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Mass Audubon Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
4.4 ★★★★☆ 91 Google reviews · Running trail in Spencer, Massachusetts · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Mass Audubon Burncoat Pond 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.
Kid-friendly park featuring meadows and well-maintained trails for walking and hiking.
What runners say about Mass Audubon Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
“Dense system of forest/meadow trails for a short (2-5 miles hike) toward beautiful forest lakes.”
“The trails are very well marked but if you go to the right from the parking lot, that trail loop takes forever and goes nowhere special.”
It's very pretty but we had difficulty using the PDF trail map to find the trails we wanted. One trail comes to a meadow with high grass and stops. With ticks so prevalent we were hesitant to walk through the meadow.
This place is great place to get away for a little walk through the woods. The only downside is the trails are badly marked and me and my boyfriend's first time going was a bit ruined by our mini argument about trying to figure out how to get back to the parking lot after getting lost in a loop trail we didn't mean to…
Dense system of forest/meadow trails for a short (2-5 miles hike) toward beautiful forest lakes. There are multiple small streams to cross that get quite full after rain. A fair amount of human-height blueberries closer to the Burncoat pond.
Well manicured trails, easy to read trail maps - a wonderful walk. I remember riding here when it was Seven Springs Farm. I think Wendy would love all the birds flying over the fields of grasses and wild flowers.
Trail conditions & character
“Meadow was recently mowed, I did the main trail to the Flat Rock Trail, ending at Richard’s Overlook.”
“The trails are very well marked but if you go to the right from the parking lot, that trail loop takes forever and goes nowhere special.”
“The only things I didn't like were muddy trail sections and dog poop.”
“The trails are very well marked but if you go to the right from the parking lot, that trail loop takes forever and goes nowhere special.”
“The trails are very well marked but if you go to the right from the parking lot, that trail loop takes forever and goes nowhere special.”
“Had an excellent hike, trails aren't very steep and well taken care of.”
“The only things I didn't like were muddy trail sections and dog poop.”
Plan your run at Mass Audubon Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- 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, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitemassaudubon.org
- Phone(978) 464-2712
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Spencer
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
O'Gara Park
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Spencer State Forest
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Featuring Howe Pond for swimming, this 965-acre forest park offers hiking trails, picnicking, and skiing.
Howe State Park
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Relaxed park with grills for picnicking along with a stream and pond.