• Activities Prohibited
  • ATV's/ORV's
  • Facilities
  • Picnic Area
  • Fees
  • No fee
  • Land Owner
  • Red Apple Farm
  • Town
  • Parking
  • Yes
  • Pets
  • Pets OK
  • Recreation Activities
  • Hiking
  • Season
  • All Seasons
  • Signage
  • Trailhead sign
Photo: Thousand-Acre Swamp

Photo: Thousand-Acre Swamp

Thousand-Acre Swamp

Athol, Philllipston, MA

Thousand-Acre Swamp is a magnificent wetland appreciated by people, beavers, birds, and other creatures. It is fed by Thousand-Acre Brook, a dammed former reservoir. Today part of the swamp lies in Athol’s Bearsden Conservation Area, accessible from the main trailhead on Bearsden Rd. (recommended) or from South Royalston Rd. (where parking is limited to streetside where houses end). The swamp extends to Phillipston’s Red Apple Farm, where there is ample parking. The farm’s ¾-mile semi-loop trail offers interpretive posts and is open year-round.

Description:

Thousand-Acre Swamp is a magnificent wetland appreciated by people, beavers, birds, and other creatures. It is fed by Thousand-Acre Brook, a dammed former reservoir. Today part of the swamp lies in Athol’s Bearsden Conservation Area, accessible from the main trailhead on Bearsden Rd. (recommended) or from South Royalston Rd. (where parking is limited to streetside where houses end). The swamp extends to Phillipston’s Red Apple Farm, where there is ample parking. The farm’s ¾-mile semi-loop trail offers interpretive posts and is open year-round.

Directions:

To Bearsden: From Rte. 2, take Exit 17 and follow Rte. 32 north. Turn right (west) onto Rte. 2A and watch for sign to Bearsden on right. Turn right and continue to parking lot.
To Red Apple Farm: From Rte. 2, take Exit 18, Rte. 2A, and follow Red Apple signs.

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Contact:

Athoi Conservation Commission

Athol, MA 01331

 

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