Windsor State Forest
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Windigo Falls! — 1,626-acre forest with the spectacular Windsor Jambs gorge — 80-foot cascade through a narrow granite chasm
Windsor State Forest’s crown jewel is the Windsor Jambs — a dramatic gorge where Windsor Brook plunges 80 feet through a narrow granite chasm into a deep emerald pool. The Jambs (from “jamb” meaning the side of a doorway) creates one of the most spectacular natural swimming holes in New England. The 1,626-acre forest in the Berkshire highlands also offers camping and hiking through old-growth hemlock forest. The swimming hole was so popular in its heyday that it had a lifeguard station.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Windsor, Berkshire County, MA |
| Size | 1,626 acres |
| Entry Fee | Parking fee ($5 MA / $20 out-of-state) |
| Highlight | Windsor Jambs — 80-ft cascade! |
| Swimming | Natural emerald pool! |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim in the Jambs?
Swimming at Windsor Jambs has been restricted in recent years due to safety concerns — check with DCR for current status. The gorge itself is accessible via a short trail and is spectacular to view even without swimming.
About Windsor State Forest
Windsor State Forest in the northern Berkshires features Windsor Jambs — a spectacular granite gorge where Windsor Jambs Brook drops through a narrow chasm. The 40-foot waterfall and swimming hole at the base of the gorge is one of the most popular (and photogenic) natural swimming spots in Massachusetts. The forest covers 1,700+ acres of northern hardwood forest.
Things to Do
Swimming in the gorge pool below Windsor Jambs waterfall, hiking to the gorge overlook, camping (22 sites), fishing for trout, hunting (seasonal), and photography. The waterfall and swimming hole are a bucket-list Massachusetts destination.
Insider Tips
Windsor Jambs: Windsor State Forest contains Windsor Jambs — a dramatic gorge carved by the Westfield River through metamorphic rock. Pro tip: The swimming hole at the base of Windsor Jambs is one of the coldest and most beautiful natural swimming spots in Massachusetts. Westfield River: The Westfield River was the first river in Massachusetts designated as Wild and Scenic — protecting it from dams and development.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Swimming at Windsor Jambs — bring the courage for cold water. Fall: Gorge foliage. Spring: Waterfall at peak flow. Winter: Ice formations in the gorge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cold is the swimming hole?
Windsor Jambs swimming hole is spring-fed and shaded by the gorge walls — water temperatures rarely exceed 60°F even in summer. The cold is part of the experience — the crystal-clear water in a dramatic rock gorge is unforgettable. Locals consider the shock of the cold water a rite of passage. Not recommended for those who prefer warm swimming.
