A 284-acre state wildlife management area straddling the Ashfield-Hawley line, with hemlock-spruce-fir wetlands and northern hardwood forest around the headwaters of the Swift River. About 78 acres of upland forest were harvested in 2021 to create young-forest habitat for grouse and woodcock.
What to expect
Dogs
Dogs must be leashed statewide on all Massachusetts WMAs (effective January 11, 2019); off-leash only for licensed hunters actively hunting or hunt training, or in permitted field trials. Handlers must pick up waste in and near parking…
Fishing
Allowed per state freshwater fishing season; small beaver impoundments along the Swift River headwaters
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round; moose have occasionally been observed
Managed by
MassWildlife (Division of Fisheries and Wildlife), Western District
WebsiteCommon questions
Are there marked trails at Ashfield-Hawley WMA?
No maintained trail network is posted. Access is informal from either roadside parking area, typical of a working wildlife management area rather than a hiking-focused property.
Is there an entry fee at Ashfield-Hawley Wildlife Management Area?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to Ashfield-Hawley Wildlife Management Area?
Dogs must be leashed statewide on all Massachusetts WMAs (effective January 11, 2019); off-leash only for licensed hunters actively hunting or hunt training, or in permitted field trials. Handlers must pick up waste in and near parking areas.
What rules should I know at Ashfield-Hawley Wildlife Management Area?
Wear blaze orange during hunting seasons; the property is actively used for bear and deer hunting.