Sandisfield State Forest
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Berkshire Swimming Hole — 9,533 acres with York Lake beach and spectacular Berkshire fall foliage
Sandisfield State Forest covers 9,533 acres of Berkshire highland forest — one of the largest state forests in Massachusetts. York Lake provides a scenic swimming beach in summer, and the forest’s extensive trail network is popular for hiking, mountain biking, and fall foliage. The New Hartford Road section features stunning sugar maple canopy — some of the finest fall color in the Berkshires. The forest straddles the Connecticut border, connecting to protected lands in both states.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sandisfield, Berkshire County, MA |
| Size | 9,533 acres |
| Entry Fee | Free (parking fee at beach) |
| Swimming | York Lake beach |
| Foliage | Premier Berkshire fall color! |
About Sandisfield State Forest
Sandisfield State Forest covers over 9,000 acres in the southern Berkshires — one of the largest state forests in Massachusetts. The remote, heavily forested terrain supports black bears, fishers, bobcats, and wild turkeys. The New England National Scenic Trail passes through, and York Lake offers a scenic swimming and camping destination.
Things to Do
Hiking (including the New England Trail), swimming at York Lake, camping (12 sites), fishing, hunting (deer, turkey, bear), mountain biking, and snowmobiling. The forest’s size and remoteness offer true backcountry experiences.
Insider Tips
Southern Berkshires: Sandisfield State Forest covers 9,300+ acres of remote woodland — one of the largest contiguous forests in Massachusetts. Pro tip: York Lake offers a pristine swimming beach surrounded by forest. New England cottontail: The forest is habitat for the endangered New England cottontail rabbit — the region’s only native rabbit, being displaced by the introduced eastern cottontail.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: York Lake swimming. Fall: Remote Berkshire foliage without crowds. Spring: Stream fishing and wildflowers. Winter: Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Massachusetts has an endangered rabbit?
Yes — the New England cottontail is the only rabbit native to the region. The introduced eastern cottontail (brought from the Midwest in the early 1900s) has outcompeted it. New England cottontails need dense thicket habitat — which has declined as forests mature. Conservation efforts focus on creating young forest habitat through managed cutting.
