The historic anchor of the Holyoke Range at its western end, with an auto road climbing to the 1800s Summit House hotel and long views over the Connecticut River Valley. The auto road and the park's main entrance are on the Hadley side, but South Hadley has its own way in on foot: the Lithia Springs Trail from the hiker parking lot on Amherst Road, Route 116.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot $5 MA resident / $20 non-resident · unconfirmed
Trails
Trails moderate to hard · paved auto road to summit; natural…
Dogs
Leashed dogs allowed on DCR trails per statewide DCR policy
Hours
Auto road 9am-4pm; Summit House restrooms roughly 9am-3pm/5pm depending on season
Accessibility
Auto road makes the summit and Summit House reachable by car; hiking trails are natural surface and not accessible
Birdwatching
Allowed year-round
Getting in
Parking
Paid lot
Cost$5 MA resident / $20 non-resident
Details unconfirmed
What's here
Not here
No drinking water
not posted; bring your own
Common questions
Do I have to pay to hike here?
No, hiking in on foot is free. The parking fee only applies if you drive the auto road up to the summit, charged from late May through late October.
Can I visit the Summit House?
Yes, the 1800s hotel-turned-museum sits at the top and is open seasonally alongside the restrooms.
Where do I park at Skinner State Park?
Paid lot ($5 MA resident / $20 non-resident).
Are there trails at Skinner State Park?
Yes. moderate to hard difficulty. Surface: paved auto road to summit; natural surface on hiking trails.
Is there an entry fee at Skinner State Park?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to Skinner State Park?
Leashed dogs allowed on DCR trails per statewide DCR policy
Is Skinner State Park wheelchair accessible?
Auto road makes the summit and Summit House reachable by car; hiking trails are natural surface and not accessible
What rules should I know at Skinner State Park?
Ridge and cliff-edge terrain near the summit; stay on marked trails and overlooks.