Tucked into the rugged highlands of Berkshire County, Savoy Mountain State Forest sprawls across more than 10,400 acres of dense northern hardwood forest, making it one of the largest public lands in western Massachusetts. The terrain here is wild and elevated — sitting above 2,000 feet in places — which gives the forest a distinctly remote, almost northern feel that sets it apart from other Massachusetts state forests.

The crown jewel is Tannery Falls, a striking 80-foot cascade that drops through a mossy hemlock ravine and ranks among the most photogenic waterfalls in New England. North Pond and South Pond offer quiet paddling and fishing for stocked trout, while the surrounding trail network connects to longer routes through the Hoosac Range. Hikers will find a mix of old logging roads and narrow footpaths threading through stands of birch, beech, and maple.

Savoy Mountain operates a campground with rustic sites near South Pond — a solid base camp for a weekend of exploring. The forest also includes several backcountry areas where solitude comes easy, even on summer weekends.

The best window runs from late May through October. Summer brings lush canopy and warm-water swimming at the ponds, while fall foliage at this elevation peaks early and burns bright against the dark spruce. Spring visitors should expect muddy trails and blackflies but will have the waterfalls at full force.

Come here when you want real woods, not a manicured park.

Explore Nearby

• Bissell Bridge — Covered Bridge in Massachusetts
• Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Massachusetts
• Green Mountain National Forest — National Forest in Vermont
• Stuyvesant Light — Lighthouse in New York
• Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Massachusetts