Elliott Laurel
Phillipston, MA
33 acres
Bird Watching Cross-country skiing/Snowshoeing Hunting Mountain Biking Not Permitted Walking/Hiking (Moderate) Picnicking

About Elliott Laurel

In late spring, enjoy the colorful blooms of mountain laurel that give this reservation its name.

What makes Elliott Laurel a special place?
Once pastureland, most of Elliott Laurel is now a quiet woodland traversed by old stone walls. As you follow the scenic foot trail, you’ll cross an open field before climbing a rocky hillside to a lovely overlook. The trail then meanders through a forest of white pine and hemlock before entering a red maple swamp, which lights with radiant color in the fall.

For the return leg of your trek, you’ll pass under a cathedral of pine trees, whose trunks are swathed in thickets of the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) for which the reservation is named. At peak, its flowers emerge first as pink buds that gradually turn to a brilliant white as they open, brightening the shady woodland floor.

Trails
1-mile trail. Moderate hiking.

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour.

Regulations & Advisories

The Trustees reserves the right to photograph or video visitors and program participants for promotional use, and usage of our properties implies consent. Find the full policy here.

Directions

392 Queen Lake Road / Route 101
Phillipston, MA 01331
Telephone: 978.840.4446
E-mail: central@thetrustees.org

Latitude: 42.529
Longitude: -72.123

Get directions on Google Maps.

From Rt. 2: Take Exit 21 and follow Rt. 2A West for 1.1 mi. into Templeton Center. Pick up Rt. 101 South and follow for 3.9 mi. to entrance and roadside parking on right.

From Intersection of Rts. 32 and 101: Take Rt. 101 North 3.6 mi. to entrance and roadside parking on left.

Admission

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour.

Admission
FREE to all

Property History

Property Acquisition History
Original acreage a gift of Frederick W. Elliott in 1941 in memory of his mother. Endowment given by Miss Olive Simes. Additional land purchased in 1975.

Conservation and Stewardship

Management Planning for Our Properties
 


Since 1891, The Trustees of Reservations have worked to protect special places in Massachusetts and maintain them to the highest standards. To ensure these standards are met, a program of careful planning and sound management is essential. Comprehensive property management plans are created for each reservation and are completely updated approximately every ten years. We often work with volunteers, property users, and members of the community to carry out this planning, which typically involves several steps:
 


  • Describing in detail the site’s natural, scenic, and historical resources; identifying management issues related to the protection of those resources. 

  • Describing how visitors use the property; outlining the opportunities that the property provides for people to become involved in the work of conservation and caring for their community.

  • Developing a detailed list of management recommendations, a work plan, and a description of financial needs for implementing the actions.

  • Developing a prescribed routine management program for the reservation that will guide staff work plans, volunteer involvement, and the allocation of human and financial resources.

Maps and Resources

Printed trail maps are distributed free from the bulletin board in the parking area. Please understand that supplies periodically run out. We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.



Planning Your Visit

Before You Go
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.

Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:

  • Protect wildlife and plants.
  • Guard against all risk of fire.
  • Help keep air and water clean.
  • Carry out what you carry in.
  • Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
  • Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
  • Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
  • Enjoy and share the landscape with others.

Click on links below for further visitor information:

Before Setting Out

Enjoying Trustees Reservations

Safety

About Hunting on Trustees of Reservations Land