“a Native American Foot Path”
Mohawk Trail State Forest is specifically known for its tall trees. A total of 612 acres (248 ha) of the state forest is classified as pre-settlement old growth by researchers. Trees approaching 500 years in age have been confirmed. Most of the extremely old trees are Eastern hemlock. Other species reaching significant age include yellow and black birch, sugar maple, red spruce, and northern red oak. Specimens of examples of all these species exceed 300 years in age and numerous trees of a dozen species surpass 200 years. Trees over 150 years old in Mohawk are very common. In addition to the old growth, Mohawk Trail State Forest contains many of the tallest trees in Massachusetts as verified by the Eastern Native Tree Society. Most of these tallest trees are between 100 and 200 years old and are properly classified as second growth. Among the tall tree species, the white pine stands supreme. As of the end of the 2011 growing season, 122 eastern white pines had been measured to heights of 150 feet or more and 14 surpass 160 feet (49 m). The tallest accurately measured single tree as tracked by the Eastern Native Tree Society in the New England grows in Mohawk and measured 169.6 feet (51.7 m) in height at the end of the 2011 growing season. The tree is named for Mohawk dignitary, the late Chief Jake Swamp. Of public properties in the Northeast, only Cook Forest State Park in Pennsylvania rivals Mohawk Trail State Forest in the 150-foot (46 m) and over height class. The present count for Cook Forest as determined by the Eastern Native Tree Society and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is 112. The Eastern Native Tree Society maintains records of all white pines in the Northeast confirmed to a height of 150 feet or more.In addition to the white pine, the white ash also reaches to heights of 150 feet (46 m) in Mohawk Trail State Forest. Two trees have been measured to over 150 feet and around 20 surpass 140 feet (43 m) in height. Altogether, 7 native species exceed 130 feet,12 native species exceed 120 feet, and 20 native species exceed 100 feet in height.Of the tall tree champions for Massachusetts, Mohawk Trail State Forest currently boasts 18 champions. However, many of these champion trees are not conspicuously large in girth. They have grown exceptionally tall in the rich, moist, protected ravines of the central Berkshires. Note that what is being described are champion tall trees, which are not to be confused with official state champion trees. The latter are based on weighted measurements of girth, height, and crown spread to arrive at composite scores suggestive of overall size. The national champion sugar maple listed in the National Register of Big Trees grows in the State Forest.The Mahican-Mohawk Trail and the colonial Mohawk Trail road to the lower meadows both pass through some of the tallest of the pines. The Mahican-Mohawk Recreational Trail passes through some of the old growth as it climbs the Todd-Clark Ridge on the north side.
Reviews of Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground
3 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
AT&T 4G
Confirmed by 1 users | Last reported on May 16, 2016Reviews
We really loved this place - perhaps more bc we'd been kicking around New England for two weeks before campgrounds finally started to open in the spring. Staff was great, check in smooth. Can't bring your own firewood but they sell it, plus we could gather it. Some places to get supplies on the way. Some hikes from the campground - some very steep. Close to the main road but the river drowns it out. Lots of trees for the hammock. Showers only seemed to be in one loop but bathrooms good/clean. No cell service to speak of but for the occasional bar that lets texts get through. Some spring gnats flying around - NBD. Moon and stars - yes!
Nightly Rate: $20.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: 37
RV Length: 22 ft
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
We stayed here for 2 weeknights. It was pretty quiet. The site was a good size for a tent and parking for one vehicle. We were up the hill away from the water. Next time would get a spot by the river. There is a little road noise but not too bad.
The bathrooms were clean and easy to access. Is the camp were completely full I imagine the bathrooms would be busy. The showers were hot. The staff was very helpful answering questions and ensuring we had what we needed.
The fee is higher for out of state. There is almost no cell reception.
There are easily accessible hiking trails in the park and many a short drive away.
Really enjoy sitting and playing in the river. When we were there the designated swimming area wasn’t set up for swimming.
Nightly Rate: $54.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: 2
RV Type: SUV
We stayed two nights in the campground here. This is a very basic facility with only a few sites appropriate for a trailer type RV. Site #1 where we stayed was fairly easy to back into with our 24 foot trailer, but all the other RVs we saw were vans or Class C. There isn't electricity, cell service, TV or internet. There is a central spot for waste dump and potable water. There are bathrooms and showers. It is quite far from any stores, restaurants etc. But it is a pretty spot along the river and a 35 minute drive to North Adams where Mass MoCA is located - a charming town now with good stores, restaurants.
Beautiful drive!
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Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground
Hours
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- Other public land (TVA, DOD, county parks with campgrounds)
- Last Nightly Rate
- 54.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 22 ft
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 17.0
- Season End
- Mid-October
- Season Start
- Mid-May
- Sites Count
- 50
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Paved Sites
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Full Hookup
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Pull Through
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Tent Sites
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Potable Water
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Sites
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Standard Tent Sites
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Vehicle Wash Permitted
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Water Hookup
Campground, Restrooms
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