a beautiful way to spend a weekend afternoon. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. See you on the trail! 

Road Trip Worthy: Granby Open Farm Day (September) Granby, CT

Mark your calendars for mid-September folks, because you do NOT want to miss next year's Granby Open Farm Day in Granby, CT. 

The event is held annually in and offers the public access to a dozen working farms around the town complete with a backstage look at the animals, machinery, gardens, grounds and of course the farmers. 

We attended yesterday and we were able to visit with chicken, goats and horses; we made some crafts and learned about robotics with the Granby 4-H kids; we took a hike, shopped for amazing produce, ate some ice cream and admired fields of beautiful flowers. It was a perfect family Saturday. 

Each year the Granby Agricultural Commission prints up a map and passport highlighting all of the participating locations. You can follow the map to chose the locations you want to visit and at each farm you can collect a stamp in the passport. At the end of your stay you can turn in the passport for a chance to win some fun prizes. But of course the real prize is being outdoors in the beautiful mid-September weather spending time together as a family and supporting our local farmers.

Follow the Granby Agricultural Commission on Facebook to find out when future events will be held and pencil it in on the calendar for next year -- you won't be disappointed. #eatlocal #livelocal #supportyourfamers 

Gotta Visit: Bear Hole Reservoir (West Springfield) #getoutside #gotakeahike

This summer is already going by TOO fast and the only way I know how to create a pause button is to get out into the woods with my girls. So this afternoon we headed out to find the waterfall at Bear Hole Reservoir in West Springfield. 

Nearly all of the reviews I read about this hiking spot state "I can't believe I never knew this gem was right in my backyard" and that statement is 100% true. (Literally. I used to live on Bear Hole Road about 20 years ago -- but in my defense the public was not encouraged to explore the reservoir grounds back then). 

Hiking at Bear Hole is easy and quick. Once you park the car in the large parking lot, head through the chain link fence onto the dirt trail (do NOT head onto the large gravel road -- not much to see here and the kids will get bored with a quickness). The quality of the main trail at the reservoir is the best around: wide open and perfectly clear. It's all hard-packed dirt or crushed stone. You can definitely bring a jogging stroller through here on the main trail, not so much on the side trails or down into the waterfall gully. 

Speaking of which, you pretty quickly come upon a beautiful waterfall when hiking the trail. You can't miss it -- the main trail runs right over it. There is a steep left off the main trail where you can walk right down to the falls. So enchanting. I'm always impressed with the power of a waterfall and we visited the reservoir after heavy reains so we were not disappointed. Take some time to walk around the falls area -- there is an old stone fireplace from Bear Hole's early days as a resort in the 1800s -- but keep a close hand on the littles. The rushing water is no joke here. 

Once you head back out of the falls area, you can continue on the main path and take a long loop all the way around the reservoir, or look for the slightly narrower path that veers to the left which will take you right through the reservoir's dam and pump station -- a sure highlight for little engineers. Here you can pick up a paved road that belongs to the West Springfield Water Department and hike up the steep driveway up and out to a gravel road. This access road will lead you back out to Bear Hole Road -- look for the yellow gate and you'll come out of the woods about 100 feet below the main parking area. Follow Bear Hole Road back up to your vehicle. 

There are no amenities on the trail so use the potty before you go and bring plenty of water. Think about how much bug spray you would bring on a regular hike and then pack double (again, we hiked after heavy rains so you may have a different experience). Taking this abbreviated route through the reservoir at a moderate pace, we hiked for about an hour (I didn't measure the length but I'd guesstimate about 1.5 miles). There is no allowable access to the actual reservoir so make sure the kiddos understand this is only a hiking adventure, not a water one. 

Bear Hole Reservoir is located at the end of Bear Hole Road (take Route 20 to Rogers Avenue) in West Springfield -- just keep driving up Bear Hole until you come to the parking area at the end of the neighborhood. There is plenty of FREE parking at the trail head. See you on the trail! #gotakeahike