Summit House

The kids sitting on the rocks that over look the Connecticut river near North Hampton,Ma and Amherst,Ma. This picture was taken near the Summit House in Skinner State park.

You can drive to the top of the mountain and park close to the Summit House. In the summer the Summit House is open to visitors. In side there are some displays of artifacts and history of the area.

The views are wonderful from the porch of the Summit House. Views from some of the trails
are equally wonderful. Bring along a lunch and explore the area.

Bash Bish State Park

This was a fun day trip with the kids. We followed the trails, did rock hoping in the streams, and climbed along the rock near the falls. Exploring the area gave us a fun family day outside.

Located in the most south western part of Massachusetts, this park features 80 foot water, an overlook area, and hiking trails. The hiking trails interconnect the locations between the water fall, overlook and the parking areas. From the top parking area there are three trails. With your back to the road, the one on the right leads to the water fall, the middle to the overlook area, and the left leads to the a stream above the waterfall. There are really two locations for parking areas. One parking area is at the top near the overlook area and a second at the bottom near the water fall.

The hike to the waterfall starts down some steps to a dirt path. The path winds downward and crosses a small makeshift bridge. It eventually ends at the parking lot for the waterfall. This took us about 30 minutes.

The hike to the overlook area is a very short hike that consists of about a 5 minute climb up a steep boulder. Use the handrails for safety. Turn to your right once at a point you can stand and walk freely. Walk about 100 feet and you should find the spot that overlooks the valley and the mountains.

From the overlook area it looks line another trail leads down to the area above the falls. We did not take this path because it looked very steep. Instead we followed the path to the far left of the parking area.

The path to the left of the parking area resembles a dirt road and leads to a stream above the waterfall. It took us about 20 minute walk down to the stream. Once at the stream we hoped from rock to rock to sandbar, looking at different things. This gradually led us to the top of the waterfall, but this was a restricted area and we had to turnaround.

Port-a-potties are located at each parking area, but I suggest you stop in town before arriving at the falls.

Brimfield State Park

Brimfield State Park contains a pond with a small sandy beach of 100 feet in length and many hiking trails. There are several large fields for playing games.

Mt Tom

The park is located off Rt 141 near Easthampton and Holyoke. There are many hiking trails, places for a picnic and a playground.

This hiked was along the ridge where there are many wonderful overlooks.

There are two towers to climb for beautiful views

Cliff Walk in Newport RI

This is a wonderful walk along a cliff that over looks the ocean on one side and has beautiful views of the Newport mansions on the other.

Here the kids play at the beach that is at one end of the walk, rest at an overlook and walk across some rocks that are part of the trail.

Heublein Tower

This is a Conn. State Park on Talcott Mt.