Nature TrailsWest Lake Trail

Elachee hosts 13 miles of hiking trials taking the visitor through pine forests, hardwood ridges, streams, and wetlands. There is no charge to use the trails. We operate & maintain these trails as a private, non-profit organization dependent on donor support. Please consider becoming a member or making a contribution to our Annual Fund. Donation boxes are located at the overflow parking area and at Chicopee Lake.

Savor the tranquil beauty of the Chicopee Woods. Options range from a .5 mile paved trail to our more challenging 4.5 round-trip hike across the Preserve to Chicopee Lake and back. Each journey offers its 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.

Trail Information

  • Trails Open Daily 8am - Dusk

  • No bikes or horses on trails

  • No hunting

  • No collecting plants, animals, rocks, or natural Elachee Suspension Bridgematerials

  • Dogs are NOT permitted Monday through Friday from 9am - 3pm due to the large numbers of school children that are generally utilizing the trails at those times.

  • Dogs MUST be kept on a leash at all times when using the park during permitted hours.

  • Rest Room facilities are ONLY available when the museum/Center is open. There are no public facilities at Chicopee Lake.

  • Color coded milage markers are posted every .25 mile & each Loop trail is marked counter-clockwise, so if you hike clockwise, the mileage markers will descend. View Mileage Marker Map

  • Hike at your own risk

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Trail Descriptions

Ed Dodd Trail

0.75 Mile Loop   Red Blazes

From Service Drive to Geiger Pavilion:  A visit to Walnut Creek, some steep sections.

Geiger Trail     

0.5 Mile Loop   Paved

From Picnic Area to Sidewalk near Geiger Pavilion:   Gently-graded, paved trail with an overlook of Walnut Creek.

Elachee Creek Trail

0.35 Mile Loop   Yellow Blazes

From Picnic Area:  A short trail loop around Elachee Creek, some steep sections.

Mathis Trail

0.75 Mile Loop   Blue Blazes

From Elachee Creek Trail to Dodd Trail:  A walk through a variety of forest types.

Dunlap Trail

2.25 Miles   Pink Blazes

From West Lake Trail to Mathis Trail:  Moderate trail crosses Walnut Creek on 140 foot suspension bridge.

Walnut Creek Trail

0.4 Mile   Green Blazes

From Mathis Trail to Dunlap/East Lake Trail:  An alternate trail between the Mathis & East Lake / Dunlap trails.

Lake Trails

4.5 Miles   Orange Blazes

From Overflow Parking to Mathis Trail:   Via Chicopee Lake Aquatic Studies Center (no public facilities) West Lake Trail 2.5 miles, East Lake Trail (portion overlaps Dunlap Trail) 2 miles. Moderate trail between Chicopee Lake & the Nature Center.

Pine Grove Trail

0.4 Mile   Orange Blazes

From West Lake Trail Near Chicopee Lake: A short loop through a pine forest.

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Discover Nature Packs

Create a memorable fun learning experience with your child as you explore nature together. Check out a Discover Nature Pack at the Nature Shop. These free backpacks contain a wealth of information, nature guides and fun activities to help you explore the woods. Themes include animals, plants, and GPS navigation. A Spanish language pack is also available.

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