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Savor the tranquil beauty of the woods accessed by your choice of trails. Options range from a .5 mile paved trail to our more challenging 4.4 round-trip hike across the preserve to Chicopee Lake and back. Each journey offers it's unique view of nature with sightings of deer, birds and beautiful blooms and greenery. Trail improvement and maintenance are ongoing - if you'd like to help check out our volunteer page and newsletter. Trail work dates are listed on our calendar of events. |
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Discover Nature Packs.
Visitors interested in learning more about the the native plants and animals of the Chicopee Woods can check out a Discover Nature Pack in the museum lobby. These backpacks, which are free to check out for the day, contain a wealth of information, nature guides and fun activities to help you explore the woods using Leave No Trace guidelines. Geared towards youth in grades K-8, pack themes include animals, plants, and GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation. A combined animal/plant backpack is available in Spanish. These packs can help you create a memorable fun learning experience with your child as you explore nature together. Adults enjoy using them too. |
General Information |
| Dogs. Please
be aware that on weekdays, large numbers of school children are generally
utilizing the trails between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Dogs are NOT permitted Monday through Friday from 9am - 3pm. They MUST be kept on a
leash at all times when using the park during permitted hours. |
| Trail Hours. Trails are open to the general public
from 8 am to dusk every day of the year except during extreme
weather conditions and occasional preserve maintenance. |
| Rest Rooms. Rest room facilities are only available during the regular Center museum hours of Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm. |
| Trail Use Guidelines. Please see regulations below for trail use guidelines. We appreciate your use of Leave No Trace: take only pictures and memories, leave only footprints. |
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Trail Descriptions |
Ed
Dodd Trail - .75 mile loop / Red blazes
A visit to Walnut Creek with some steep sections. Accessible from
the pavilion area or the service drive entrance to the building. |
Geiger
Trail - .5 mile loop / Paved
Designed for those with limited mobility & strollers. A walkway beginning in the Picnic Area, continuing to an overlook,
& ending behind the building. Gentle grade. |
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Elachee
Creek Trail - .5 mile loop / Yellow blazes
A loop trail along Elachee Creek from the Picnic area.
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Mathis
Trail - 1 mile loop / Blue blazes
A walk through a variety of forest types with some steep sections.
Accessible from the Dodd Trail or from the Picnic Area (via the Elachee Creek Trail). |
Dunlap
Trail - 3 miles / Pink blazes
A moderate trail that crosses Walnut Creek on a 150 foot suspension bridge. Trail starts on right side of West Lake Trail after it leaves
the overflow parking area or off the Mathis Trail. |
Walnut
Creek Trail - .4 mile / Green blazes
An alternate trail between the East Lake Trail and the Mathis Trail.
Follows Walnut Creek. |
Lake
Trails - 4.4 miles round trip / Orange blazes
Moderately difficult trail loops between Nature Center & Chicopee
Lake.
West Lake Trail 2.6 miles from the overflow
parking area to the left/south side of Chicopee Lake.
East Lake Trail 1.8 miles from the Mathis
Trail and the right/north side of Chicopee Lake. |
Pine Grove Trail - .4 mile / Orange blazes
A short loop off the West Lake Trail near Chicopee Lake. |
Regulations |
| Preserved Area. Elachee is part of the
1500-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve. In order to protect this preserved area, NO plants, animals, rocks or natural materials may be harmed or taken from the Preserve. |
| Dogs. Dogs are not permitted Monday through Friday from 9am - 3pm and MUST be kept on a
leash at all times. |
| Vehicles/Horses. Bicycles, motorized
vehicles, or horses are NOT permitted on the trails. |
| Off-trail access. Visitors are restricted to
established trails. Do not venture off the trails. The terrain can be dangerous. This also protects the beauty and integrity of the forest and
prevents unnecessary disturbance of native wildlife. |
| Hunting. Hunting is NOT allowed. |
| Dangerous Wildlife. Copperheads and
rattlesnakes are native to this area. They are occasionally seen on the
trails. These poisonous snakes are dangerous and like all wildlife should
not be disturbed. |
| SORBA Mountain Bike Trails |
| The Chicopee Woods Mountain Bike Trails, located in the Chicopee Woods Area Park adjacent to Elachee, are managed by SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association). You can find out about bike trail closings and other information at their website. Access to the Bike Trails is permitted only during daily Park hours of 8am to dusk and for special biking events. |
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