Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center
Northfield Mountain is a pumped storage facility owned and operated by FirstLight. Northfield offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities as well as an extensive array of environmental and recreation programs. We are a four-season recreation facility situated along a beautiful sweep of mountainside, with satellite facilities conveniently located along a 7-mile stretch of the Connecticut River.
99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA 01360 Get directions
Upcoming Events
Hawks! With Naturalist, David Brown
Thursday, September 4 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Every fall these secretive birds of prey that inhabit our woodlands but go largely unobserved, are obliged to rise above the treetops and migrate southward, some only a short distance, others to as far away as the Amazon basin. This video-based program will acquaint you with field marks and behavior of a dozen or so species of these fascination birds.
This program is free and open to the public. No reservation is required. The presenter, David Brown, is a lifelong birder with a special interest in raptors.
Morning Hike at Northfield Mountain
Thursday, September 11th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
Join us for a moderate hike along the trails at Northfield Mountain. This month we hike to the summit and look out over the reservoir. Pre-registration is required at www.bookeo.com/northfield.
Geology Cruise with Geologist, Richard Little
Saturday, September 13th at 11:00 and 1:15 p.m.
Geology comes alive on the Connecticut River! For more information and the register, go to www.bookeo.com/northfield.
Indigenous Life along the Connecticut: Stories from Then and Now: A Riverboat Cruise
Saturday, September 27th 3:00 to 4:30 p.m
Presented by David Brule, President of The Nolumbeka Project, Inc. and Chairman of the Nehantic Tribal Council
The narrative will cover the sweep of history between the earliest known stories of Native American presence to modern times, focusing on the stretch of the Connecticut from Sokwakik (Northfield) to Peskeompskut (Turners Falls). The historical time span will range from the first known PaleoIndian presence to the latest collaborations between modern-day Abenaki, Nipmuck, and contemporary archaeologists. Pre-registration is required at www.bookeo.com/northfield
A Walk in the Woods: Yoga and Hiking at Northfield Mountain
Saturday, October 4th, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Let’s reconnect to ourselves and our forest neighbors with an afternoon of yoga and hiking. We’ll shift our focus between our inner and outer landscapes to deepen our presence and attune to nature as it manifests in our bodies and the world around us.
The hiking will be mostly silent and moderately paced/hilly, with breaks for mindful movement, conscious breathing, and meditation. Beginners to yoga are welcome. For ages 13+.
Space is limited. Pre-registration is required at www.bookeo.com/northfield
Bring water, dress in layers, and feel free to use hiking poles. Contact instructor to reserve a set.
Questions? Want to reserve hiking poles? Contact: Libby Volckening at libby@yogalibre.net or call 413-834-4524
Northfield Mountain Orienteering Day
Saturday, October 18th, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For ages 11 and up
Come join us for an adventurous and educational day of orienteering at Northfield Mountain on October 18th. Orienteering is a unique sport that uses land navigation skills in a racing atmosphere. Teams will learn how to read and use a detailed map (called an orienteering map) with a compass to navigate overland and complete a race through a course of checkpoints scattered throughout our wilderness area here at Northfield Mountain. Courses are available in a wide variety of levels from beginner to advanced and, although it is a race, groups are encouraged to move at their own, individual, pace. This event is open to everyone; including individuals, groups, and families. Scouting groups can expect a high level honing of land navigational skills while learning how to apply them practically in a competitive setting. Please bring your lunch, snacks, water bottle, and dress appropriately for the weather and a wilderness setting.
Schedule:
8:30am: Meet in the ground floor at Northfield Mountain Visitor’s Center
8:45-12:00: Classroom time
12:00-12:45 – Lunch
12:45-4pm – Orienteering Race
About the course instructor:
Jonathan Meserve is an outdoor skills specialist with decades of experience in outdoor education and recreation. Working for many years in the Scouting movement, he became a BSA certified outdoor skills director in 2006 and used many of those skills to build orienteering courses at other facilities outside of Scouting. An avid outdoor adventurer, he spends much of his time applying his skills fishing in remote wilderness settings and traveling our nation’s long distance backpacking trails. He has completed somewhere around 6000 miles of backpacking through his many hikes.
Space is limited. Pre-registration is required at www.bookeo.com/northfield
Activities
Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center maintains 26 miles of trails that offer excellent year-round activities
Hiking
Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center maintains 26 miles of trails that offer excellent hiking in warmer months, May through November. In order to preserve the integrity of the trails, hiking is not permitted once the ski season begins, or during spring mud season. The wide carriage-width trails that make up most of the trail system are designed for cross-country skiing. Additionally there are 6.0 mi. of traditional hiking trails that wind past streams, hemlock groves, old rock quarries, and the striking Rose Ledge cliffs. Below are links to our trail map, trail report and trail guides for the Rose Ledge Trail and the Hidden Quarry Trail.
Please enjoy the trails and respect other hikers. We also ask that you please keep your dogs on a leash and pick up after them.
The Visitor Center restrooms are open June-October and when we are open for skiing. There is also a porta potty available.
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Maps and Guides
If you are heading out to the trails, feel free to download our trail map. We also posted the map to the Visitor Center doors if you would like to take a photo of it when you’re at the site.
Download Trail Map
Rose Ledge Guide
Hidden Quarry Guide
Facility Rentals
Pavilion
Fee: $300 plus a refundable $150 cleaning/damage deposit fee for exclusive use of our post and beam pavilion and adjacent lawns along the Connecticut River*.
Please note: If a large tent is to be set up and removed on the nearby grounds, the Pavilion must be rented on the days before and after the event. Contact us for three-day rental discounts and information.
To reserve, please email us at recreation@firstlight.energy or call 1-413-659-4426.
- Available Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
- Maximum group size is 100 people. The 8 picnic tables in the Pavilion seat 64.
- Swimming and beaching or anchoring of any watercraft on the riverbank is not permitted.
- There are two 110 volt/20 amp outlets under the serving table with GFI protection. Disabled guests will find the service entrance most convenient. All others should use the Pavilion parking area directly off Pine Meadow Road.
- Disabled guests will find the service entrance most convenient. All others should use the Pavilion parking area directly off Pine Meadow Road.
*Address of the Pavilion is 156 Pine Meadow Road. From the Visitor Center at 99 Millers Falls Road in Northfield, head north on Route 63 and it is the first left onto Ferry Road. At the bottom of this short road, turn right onto Pine Meadow Road and the Pavilion parking lot is on the left. Please share the address and directions with your guests.
Yurt
Fee: $100 with a refundable $100 cleaning/damage deposit fee. Located behind the Visitor Center.
- Available between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Maximum group size is 30 people.
- A pellet stove keeps the yurt warm in any season. Limited electricity is provided.
Visitor Center Auditorium
Fee: $150 with a refundable $100 cleaning/damage deposit fee for large indoor meeting room in our Visitor Center.
Available between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. April through October.
Maximum group size is 60 seated in rows.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT USE OF ALCOHOL IS NOT PERMITTED IN YURT OR AUDITORIUM.
Questions? Email us at recreation@firstlight.energy or call 413-659-4426.
With some changes to amenities and procedures, the natural beauty of the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center trails remain a refreshing and invigorating place to visit for outdoor winter recreation.
Cross Country Skiing
Northfield Mountain has more than 25 miles of trails designed specifically for cross country skiing and groomed for both classical and free-style skiing. Our trails offer some of the finest Nordic skiing in the region, from beginner trails to the demanding 800-foot vertical climb of Tenth Mountain Trail. Hikers, dogs and other pets are excluded from our trails during the ski season.
Hours of Operation: The trails will be groomed and opened to skiing and snowshoeing when there is adequate snow cover, Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
What you need to know for the 2024-2025 season:
When snow cover is sufficient, trails at the center will be groomed as needed. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking will be allowed for all guests with a valid trail ticket. At times when snow cover is absent, too icy, thin, or inconsistent for skiing, the trails may be opened for hiking, walking, and studded fat bikes. Visitors can get information about trail conditions and allowed activities by visiting FirstLight’s Northfield Mountain Trail Report, Facebook, or the Western Mass Cross Country Ski Areas Association.
- Ski and snowshoe rentals will be available daily this season. We will not be offering seasonal rentals.
- The Visitor Center will be open for access to the restrooms only
- Trail pass and equipment rental transactions will be purchased at the ticket window by credit card only
Trail Fees and Rental Equipment
2024-2025 Daily Ski and Snowshoe Rental Rates
Ski and Snowshoe Rentals
Snowshoes, and a limited number of skis, boots, and poles will be available for day rental this season when conditions permit us to open the trails for skiing. Payment will be accepted by credit card only.
Snowshoeing
More than six miles of trails are reserved exclusively for snowshoeing. The trails meander through scenic sections of the mountain, with great views from Rose Ledges. Free snowshoe trail tickets must be picked up at the ski shop before heading out. Please see our price chart above if you need to rent snowshoes.
Fat Biking
A pass is required when we are open for skiing. Tire size must be larger than 3.5″ and tire pressure must be less than 10 psi. Exit trails if your tire creates ruts more than one inch in depth. Please do not walk on groomed trails. Always check trail report below before heading out.
Grooming
Northfield Mountain can take on the largest blizzard or the lightest dusting of snow with their fleet of grooming vehicles. The trails receive regular grooming–usually in the early morning, with tracks set for classical skiing and areas groomed flat for skating.
Maps and Guides
If you are heading out to the trails, feel free to download our trail map. We also posted the map to the Visitor Center doors if you would like to take a photo of it when you’re at the site.
Download Trail Map
Rose Ledge Guide
Hidden Quarry Guide
