A 455-acre, 8-parcel wildlife management area running along the steep, oak-and-maple ridge of East Mountain through Holyoke, West Springfield, and Westfield. There are no built trails or lots; the New England National Scenic Trail (Metacomet-Monadnock) crosses part of it, and access is mostly by informal roadside pull-offs.
What to expect
Dogs
Dogs must be leashed except when legally used for hunting, hunt training, or permitted field trials.
Hours
No gate; WMAs are open to the public without posted hours, though hunting hours run from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
Accessibility
Not developed for accessibility; steep, unpaved terrain with no official parking.
Managed by
MassWildlife (Division of Fisheries and Wildlife)
WebsiteWhat's here
Not here
No info kiosk
No kiosk or restroom documented.
Common questions
Where do I park, and is it obvious?
There's no official lot. People pull off along Cherry Street Extension or at an old-road turnout on Easthampton Road (Route 141), and neither is signed as a formal trailhead.
Is there a hunting season to know about?
Yes, this WMA is actively hunted for deer, black bear, coyote, and gray squirrel, so hikers should wear bright colors and expect more traffic in the fall.
Is there an entry fee at East Mountain WMA?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to East Mountain WMA?
Dogs must be leashed except when legally used for hunting, hunt training, or permitted field trials.
Is East Mountain WMA wheelchair accessible?
Not developed for accessibility; steep, unpaved terrain with no official parking.
What rules should I know at East Mountain WMA?
Hunting is permitted seasonally (deer, black bear, coyote, gray squirrel); wear blaze orange in season. Dog waste in WMA parking areas and within 100 feet of them must be picked up and disposed of off-site by all handlers; non-licensed handlers must pick up elsewhere on the WMA too.