About Glendale Falls

Visit wild and rocky Glendale Brook and follow one of the state's highest and longest waterfalls as it plunges dramatically to the Westfield River.

What makes Glendale Falls a special place?
Fed by more than five square miles of watershed, Glendale Falls is one of the longest and most powerful waterfall runs in Massachusetts. In spring, the waters of Glendale Brook roar over steep rock ledges to join the Middle Branch of the Westfield River, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River.

Forest Delight
The surrounding forest includes hemlock, birch, and beech with an understory of maple, hornbeam, witch hazel, shadbush, and mountain laurel. Across Clark Wright Road, a logging road tracks a natural wet meadow along Glendale Brook.

Trails
A quarter-mile trail leads to the bottom of the falls and a 0.3 mile woods road leads south to land owned by the Massachusetts Division of Fish & Wildlife. Moderate hiking, strenuous in places.

When to Visit
Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of half an hour.

Regulations & Advisories

• Seasonal hunting is allowed. A Trustees permit is required. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties.
  
  
• Mountain biking is not allowed.
  
  
• Dogs must be kept on leash at all times.

Directions

Clark Wright Road
Middlefield, MA  01243
Telephone: 413.532.1631
Email: pvregion@ttor.org

Latitude: 42.349
Longitude: -72.969

Get directions on Google Maps.

From Pittsfield: Follow Rt. 8 South
approx. 5 mi. Turn left onto Rt. 143 East.
Follow for 8.1 mi. Turn right onto River Rd.
(becomes East River Rd.) and follow for
5.6 mi. Turn right onto Clark Wright Rd.
immediately after bridge and proceed 0.4
mi. to entrance and parking (7 cars) on right.

From Northampton: Follow Rt. 9 West
approx. 4.4 mi. Turn left onto Rt. 143 West.
Follow 12.1 mi. Turn right to stay on Rt.
143 West and follow for 4.2 mi. Turn left
onto River Rd. (becomes East River Rd.)
and follow for 5.6 mi. Follow directions
above to entrance and parking.

Admission

When to Visit
Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of half an hour.

Admission
FREE to all

Property History

The reservation was once part of the historic 18th-century Glendale Farm, which operated a gristmill whose foundation can be explored in the woods just north of the falls.

Property Acquisition History
Purchased in 1964.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

One-time Volunteer Opportunities

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.


View Glendale Falls management plan.

Maps and Resources

At present, a downloadable trail map is not available.

Planning Your Visit

Travel Links
Hidden Hills of Western MA
Hilltowns of Western MA

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

Tell Us What You Think

We’d love to hear about your visit! Here are three easy ways to let us know what you think:

1. Take our visitor survey. If you have a question for us, you can ask us in the survey and we’ll get back to you.


2. Post a comment about your visit on our Facebook page.


3. Share your experiences with other visitors on our website. Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll post your comment right here on this page.

Submitted by KATHY on: April 11, 2012

WELL MY FAMILY HAS BEEN UP THERE WE WENT ON THE SECOND AND THIRD ANNVERSARY,WE ALSO GO FOR HIS B-DAY HE IS VERY MUCH MISSED SO WE INJOY BEING THERE THANKS AGAIN

Submitted by kathy on: June 18, 2010

I went to glendale falls on Oct 30th it was my son's first annnversary of his passing i need to be in a beautful place and as close to heaven as i could be, my boyfriend of 10 months brought me there i got rose pedals and we let them go in the falls he climbed out there so i could see thm go down it was a sad but beautiful so i thank you all for my special day there and plan on being there every year at that time and more we plan on bring my family there so we can all enjoy it THANKS

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