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Spencer State Forest
4.4 ★★★★☆ 173 Google reviews · Running trail in Spencer, Massachusetts · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Spencer 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.
Featuring Howe Pond for swimming, this 965-acre forest park offers hiking trails, picnicking, and skiing.
What runners say about Spencer State Forest
“There's so much space, and it's all kept so clean and beautifully manicured.”
“There's lots of trails to hike through and the scenery around the lake is beautiful.”
“Atmosphere is just peaceful with waterfall.”
It is a good place to walk, it has several trails, very good views. I liked the waterfall although there were many bees 😁😁
I love it here. I've been coming here for most of my life for birthday parties or just to get some fresh air with my kids. There's so much space, and it's all kept so clean and beautifully manicured.
Always so beautiful, relaxing. Great for fishing, picnics, playing such games as frisbee, football. Atmosphere is just peaceful with waterfall. They have grills there you can bring charcoal, cook and sit on picnic tables. They have lots of trails to explore! Home of the Howe Sewing Machine!
Nice park with a pond and spillway. Trails to walk through the woods along the stream. There is a nice mowed area by the lake for picnics. I watched a guy fishing out here pull a fish out of the pond every 5 or 10 minutes, though I'm not a fisher myself. Trails are just pack dirt, so pick your shoes accordingly.
Trail conditions & character
“There's lots of trails to hike through and the scenery around the lake is beautiful.”
“Atmosphere is just peaceful with waterfall.”
Plan your run at Spencer 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
- Websitemass.gov
- Phone+1 508-886-6333
Hours
| Monday | 7:30 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 7:30 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 7:30 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 7:30 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 7:30 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.
Howe State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 184 reviews
Relaxed park with grills for picnicking along with a stream and pond.
O'Gara Park
3.9 ★★★★☆ 31 reviews
Mass Audubon Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
4.4 ★★★★☆ 91 reviews
Kid-friendly park featuring meadows and well-maintained trails for walking and hiking.