Mount Holyoke Range State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Mount Holyoke Range State Park is located in the state of Massachusetts and spans across over 3,000 acres.
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Summary
It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers due to its diverse landscape and numerous hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding area.
One of the main reasons to visit Mount Holyoke Range State Park is to explore its network of trails, which range from easy to challenging. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and black bears. Visitors can also enjoy birdwatching and fishing in the park's streams and ponds.
Some of the specific points of interest within the park include the Summit House, which offers panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley, and the Notch Visitor Center, which provides information on the park's history and natural features.
Interesting facts about Mount Holyoke Range State Park include that it is one of the oldest parks in the state, having been established in 1898, and that it was the site of the first women's college in the United States, Mount Holyoke College.
The best time of year to visit the park depends on what activities visitors are interested in. Spring and summer are popular for hiking and enjoying the park's natural beauty, while fall is known for its stunning foliage. Winter activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Mount Holyoke Range State Park is a must-visit destination for those looking to experience the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities of Massachusetts.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Dufresne Recreation Area
Skinner State Park
Groff Park
Sweetser Park
Mount Tom State Reservation