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Dear Friends and Supporters,
As some of you may know, Savoy State Forest closed it's trails to all
ATV users for the year 2005 season beginning April 29. We are hoping that they
reconsider their decision and the trails be open soon, so, not only you can
enjoy them but, keep our business and our town economic development plans alive.
We also hope that you come and stay with us despite that, we are working hard
to find a way to offer our friends and customers other places to enjoy their
sport.
Street legal dirt bikes and jeeps can still find places to ride in these
mountains.
In the mean time, Pittsfield State Forest is open to ORV and they are about
40 minutes from us. Call us if you have any questions at (413) 662-2625
If you would like to contact anyone about the decision to close Savoy State
Forest, here is a list of numbers:
Governor Romney
Office of the Governor
Room 360
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: (617) 725-4005
FAX: (617) 727-9725
State Representative Dan Bosley (617) 722-2120
Congressman John Olver (413) 442-0946
Senator Andrea Nuciforo (617) 722-1625
ATV &
Off Road Vehicles Welcome to the "Ice Cream Trail"
 Many
of our guests are off road vehicle owners that enjoy staying with us and riding
the Flat Rock Hill Trail better known as the "Ice Cream Trail"
(after the ride, it has been a long standing tradition to stop at our place and
have ice cream).
This is one of the few
trails in Massachusetts that you can enjoy riding. This trail starts between the
cabins on our property across Route 2 and goes all the way to
Savoy State Forest and has been used by our guests staying at Whitcomb Summit for many years.
You can ride out from our property to the State Forest or take
a 5 minute ride to the Savoy State Forest parking lot where you will find 32
more miles approximately of old logging roads and trails. There's a good
mix of climbing and descending. .
Guests can use our loading dock if they need to.
The Ice Cream Trail is about 2 and half miles long to the
State Forest.
We'll be happy to pack your lunch to go so you can enjoy your
trip!
The Savoy Mountain State Forest is located at the top of Hoosac Mountain in the Berkshires Massachusetts. The construction of the Famous
Hoosac Tunnel started in the 1851 underneath this mountain. It took several
failed attempts, 200 lives and 20 years to complete this project. Many tunnel
diggers claimed to have been haunted by the ghosts of two workers who died in an
unexpected blast. Even today, there are many reports of ghostly activity in the
Hoosac Tunnel.
In this area you can find miles of wooded trails with
spectacular views and wildlife. There are several ponds and falls that you won't
want to miss.
Any guests that stay at Whitcomb Summit will receive a map of
the trails available in this area.
If you're looking for a place to stay with your family and
ride during the riding season, Whitcomb Summit is the perfect mountain trip
getaway.
Group Events & Catering
We'll be delighted to host your group events too. We
can provide a broad variety of menus, ranging from a simple coffee break, lunch
to go, pig roast to a sit-down dinner for your group.
We love catering to ATVers however, we have a lot of guests
that come to Whitcomb Summit to relax and have some quite time. Please be
respectful and consider these other guests by riding at 3 miles an hour in the
motel and cabins surroundings. Many atv groups prefer to rent all our facilities
even if they don't use all the rooms. That way, they don't have to worry about
disturbing any other guests that are not part of their group. Please inquiry
about renting the whole place at a mid-week special rate or check our
accommodations.
Other Trails in
Massachusetts
The DCR (formerly DEM Department of Environmental Management) in
partnership with several organizations has opened several State Forests and Parks
in Massachusetts for the use of Off Road Vehicles.
Western Massachusetts
- Savoy Mountain State
Forest (Florida, Savoy, North Adams) These are 32 miles
approximately of ATV and motorcycles old logging roads. These trails are
remote and on top of the mountain. You could access this trail right from
Whitcomb Summit or you can get to
it by going west of us on Route 2, then south on Central Shaft Rd and follow
the signs. For more information you can email me at
carolina@whitcombsummit.com or call the offices of the Savoy State Forester at 413-663-8469.
- Pittsfield State
Forest (Pittsfield, Hancock) These 45 miles of trails are suitable for
motorcycles and ATVs and it's located along the Massachusetts and New
York border. If you're traveling on the Mass Pike, exit Route 2 and take Route
20 and follow the signs. Call the Pittsfield State Forester at 413-442-8992
for more information.
- October Mountain State
Forest (Lee, Lenox, Washington, Becket) In the central Berkshires you'll
find 30 miles of ATV and motorcycle trails From the Mass Pike to Exit 2, take
Route 20 west, make right on
Center Street in Lee and then follow the signs.
For more information call the State Forester at 413-243-1778.
- Beartown State Forest (Lee, Great Barrington, Monterey) The southern Berkshires offer approximately
25 miles of trails. These old logging roads are suitable for motorcycles and
ATVs. Lots of tight twists & turns, short steep up and downs, plenty of
rocks and roots to keep it interesting technically, some fun downhill
sections. In addition to the ATV trails, the single track Bridle Trail
is open to mountain bikes. It's pretty muddy in
early season. From Mass Pike take exit 2 then Route 20 east, take
Route 102 west, Route 7 south, Route 23 east and finally left on Blue Hill
Road and follow the signs. If you get lost :) call the State Forester at
413-528-0904 for more information.
- Tolland State Forest (Tolland, Sandisfield, Otis) Near the Otis Reservoir you could find 15 miles
of trails that are NOT recommended for ATVs or non-road-registered
motorcycles. 413-269-6002 If you still want to see it take the Mass Pike
to exit 3, Route 10/202 south, Route 20 west, Route 23 west and follow the
signs.
The
Berkshire
Trails Council assist with the management and maintenance of the above
trails.
Southeastern Massachusetts
Pilgrim
Sands Trail Riders and
King Philip Trail
Riders assist with the management and maintenance of the trails in the
Southeastern Massachusetts.
- Freetown-Fall River
State Forest (Freetown, Fall River) These 25 miles of single track trail
is good for motorcycles only (no ATVs). A lot of the trails are very
rocky and require "expert" level riding. From Route 24 south take exit 10,
bear left onto South Main Street, take your first right onto High Street. For
more information call 508-644-5522
- F. Gilbert Hills State
Forest (Foxboro, Wrentham, Franklin) This is an 8 mile loop. It's mostly rocky singletrack
for motorcycles (no ATVs). Other trails are available at the Wrentham and
Franklin State Forest areas. Take I-95
south, Route 140 north, 3/4 around Foxboro common, bear right on South Street
take a
right on Mill Street and follow the signs. Call the State Forester at
508-543-5850 for more information.
Unfortunately Myles Standish State Forest is currently closed to all Off Road
Vehicle use.
Northeastern Massachusetts
Minuteman Trail Riders assists with the management and maintenance of the
Georgetown-Rowley State Forest.
- Georgetown-Rowley
State Forest (Georgetown, Rowley) This is a very small trail,
approximately 5 miles of abandoned roads near I-95. Take Route 95 north, Route
97 west and look for a sign. For more information call 508-887-5931
Regulations for the use of State Forests and Parks in
Massachusetts
OHV users of the State Forests must display a
valid Mass. ATV registration plate or any states’ Motorcycle plate (for
highway-registered trailbikes and dual-sport bikes) or risk tickets from the
Fish & Game Police. Please be advise of these facts and avoid any unpleasant
experiences from failure to operate within the law. Also, out-of-season or
non-registered use jeopardizes the ability of the clubs responsible for the
contract required for the maintenance of the State Forest trails.
These are the DCR (formerly DEM) regulations:
- Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use is permitted only within the
eight State Forest management mentioned above;
- ORV use is permitted only on specifically marked and
designated ORV trails within the 8 state forests. Designated ORV trails will
be marked with trailhead signage and/or orange or yellow trail blazes;
- ORV use is permitted only during a riding season
beginning no earlier than May 1 and ending no later than the last Sunday of
November each year;
- All ORVs must be currently registered in Massachusetts
per MGL c. 90 or c. 90B. The non-resident ATV registration fee is $30 for a
year and $40 for MA residents for two years. You will need the following
documents: Bill of Sale, Sales tax form ST-6
or ST-6E,
Serial Number, Fee, Completed and Signed
Application .For more information on atv registration visit
Registration & Titling Bureau or email
allen.millner@state.ma.us You could mail your registration to any of these offices:
251 Causeway Street, Boston, 02114 (617) 626-1610
165 Liberty
Street, Springfield, 01103 (413) 733-1642
40 Southbridge Street, Worcester, 01608 (508) 753-0603
218 South Main Street, Fall River, 02721 (508) 679-8287
1019 Iyanough Rd. (Rte 132), Hyannis, 02601 (508) 771-8382
- Vehicles over 1000 lbs. are prohibited from all trails at
all times. Unfortunately the State Forests have been closed recently for
bigger vehicles.
- No person under 12 years of age may operate an ORV at any
time. 12 and 13 year olds may operate, but must be directly supervised by an
adult at all times.
Click here to learn more about ATV
Safety Laws .
Trail's Legislations
We are aware of the hard times that off road fans are having
finding trails to ride and we are active supporters to keep those trails open in
Massachusetts.
If you would like more information about trails legislation or want to support the cause write us an
email at
carolina@whitcombsummit.com
Don't hesitate to contact us
with any questions you may have. We hope to count you as one of the many
people who now consider
Whitcomb Summit their "home" in the Berkshires.
Links
National Trails Training Partnership!
Promote your trail through the
National Recreation Trails Program
Find out which
National Trails Day events are taking place in your area
Massachusetts State Forests and Parks
Statewide trail map in GIS format.
If you would like to exchange links or
you have information that will help improve this site send us an email at
carolina@whitcombsummit.com
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