Wendell State Forest
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Off-Grid Forest — 7,566-acre forest in one of MA’s most remote towns — hippie communes, off-grid living, and old-growth trees
Wendell State Forest covers 7,566 acres in Wendell — one of Massachusetts’ smallest and most unique towns. Wendell is famous for its alternative community — artists, hippies, and back-to-the-landers have made it a haven for off-grid living since the 1970s. The forest includes Ruggles Pond swimming area, waterfalls, and some of the most remote trails in central Massachusetts. The New England Trail (National Scenic Trail) passes through the forest.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Wendell, Franklin County, MA |
| Size | 7,566 acres |
| Entry Fee | Free (parking fee at beach) |
| Swimming | Ruggles Pond |
| Culture | Hippie haven since the 1970s! |
About Wendell State Forest
Wendell State Forest covers 7,500 acres in Franklin County — one of the largest state forests in Massachusetts. The forest surrounds Ruggles Pond and features extensive trail networks through northern hardwood forest. Wendell is one of Massachusetts’ most rural and counterculture-friendly towns, known for its off-grid community and back-to-the-land ethos.
Things to Do
Swimming at Ruggles Pond beach, camping, hiking on extensive trails, mountain biking, fishing, hunting (seasonal), and cross-country skiing. The forest connects to other protected lands creating a vast backcountry network.
Insider Tips
Off-grid culture: Wendell is known as one of the most alternative communities in Massachusetts — a rural town that attracted back-to-the-land settlers in the 1970s. Pro tip: The state forest offers swimming at Ruggles Pond and excellent mountain biking. Metacomet-Monadnock Trail: This long-distance trail passes through the area — connecting the Connecticut River to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Ruggles Pond swimming. Fall: Remote forest foliage. Spring: Wildflowers and stream exploration. Winter: Cross-country skiing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail?
The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail (M-M Trail) runs 114 miles from the Connecticut border to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire — following the basalt ridgeline of the Metacomet Ridge. The trail traverses some of the most dramatic terrain in the Connecticut Valley — cliff-edge walking with views across the valley. It’s now part of the New England National Scenic Trail.
Park Location
Top Tours & Activities Near Massachusetts
from $550
from $45
from $35