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Spencer State Forest, Spencer, MA

Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & OutdoorsLocal Gem

Spencer State Forest

Picnic by Howe Pond on the old estate of sewing-machine inventor Elias Howe and hike a section of the 92-mile Midstate Trail.

51 Howe Road, Spencer, MA 01562 · Spencer, MA

About Spencer State Forest

This 965-acre state forest in central Massachusetts is split into parcels of hilly woods, creeks and wetlands. The main picnic spot is Howe Pond, a mill pond with a dam built by Elias Howe, inventor of the sewing machine, whose estate this once was. The yellow-blazed Midstate Trail, which runs 92 miles between the Rhode Island and New Hampshire borders, crosses the forest. Parking is free, dogs must stay on leash, and hunting is allowed in season, so wear bright colors in fall.

  • #state forest
  • #hiking
  • #picnic
  • #midstate trail
  • #cross-country skiing

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