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Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
4.5 ★★★★★ 125 Google reviews · Running trail in Hampden, Massachusetts · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary'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.
Park with marked trails through wooded terrain, plus picnic tables and a gazebo.
What runners say about Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
“The trail is not very scenic it's just forest and more forest, if you are looking for a scenic view try Ashley's Reservoir or Skinner State Park.”
“The trails are well marked and maintained.”
“But if you're looking to get away from life and be alone with your thoughts and quiet wood sounds, this is the place.”
1.19.26 my 1st visit here. Everything is snow covered so maybe that's why we only saw only 1 other family hiking. The trail was an easy stroll in the woods covered in snow. We wore hiking boots but spikes & snowshoes were not needed. Saw beautiful trees covered in snow.
Great trail out in the woods. The path is not paved or really cleared, there are lots of rocks, roots and various tripping hazards so you have to be aware and watch your feet a lot.
Very peaceful little Audubon bird sanctuary in south central Massachusetts. There are basically two environments, a lively little brook valley with a trail along it through hardwoods, and an oak and pitch pine forest on the shallow hill above it.
Second Monday Afternoon vacation day walk in town #240 (Hampden) towards my goal of hiking in every city/town (351) in the Commonwealth. I parked in the dirt lot off Main Street, did the Bates trail, then the East Brook Loop counterclockwise, and back on the Bates trail.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail is not very scenic it's just forest and more forest, if you are looking for a scenic view try Ashley's Reservoir or Skinner State Park.”
“There are may loop paths possible - simplest is a bit more than a mile, follow the brook trail until it U-turns up hill, and keep to left and downhill again when trail splits.”
“But I saw a lot of trail markers high in trees marking the way.”
“But if you're looking to get away from life and be alone with your thoughts and quiet wood sounds, this is the place.”
“There are basically two environments, a lively little brook valley with a trail along it through hardwoods, and an oak and pitch pine forest on the shallow hill above it.”
“The path is not paved or really cleared, there are lots of rocks, roots and various tripping hazards so you have to be aware and watch your feet a lot.”
“Parking is very convenient, just enter through the gate/barrier right before the intersection, there is space for maybe 25 cars or so.”
“The path is not paved or really cleared, there are lots of rocks, roots and various tripping hazards so you have to be aware and watch your feet a lot.”
Plan your run at Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitemassaudubon.org
- Phone+1 413-584-3009
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–6 pm |
Running trails near Hampden
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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