Recreation Areas

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

Barton Cove and Munn’s Ferry Campgrounds

Barton Cove and Munn’s Ferry campgrounds are situated along the Connecticut River in Massachusetts. Specializing in tents only camping, each site includes a sand filled platform for comfortable tent placement, a picnic table, an elevated charcoal grill, and a campfire ring with a flip back grill. Firstlight’s campgrounds open for the season on Memorial Day weekend in May. Online only reservations for camping will begin April 13th. Reservations will be accepted by phone (413 863-9300) and in person when the campground opens for the season. The Campground office will remain closed to visitors while camper check-ins and paddle sport rentals take place at the customer service window again this year. All payments will be accepted by Credit Card Only. Please reserve your site by clicking the booking link below.

Barton Cove

Barton Cove specializes in rustic tent-only camping. The campground is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Each campsite has a picnic table, grills and campfire ring. Vehicle use in the campground is restricted to unloading during arrival and loading during departure. Showers are available near the ranger station, and there are two group sites available for larger parties interested in camping together. Two sites suitable for pop-up trailers or class C camper vans are also available. The sites have no utility hookups. Scout groups can camp by special arrangement through November.

Campground Map and Rules and Regulations.

This year, reservations for Barton Cove and Munn’s Ferry can be made online beginning Wednesday, April 13th or by phone beginning May 25th by calling (413) 863-9300. A deposit is required to secure your reservation. Deposits are partially refundable only, with eight days’ notice or 31 days for group sites.

Campground Fees

Tent Sites	Group Site #1 50 people maximum	Group Site #2 30 people maximum
$22 / night	$60 / night	$40 / night

Book Campsite

Munn's Ferry

Munn’s Ferry in Northfield is a small camping area for boaters and paddlers only. This campground is only accessible by boat. Tent sites are $22/night and the Adirondack shelter is $30/night. Potable water is not available on site and reservations are required. Munn’s Ferry is open Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day.

Please see Munn’s Ferry Map and Policies for more information.

Book Campsite Now

Canoe/Kayak Rentals

Barton Cove has 50 water craft including canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards that can be rented for 2 hours or for the day. Each rental comes complete with personal flotation devices and paddles. Call (413) 863-9300 for more information.

Click here for Paddlesport Rental Waiver Form.

Rental Fees:

Canoes / Kayaks 0 to 2 hours	Canoes / Kayaks Canoes / Kayaks Up to 4 hours 4 to 8 hours
$25	$40 $50

Book Paddle Craft Now

Campground and Canoe/Kayak Rental Office Directions

Barton Cove is located on Route 2, in Gill, Massachusetts.

From the North or South via Route 91: Take exit 27, travel East for 3 miles on Route 2, the campground office entrance is on your right.

From the East via Route 2: Cross the Connecticut River on the French King Bridge, go approximately 3 miles, campground office is on your left, one-quarter mile past the campground entrance.

Physical address: 82 French King Highway, Gill, MA 01354. Mail address: 99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA 01360

Turners Falls Dam Portage

General Information

In accordance with the Department of Public Health recommendations to maintain social distancing, Firstlight cannot provide portage services through Turners Falls. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and we hope to resume this service soon.

Portage Procedure:

Portages have been suspended until further notice

Barton Cove is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During closed hours or off-season paddlers need to use their own phones.

As you paddle into Barton Cove, look for the colorful rack of rental boats to help you find the Canoe and Kayak Rental area.