Most people come to the Berkshires and go where everyone goes. Thirteen minutes in another direction sits the largest state forest in Massachusetts, more than sixteen thousand acres of it, and on a weekday morning in October you can walk for an hour and pass three people.
That is the case for October Mountain State Forest. It is not the most dramatic landscape in the county and it is not trying to be. What it has is room, which in a region that fills up every summer is the harder thing to find.
It spreads across Washington, Lee, Becket, and a piece of Lenox, and it became public land in 1915 out of the estate of William C. Whitney, who served as Secretary of the Navy under Grover Cleveland. The name is generally credited to Herman Melville, who looked out at these hills from his house in Pittsfield. Today it is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The Appalachian Trail runs through it. So do trails for nearly every ability, plus a designated area for off-highway vehicles, which is worth knowing about in advance so the noise does not surprise you.
The forest is big enough that a first visit goes badly if you arrive without a plan. Three honest options, depending on what kind of day you want.
The easy version: an hour on foot
Park near the campground area off Woodland Road in Lee and walk the trails that lead directly out from it. Mostly gentle, well shaded, and enough to feel like you left the world behind without committing your morning. This is the version for families with young kids, for anyone easing back into hiking, or for the afternoon between other plans.
Best for: first-timers, families, and anyone who wants a walk rather than an expedition.
The scenic version: Schermerhorn Gorge
The gorge is the forest's signature, a steep cut that has been drawing geologists for generations. It climbs, and there are stretches where footing matters, but the payoff is real and it is the piece of October Mountain people remember. Sturdy shoes, not sneakers.
Best for: moderately fit walkers who want one memorable thing rather than distance.
The full version: the Appalachian Trail section
The AT crosses the forest, and you can pick up a stretch of it for a serious half day. This is deep-woods hiking with real elevation and long gaps between road crossings. Download a map before you go, because cell service is unreliable and the trail network is genuinely large.
Best for: experienced hikers with a full morning and proper footwear.
The campground has 44 sites and three yurts arranged on three tiers of a hillside, and it stays open into the middle of October. Reservations are required and there is no walk-in camping, which catches people out every season. Sites run $17 a night for Massachusetts residents and $54 for non-residents, plus a reservation charge. There are no hookups, alcohol is prohibited in all Massachusetts state parks, and pets are not allowed in the yurts.
Here is the part most guides leave out: there is an electrical substation directly across from the campground entrance, and it hums. Campers on the lower tier hear it day and night. If you are booking, ask for a site further up the hill. Regulars will tell you the same thing, and it is the difference between a good night and a long one.
Late September into the first half of October is the reason to plan ahead. Foliage in the central Berkshires usually peaks somewhere in that window, and October Mountain holds color well because of how much of it is hardwood. The forest earns its name for about two weeks a year.
Summer is quieter than you would expect, since most visitors are pointed at Tanglewood and the museums. Winter brings cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, though facilities close and access gets limited.
One practical note: parking fees apply at Massachusetts state parks, at different rates for residents and non-residents, and there is no swimming area or playground inside this particular forest. It is a walking and camping place, not a day-use recreation complex.
You do not have to camp to do this well. Plenty of people would rather hike hard and then have a shower, a fire, and a drink at the end of it, which is a reasonable position in October. We are thirteen minutes north on Route 7 in Lenox, which makes for an easy morning: walk the trail behind us after breakfast, drive down to October Mountain for the real hike, and be back before dinner. Thirteen minutes is also short enough to change your mind about the weather halfway through the day, which in a Berkshire October you will.
We are a family-owned hotel in Lenox with 111 conserved acres and a trail of our own out the back door, which makes a decent warm-up for a bigger day at October Mountain. Fireplace rooms, breakfast included, and the Foxtrail Lounge for afterward. Explore our rooms or check availability.
If you want to know when the color turns, join the Foxtrail Insider. We tend to notice before the forecasts do. Or book a room and come see for yourself.
FAQ
How big is October Mountain State Forest?
More than sixteen thousand acres, making it the largest state forest in Massachusetts. It spans four towns: Washington, Lee, Becket, and part of Lenox.
Is October Mountain State Forest good for beginners?
Yes, if you choose the right trail. The paths leading out from the campground area are gentle and well shaded. Schermerhorn Gorge and the Appalachian Trail sections are considerably harder.
Can you camp at October Mountain State Forest?
Yes. There are 44 campsites and three yurts, open into mid-October. Reservations are required and walk-ins are not accepted. Ask for a site higher on the hill to get distance from the substation hum near the entrance.
When is the best time to visit for fall foliage?
Late September through mid-October in most years. Book lodging early, since that window is the busiest of the Berkshire calendar.
How far is October Mountain State Forest from Lenox?
Thirteen minutes. The campground entrance is on Woodland Road in Lee, a straight run south from Lenox on Route 7.