Massachusetts
Nature|Mountains

Savoy Mountain State Forest Is A Scenic Outdoor Spot In Massachusetts That’s A Nature Lover’s Dream Come True

Savoy Mountain State Forest in Massachusetts offers year-round outdoor activities, including winter sports and scenic trails.

Published Jan 28, 2020

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

Up here in Massachusetts, winter doesn't necessarily slow us down. Sure, we may have to throw on an extra layer or two, but we all know that winters in Massachusetts can be pretty lengthy, and we can't just stay indoors all season. Next time you're looking to go on an epic outdoor adventure and surround yourself in nature, consider taking a drive out to Savoy Mountain State Forest, where you'll have endless opportunities for some outdoor fun. You may just love it so much you'll never want to leave!

Perched above the Hoosac Mountain Range in the northwestern corner of Massachusetts, Savoy Mountain State Forest is a nature lover’s paradise.

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The sprawling mountainous range features something for everyone.

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During the warmer months, both North and South Pond are popular attractions for locals looking to cool off and have some fun in the sun.

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But the park completely transforms during wintertime, and it’s truly something magical.

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While swimming, kayaking and picnicking are the favorite summertime activities, there are plenty of winter activities to keep you busy at Savoy. Cross country skiing and snowmobiling through the trails are a great way to experience the great outdoors even when it’s cold outside.

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There are multiple campsites and cabins available for rent, ideal for anyone looking to leave the everyday world behind and surround themselves with some of the most beautiful natural scenery Massachusetts has to offer.

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There are over 50 miles of wooded trails that will lead you through the natural landscape, each one more mesmerizing than the next. Tannery Falls is a must-see if you visit. This 50-foot cascading waterfall is one of the highlights of the forest and beautiful no matter what time of year you visit.

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Have you ever visited Savoy Mountain Park State Forest? Let us know in the comments below!

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Nature|Mountains

Wachusett Mountain is the Perfect Massachusetts Winter Travel Destination

Published Dec 13, 2023

Written by 

Kim Falchek

Do you love to get out and enjoy winter sports? Unfortunately, 2023 didn’t bring much snow to Massachusetts. However, the Farmers Almanac predicts a very different story for winter 2024. If you are looking for a fun place to enjoy all this snowy weather, you don’t have to drive very far. Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, Massachusetts is a wonderful place to enjoy a winter day! If you grew up in New England as I did, you probably recognize the Wa-Wa-Wachusett jingle!

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Wachusett Mountain is less than an hour’s drive from Boston, so it is a perfect place for a day trip or a quick weekend getaway. You can also take the commuter rail straight from Boston’s North Station to the nearby Wachusett stop. From there, you can easily get to the ski area via shuttle bus or Uber.

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The resort has eight lifts and 27 trails. The trails range from easy to black diamond, offering great skiing for all levels.

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The ski area makes its own snow and the trails are fresh and white, even when the weather is clear.

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Wachusett is a fantastic place to learn to ski. The mountain offers a variety of lessons for beginners as well as more advanced skiers. Kids can start as early as age four.

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Private and adaptive lessons are also available.

You can also learn to snowboard here.

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The ski area also offers several really good places to eat. There is a food court, wine bar, coffee shop, waffle cabin, and full-service restaurants. A favorite place for a cozy treat is the Bullock Lodge Cider House (operated by Red Apple Farm).

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The quaint building was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

Have you skied Wachusett before? What did you think of the trails? More information about the mountain, rentals, and lessons can be found on the Wachusett Mountain website and the Wachusett Mountain Facebook page. Although Wachusett does not have onsite lodging, you can still make your visit into a fun-filled getaway. The nearby Colonial Hotel is a wonderful place to stay for the night.

If you like outdoor winter sports, Nashoba Valley Ski Area and Ski Butternut are two other great local winter spots to explore.

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Nature|Mountains

Underneath This Massachusetts Mountain Lies A Creepy Yet Amazing Secret Bunker

Updated Oct 6, 2023

Written by 

Sophia

Few people know that just outside the town of Hadley, a Cold War secret lies buried beneath the earth. Incredibly, a massive underground bunker is built into the side of Bare Mountain in the Holyoke Range, and its original purpose was very dark. This is one of the most fascinating bunkers in Massachusetts!

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The Notch Bunker is formally called the Post-Attack Command and Control System Facility. It was built in the late 1950s as a shelter for the 8th Air Force command post in the event of a nuclear attack. It was a secret military base in Massachusetts. The bunker was meant to ensure that top military officials could survive a nuclear catastrophe and issue commands to any surviving military personnel aboveground.

The bunker was built to support 350 people for just over a month. It had surplus WWII rations, cots, and a microwave communication system.

The bunker was officially closed in 1970 in favor of another bunker in Louisiana. However, the Notch Bunker was still meant to serve a purpose in the event of a catastrophe. The Federal Reserve took over the facility and used it to store their records…and a vast sum of money to restart the American economy after a nuclear war.

Today, the bunker is actually used as a library storage facility for the Five Colleges. Unless you were a local librarian, you’d probably have no idea your library books were being kept in a former nuclear fallout shelter. Massachusetts bunkers are filled with secrets!

The implications of this bunker’s existence are chilling. Its construction means that the U.S. government took the possibility of nuclear war seriously and planned for the unthinkable. Let’s hope that such a scenario stays in the past.

Watch this rare insider footage of the bunker below:

The Notch Bunker from WGBY on Vimeo.

Have you ever seen any of the bunkers in Massachusetts? Let us know in the comments below! Looking for more significant pieces of history? This road trip in Massachusetts takes you to tons of great historical sites! And don’t forget the road trip snacks!

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