Find Fall Delights at the D.A.R. State Forest

Fall is a great time to visit the Daughters of the American Revolution (D. A. R.) State Forest in Goshen, Massachusetts, part of the Berkshire region. Color is already well underway around beautiful Highland Lake. Yesterday I observed a few people on the beach and trails and kayaking on the water. Often busy in the summer, the park remains active but attendance is low in fall - perfect for a pandemic getaway day. 

Though 25 years old, the lakeside wheelchair accessible trail is in fantastic condition, thanks to park staff maintenance and a recent re-surfacing. This quarter mile stone dust trail runs from the first boat launch - known as the "kayak beach" to the campground road. It is entirely forested and along the way you'll find accessible fishing spots, a gazebo, and numerous benches. The trail is often flat, with some gentle grades that shouldn't pose a significant challenge.

Upon my arrival, I had a picnic lunch on a lakeside bench as a bald eagle flew over the lake. I saw a few black ducks perched on logs along the lake edge as I walked the trail. Aside from this, I did not see much wildlife in the afternoon and the forest was quiet. There is a wildlife viewing blind not far from the accessible trail, further along on the paved campground road heading towards the campground. It is also accessible and offers views into a wetland area filled with vegetation.This can be a nice spot for birding.

The D.A.R. State Forest main entrance is located off Route 112 one mile from Route 9 (use 78 Cape Street for GPS). At the contact station, there is a day use parking area on the left with restroom facilities open until mid-October and an ADA portapotty available off season. Parking in this lot, you can take an access route to the beach through a small picnic area and travel along the top of a dam, enjoying open views of the lake before you get to the trailhead at the kayak beach. Other parking options are parking at the kayak beach or in a large parking lot after the start of the campground road. You'll find these options by traveling further into the park on the main paved road once you pass the contact station.

The park features a campground, typically open Memorial Day through mid-October, which offers accessible campsites and restroom facilities. There is also an active fire tower on site.

The D.A.R. State Forest was first established in 1929 as a donation of 1020 acres by the Massachusetts State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a national organization of women descended from patriots of our nation-forming era. Over time, 750 more acres were added to the forest in Goshen, incorporating both Upper and Lower Highland Lakes. 

Ten years after the initial donation of land for Massachusetts, the D.A.R. started a national movement to create D. A.R memorial forests in each state. Americans donated a penny for each pine tree carefully planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Perhaps there are some "Penny Pines" still growing in this beloved state forest! All the new benches along the accessible trail and elsewhere in the park are the result of a recent fundraising project of the still active local chapter of the D.A.R.

DCR (Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) advocates for people to stay close to home and visit parks within walking distance or a short drive. If you plan to venture further afield, as well as on any outing, please protect yourself and others. In addition to following safe practices outlined by the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health, please be sure to follow these additional DCR guidelines for safe park visiting:

• Minimize outdoor recreational time to limit potential exposure to COVID-19;
• Stay within solitary or small groups, and avoid gatherings of ten or more people;
• Practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals;
• Administer healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing for at least 20 seconds;
• Participate in only non-contact recreational activities;
• Leave a park or area should large gatherings begin to build; and,
• Stay home if ill, over 70, and/or part of a vulnerable population