Stretching 7 miles along the Connecticut River, this attractive recreation area is maintained by the hydroelectric company that dammed the river (as per their federal license). Recreational opportunities include 26 miles of trails that are perfect for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing (skis and snowshoes can be rented). On the water, there's canoeing and kayaking, as well as an informative river-boat cruise. Use of the hiking and mountain biking trails is free; the visitor center has maps.
Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center
Pioneer Valley
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
25.42 MILES
Visible from 50 miles in any direction, the commanding 3165ft peak of Mt Monadnock is southwestern New Hampshire’s spiritual vortex. The surrounding state…
17.54 MILES
Offering a crash course in Vermont food, the market has more than 50 local vendors selling cheese, free-range beef and lamb, honey, pastries, maple syrup,…
18.56 MILES
The 16-acre rhododendron grove in this serene park is the largest in New England. It makes for a nice stroll in mid-July, when thick stands of the giant…
16.33 MILES
During her lifetime, Emily Dickinson (1830–86) published only seven poems, but more than 1000 were discovered and published posthumously, and her verses…
22.23 MILES
This mountaintop park, at the summit of Mt Holyoke, peaks out at a rather modest-sounding height of 942ft. But that's high enough to earn the visitor…
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
20.25 MILES
Co-founded by the author and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this superb museum celebrates book illustrations from around the world with…
16.09 MILES
For a peek at Amherst's colorful past, make your way to the West Cemetery, between Triangle St and N Pleasant St. Here you'll find the graves of Amherst's…
25.01 MILES
The nation's oldest women's college, founded in 1837, is in the center of South Hadley, the southernmost and sleepiest of the Five College towns. The…
Nearby Pioneer Valley attractions
7.9 MILES
The world can always do with a little more peace. A group of monks, nuns and volunteers are doing their part in an unexpected spot in the woods near the…
8.07 MILES
The main street of Historic Deerfield Village escaped the ravages of time and now presents a noble prospect: a dozen houses dating from the 1700s and…
8.14 MILES
Here's the original building of Deerfield Academy (1798), the prestigious preparatory school in town. It's now a museum of Pocumtuck Valley life and…
13.6 MILES
Stones trapped swirling in the roiling Deerfield River have been grinding into the rock bed at this location ever since the ice age. The result: 50 near…
13.69 MILES
Since 1929, volunteers have maintained this bridge of blooms over the Deerfield River. It's one photogenic civic centerpiece. More than 500 varieties of…
6. University of Massachusetts
15.72 MILES
The enormous University of Massachusetts at Amherst illustrates the distinction between public and private higher education in the US. Founded in 1863 as…
16.09 MILES
For a peek at Amherst's colorful past, make your way to the West Cemetery, between Triangle St and N Pleasant St. Here you'll find the graves of Amherst's…
16.33 MILES
During her lifetime, Emily Dickinson (1830–86) published only seven poems, but more than 1000 were discovered and published posthumously, and her verses…