OUR COMMITMENT TO RECREATIONAL ACCESS

As part of the company’s commitment to environmental awareness and sustainability, FirstLight maintains and operates nature trails and recreation and environmental programs at our facilities in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Numerous opportunities are offered year-round for the public and school groups free of charge.

Choose a recreational area below to learn more about it.

Please use the list below the map to select a location.

Massachusetts Recreation

  • Barton Cove and Munn's Ferry Campgrounds
  • Connecticut River Cruise
  • Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center
  • Turners Falls Fishway

Connecticut Recreation

  • Bulls Bridge Recreation Area
  • Dike Point Interpretive Trail
  • Falls Village Recreation Area
  • Scotland Dam Recreation Area
  • Shepaug Recreational Area
  • Stevenson Recreation Area

Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center

Northfield Mountain is a pumped storage hydroelectric facility owned and operated by FirstLight Power. Northfield FirstLight 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. Please scroll down below event for Trail Information.

Upcoming Events

Sled dog demonstration with HIlltown sleddogs

Saturday, April 29th, 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.   POSTPONED TO MAY 7TH!

On Sunday, May 7th from 11:00 until noon, Hilltown Sleddogs will be demonstrating Dryland Mushing with their Sled Dogs. This is a sport you can do with your own dog of any breed along as they like to run…Cani-Cross is jogging with a dog pulling you or trotting alongside. Bikejoring, Scootering & Rig Racing are activities you can also do with one or with two dogs.

*Please leave your dog at home during the demonstration.

Hilltown Sleddogs is a Touring and Racing Kennel, home to a team of Alaskan Husky Sled Dogs in Western Massachusetts. In Summer we offer Sled Dog Camps, Dog Yard Tours, and Hikes with a Husky. In Winter, Spring, and Fall, we offer Rides, Group or Private Lessons, with Our Dogs or Yours, on Dryland and Snow! www.hilltownsleddogs.com

Please pre-register for this program at www.bookeo.com/northfield


Nature’s sculptures and designs for kids with artist deborah bazer

Saturday, May 13th, 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.  Cancelled

Looking at the artwork of Andy Goldsworthy, as well as at patterns in nature, we’ll use natural materials to make sculptures and designs. Space is limited. For kids ages 4- 10.

Please pre-register for this program at www.bookeo.com/northfield


take me to the river

Thursday, May 25th, at Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield, MA                  

Looking for the best Connecticut River access and information to plan your picnic, nature walk, kayak, or fishing trip? FirstLight Power’s Senior Land and Compliance Administrator, Beth Bazler’s background in offering paddling trips and hikes paired with her knowledge of FirstLight land ownership make her uniquely qualified to share camping, fishing, and paddling hotspots that may be the perfect location for your next adventure at Dickinson Memorial Library from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. Beth will also share ways to make time in the natural world safe and adventurous for kids of all ages. Available websites, maps, and apps will be shared to help you learn more about weekly river water quality data, birds, plants, and finding letterboxes and geocaches. No registration is required for this free event.


wild edible and medicinals plant walk

Saturday, June 10th, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Join us for a plant walk exploring the bountiful wild edible and medicinal herbs of late spring and early summer! We’ll discuss identification, medicinal and edible uses, recipes, and sustainable harvesting practices for many of our locally abundant plants.

Jade Alicandro weaves a love of bioregional herbalism and kitchen medicine into her work as a community and clinical herbalist. She loves sharing the wonders of the plant world with others and inspiring connection with our locally abundant flora, and has been teaching in the Valley on this subject since 2010. She offers in-person bioregional herbalism classes, hosts monthly online classes in her Viriditas Community, and teaches an online kitchen herbalism intensive each winter, Spice Rack Medicine. Forever in love with the weeds, her current favorite plants are Wild Rose, Nettles, and Chicory. Learn more about her work at www.milkandhoneyherbs.com and on Facebook and Instagram @milkandhoneyherbs.

Please pre-register for this program at www.bookeo.com/northfield

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 northfield@firstlightpower.com or call 1-413-659-4426.

  • Available Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Columbus 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.

* 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 (currently Unavailable)

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.

Hiking Northfield Mountain

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.

Sign up here for our monthly Enewsletter to stay up to date with events and information.

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.

Trail Map  •  Trail Report  •  Rose Ledge Trail Guide  •  Hidden Quarry Trail Guide

Recreation and Environmental Education

Take a leisurely hike with your family on the mountain or in your own backyard and try one of scavenger hunts below for fun. Keep your eye on this site for more fun environmental education activities.

Teach from Home Activities:

Salamander’s World I Spy (New!)Signs of Spring I SpyAnimal Track I SpyWinter Tree I SpyDecember Shapes and Colors I SpyNovember Woods I SpyAutumn Forest I SpyFeathered Friends I SpyCanalside Trail I SpyForest I SpyFairy House I SpyFuller’s Pasture I SpyA Salamander’s World I SpyWater I SpyFebruary Counting I SpyWinter Wildlife I SpyQuiet Giants I SpyFall I SpyLate Fall Wildlife I Spy

Cross Country Skiing at Northfield Mountain

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: Northfield Mountain Visitor Center will remain closed due to COVID-19. 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.

Go to TRAIL REPORT link below for updates.

FirstLight announces Northfield Mountain trails will open this winter for recreation with COVID-19 modifications:

Due to persistent COVID transmission cases in the area, indoor warming areas will be limited to the yurt.

In effort to put you in control of your winter recreational activity, we will be offering the season rental program for cross country skis and snowshoes again this season.  This program gives renters the opportunity to ski and snowshoe when and where they find adequate snow regardless of conditions in Northfield.  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.

When snow cover is sufficient, trails at the center will be groomed as needed. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking will be allowed to 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.

Some changes 2022-2023 because of THE COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Ski and snowshoe rentals will be available through a season rental program enrollment period (12/9/22 – 1/7/23). A limited supply of ski equipment will be available as day rentals when the trails are open for skiing.
  • The Visitor Center will be open for access to the restrooms. Masks required. “Your car will continue to be your ski lodge, snacking, and warming hut.”
  • Trail pass and equipment rental transactions will be purchased at the ticket window by credit card only.
  • Ski Lessons available by reservation only.

Questions? Email us at northfield@firstlightpower.com 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.

Trail Fees and rental equipment

View Our 2022–2023 Trail Ticket Rates (PDF)

Planning to rent ski or snowshoe equipment this season?

A season rental gives you the flexibility to get out and cross-country ski or snowshoe whenever or wherever the snow conditions and your schedule allow. Appointments for picking up season rentals are available Dec. 9, 2022, through Jan. 7, 2023. All equipment must be returned by 5:00p.m. March 19, 2023.

Seasonal Rental Information and Pricing

Lessons 2022-2023 Season

Northfield Mountain’s certified ski instructors offer 90 minute group lessons for $25/person which are generally offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekends and weekdays. Ski lessons emphasize fun, essential skills, and safety. Participants may choose between beginner’s group lessons or private instruction for $50/hour. Reservations are required. Phone: (800) 859-2960.

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.

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.

Trail Map

Trail Report

Rose Ledge Trail Guide

Hidden Quarry Trail Guide

Always check our Trails Report above on our Facebook page which is updated regularly. When open for skiing, the trail system closed to all users Mondays and Tuesdays, except holiday openings.

 

Location

99 Millers Falls Rd, Northfield, MA 01360
Get directions

available activities

Cycling
Cross-country skiing
Boating
Education/Exhibits
Fishing
Camping
Picnicking
Wildlife viewing
Paddlesports
Hiking
Horseback riding
Boat launch
Snowshoeing
Rock climbing
Fish viewing