Berkshire Hiking, Skiing, Museums, Antiques | Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce

What to Do in the Berkshires:
Hiking, Skiing, Biking, Antiquing, & More!

There is so much to do in this beautiful part of the world that no matter how long you've planned to visit it won’t be long enough!

For ou Seiji Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood tdoor enthusiasts, every season brings something new and exciting. In spring our rivers are rushing and flowers are blooming and waterfalls are roaring. The summer brings amazing starlit nights and great hiking and biking and fishing, and picnics on the lawns of Tanglewood and the Berkshire Choral Festival, to name just two.

Lime Rock Park, “America’s most beautiful racetrack” for auto racing is just down the road in Connecticut. Autumn brings foliage virtually unmatched anywhere in the world. Northbound through-hiker traffic on the Appalachian Trail peaks in August, and the cooler autumn days entice the day hiker into the woods again and again.

Looking to relax for a day at the beach? The town beach in Monterey is located on beautiful, quiet Lake Garfield just minutes outside bustling Great Barrington. From June through Labor Day, the lake is staffed by 3 full-time lifeguards 7 days a week (weather permitting) from 10:00am to 6:00pm. There is free parking by the lake. New sand is always added at the beginning of the summer season and the Parks committee offers swimming lessons to town residents and visitors at little or no cost. Every year, the Friends of Lake Garfield host Lake Fest with boat tours of the lake, a sand building contest, a pot-luck dinner, music and fireworks. Lake Garfield, Monterey

A public access boat ramp is located on Lake Garfield town beach in Monterey. The ramp is closed during summer swim hours, so boats must be in the water before 10:00am and not back out again until after 6:00pm. Fishing on the lake is allowed with permit. For more detailed boating information, please call the Harbormaster/Police Chief at (413)-528-1443 x116 or x225. The lake is maintained by the MA Department of Forests and Parks and the MA Department of Fish and Game

The Southern Berkshires are wonderful for outdoor sporting, whether you’re in the mood for a little seasonal hunting, some quiet fishing or diverse wildlife viewing. Please visit MassWildlife, the official website of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife where you will find all the information you need for great outdoor sporting in our area.

Birding is one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in the country and the Berkshires is one of the best locations for bird watching. Bird watching is an easy, inexpensive way to relax in the beautiful Berkshire outdoors, see interesting wildlife of all kinds, and visit some of the best nature preserves in Massachusetts. The bird species of Southern Berkshire County are diverse and change with the seasons— any given year approximately 200 species are visible. The mountains of western Massachusetts are home to many species including the Olive-sided Flycatcher, Blackpoll and Mourning Warblers, and Swainson's Thrush. The lower elevations of the Connecticut River Valley are home to many song-birds that migrate in the spring and fall. You don’t need to be a bird expert to enjoy recreational bird watching, just a b Blackcapped Chicadee ird enthusiast (a field guide and a little patience help, too).

A good way to get started with bird watching in our area is with the Hoffman Bird Club, Berkshire County’s premier ornithological organization dating back to 1940. The Club hosts regular meetings and field trips and both the local public and visitors are welcome to attend. Massbird.org is another great place to get information about birding books and journals, bird clubs, species information, and bird blogs.

Two of the best, most convenient places to bird watch are the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and the Lime Kiln Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, both of which are part of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The society also hosts birding programs around the state.

Massachusetts has over 300 species of birds and three of the most important bird habitats in the state are located in South Berkshire County:

The Mill Pond and Marshes

Konkapot and Agawam Marshes

Upper Housatonic Valley

The Berkshire National Fish Hatchery Foundation is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about aquatic ecosystem conservation and have some hands-on fun with fish. The Hatchery currently operates ten 3,500-gallon tanks stocked with Atlantic salmon, as well as rainbow, brown and brook trout. Enjoy daily guided tours of the Hatchery and learn how it works as well as visit the Nature Center with aquaculture, reptile, amphibian and ecosystem displays. The Hatchery site is also home to 7.5 miles of beautiful trails winding through wildlife and wetland habitat. Throughout the summer the Hatchery hosts several fishing derbies for children and other special events. From November through March is spawning season and visitors should call ahead to schedule a tour.

Ski Berkshires! In winter time, our snow-covered hills, nearby ski areas and frozen lakes provide all the excitement that winter sports enthusiasts crave. Looking to get away for a fun weekend of skiing? The Berkshire region boasts some of the best skiing in New England and is the perfect spot for a winter vacation. Whether you’re a cross-country or downhill skier you’ll find the challenge you need to get your heart pumping. A season’s pass is an affordable way to experience the Berkshires all winter long. Our family-friendly areas also have excellent learn-to-ski programs for young and old. Winter hiking and ice fishing are also very popular.

SKI BUTTERNUT is set in the beautiful Berkshire hills and offers ski enthusiasts 22 downhill trails covering 112 acres and serviced by 12 lifts, a new 5-lane tubing center and a well-known ski school. Snow Magazine described Butternut as “A True Family Mountain” and SnowEast Magazine voted Butternut as their 2009 number one Favorite Resort Under1100 Feet and Favorite Classic Resort in the northeast.

CATAMOUNT SKI AREA boasts 6 lifts servicing 32 trails and park areas covering 119 acres of prime downhill skiing and snowboarding. Notable attractions include the longest run (2.5 miles) in the Berkshires, a double-black diamond run, night skiing, a half-pipe and terrain park. Catamount offers a great ski school and specialty programs for adults.

The Readers of SnowEast Magazine voted Great Barrington as their Favorite Destination Village in 2009…..visit us to see why!!!

In the mood for a little ice skating? Every winter, the town of Monterey floods the pavilion behind the firehouse and builds a public, out-door ice skating rink*. The rink is open 7 days a week from dawn until 9:00pm (6:00pm on Sundays) and there are set hours for hockey play, family skate and free-skate time. There is a warming room by the rink as well as skates to borrow. The ice rink is offered at no charge to residents and visitors from area towns. 411 Main Rd, Monterey, MA;‎ 413-528-1932‎;