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Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 215 Google reviews · Running trail in Northampton, Massachusetts · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 10 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Green sanctuary on many acres with a lake for nonmotorized boats, hiking trails & ample wildlife.
What runners say about Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area
“Beautiful views and a great place for a kayak ride (can launch from dock, little bit of a walk from the parking lot) and picnic (benches and open area by the dam).”
“Beautiful and serene place for a nice walk and some exploration.”
“Great place to go on an easy walk!”
Great trails. Easy walk to the lake. Many more trails branch off. We’ll maintained. One of my favorites
We had the most beautiful December micro wedding here in 2025. It rained all morning but cleared up just in time for our ceremony start. By the time we were saying our vows the sun came out. The trails and dock were still quite icy but the rain had washed most snow and ice away.
Amazing place to walk, although it's quite buggy (bring bug spray). Also, the best fishing in Pioneer Valley, hands down!
This is a great way to get outside with little ones just getting into hiking. The lake trail is nice and easy, albeit muddy in some locations (so wear the right shoes). The hillside trail has a bit more elevation, so wouldn’t do it with a 2-3 year old in tow, but older than that and they’d be fine!
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful views and a great place for a kayak ride (can launch from dock, little bit of a walk from the parking lot) and picnic (benches and open area by the dam).”
“Beautiful and serene place for a nice walk and some exploration.”
“Can be a bit muddy and some of the wood planks over stream beds are tough but otherwise not a terribly tough hike.”
“Beautiful views and a great place for a kayak ride (can launch from dock, little bit of a walk from the parking lot) and picnic (benches and open area by the dam).”
“Some trails are very wet and muddy, but there's a boardwalk to the dock to fish.”
“5 miles from the beginning of the parking lot in Florence to the other side in Northampton near big y.”
Plan your run at Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance10 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitebroadbrookcoalition.org
- Phone+1 413-584-7930
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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