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Pittsfield State Forest
4.5 ★★★★★ 231 Google reviews · Running trail in Pittsfield, Massachusetts · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Pittsfield State Forest'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.
Large, wooded state park with hiking trails, campsites & a pond for boating, swimming & fishing.
What runners say about Pittsfield State Forest
“Scenic, accessible, and well maintained, what else do you want in a state park?”
“Beautiful views,great trails, pretty waterfalls, good camping sites, nice "comfort faclities" (bathrooms) but the road itself is full of potholes.”
“The trails are not always well-marked, so take a pic of the map if use a trail navigation app.”
My family was looking for someplace that had camping, hiking, canoeing, and swimming, and this place checked all the boxes. Having said that, it is a bit limited. The pond for canoeing is quite small, and the swimming area is VERY small. Hiking trails are plentiful, but hit or miss.
I love this place, every time I go it's a different experience. There is trails for every one, with nice little views all over the mountain. Even if you don't want to hike there is picnic spots with grills, a beach area with white sands.
I thought I might be taking a chance on fat biking during the winter and I was happily pleased to be greeted by, at least, 8 miles of groomed single track. It wasn't like it was packed by a snowmobile but rather, the trail looked more like a large heavy ball was dragged through the trails.
We visited from out of state and enjoyed a long walk here. The trails are not always well-marked, so take a pic of the map if use a trail navigation app. There are a couple of views, but you are mostly in tree prison.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful views,great trails, pretty waterfalls, good camping sites, nice "comfort faclities" (bathrooms) but the road itself is full of potholes.”
“We camped three nights and we're very happy with the campground - bathrooms were obviously very recently built and the nest campground bathrooms I've ever seen!”
“You can take your dog on-leash, but we saw a number of bikers with their off-leash dogs who could not control their dogs.”
“Scenic, accessible, and well maintained, what else do you want in a state park?”
“The trails are not always well-marked, so take a pic of the map if use a trail navigation app.”
Plan your run at Pittsfield State Forest
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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 trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitemass.gov
- Phone(413) 442-8992
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 6:30 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Pittsfield
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Balance Rock Loop Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 154 reviews
Popular spot for hiking and picnics, featuring a large balancing rock.
Springside Park
4.1 ★★★★☆ 278 reviews
Familiar hangout featuring tranquil gardens, a pond & an arboretum, plus ball fields & picnic spots.
Barkerville Conservation Area
4 ★★★★☆ 16 reviews
