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285 acres | Established 1968 |
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Though Bear Swamp was once pasture for sheep and later a source of cordwood and lumber, its forest today feels largely like untouched wilderness. Cove forests thrive below rocky ridges in deep depressions in the land, where soils are nutrient-rich and well-drained and trees are protected from wind. Hardwoods - ash, hickory, basswood, and cherry - grow tall and straight.
Three miles of trails, some steep in places, lead to different parts of the Reservation. The Beaver Brook Trail traces the southern rim of a shallow pond and wet meadow where an old beaver dam rests atop an old stone milldam. Although many trees have died in the flooded zone, the water is receding, and the forest is returning. The Fern Glade Trail features a variety of ferns and woodland wildflowers. A scenic vista on the Lookout Trail and the hillside meadow at the Apple Valley Overlook both offer views of nearby apple orchards and the Green Mountains of Vermont beyond.
Concerned that the growing population of Ashfield would spell an end to its wild places, Esther and Philip Steinmetz began to buy land in the early 1960s with the intention of preserving it forever. Bear Swamp is their legacy. |
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| Trails |
| 3 miles of trails. Moderate hiking. |
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| Facilities |
| Picnic table located at Apple Valley Overlook. Private functions may be arranged under certain conditions; call or e-mail for more information. |
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| Literature |
| Printed trail maps are distributed free from bulletin board at entrance. Please understand that supplies periodically run out. You may also download trail maps from this web site or mail order trail maps in advance of your visit. |
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| Hunting Advisory |
| Seasonal hunting is permitted at this property subject to all state and town laws. Click here for further information. |
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| Property Acquisition History |
| Original acreage a gift of Rev. and Mrs. Philip H. Steinmetz in 1968. Additional land given in 1974 and 1979. Additional land given by Kathleen T. Tanner, Mabelle T. Jordan, Blanche T. Clark, and Edward G. Tatro in 1969; Mr. and Mrs. Gouverneur Morris Phelphs in 1970; Mrs. Helen S. Walker in 1971; and Dr. and Mrs. Henry G. Clarke in 1974. Additional land purchased in 1997. |
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Telephone:
413-684-0148
E-mail:
pvregion@ttor.org
When to Visit:
Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1.5 hours.
Admission Fees & Permits:
Free to all.
Regulations / Advisories:
Dogs must be kept on leash at all times.
Seasonal hunting is permitted. See details below left.
How to Get There:
From the intersection of Rt. 112, Rt. 116, and Hawley Rd. in Ashfield, follow Hawley Rd. west 1.7 mi. to entrance and roadside parking on left. The path to the Apple Valley Overlook is opposite the main entrance.
Road Map:
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