Trails and Passive Recreation

(Last Update 4/10/23)

This page details the many opportunities for passive recreation in Mendon.  

 

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Mendon Hike Challenge - More Info

 

The use of these properties is AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Please take note of current weather consitions, trail conditions, wildlife, and other users of the properties. 

Hunting is allowed on many of these properties.

VISITORS: Wear safety orange during hunting season!!

NO HUNTING ON SUNDAYS

Hunting season generally runs from September through May

MA Hunting Regulations

       

 

      The Town of Mendon, Trustees of Reservations, Metacomet Land Trust, MA Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife, and several private parties have worked collaboratively to preserve the following group of properties with funding from the MA LAND Grant Program, the Community Preservation Act, donations, and thousands of volunteer hours.  The entire system includes 19 miles of interconnected trails on 800 acres of land.  All of the properties are permanently protected as conservation land and open to the public.  

 

SYSTEM MAP (coming soon)

 

There are several trails that run along or through private property.  Please stay on marked trails in these areas and observe all posted signs.

 

Mendon Town Forest

Parking/Trail Access:

 

Managing Authority:

Mendon Town Forest Committee
Restrictions/Protections:Article 97
Hoursnot posted
DogsYES 
HorsesYES
BicyclesYES
Motorized Off-Road VehiclesNO (per Town Forest Committee regulations)
Hunting AllowedYES - More Info No Hunting on Sundays (per State Law)
Camping/FiresNO (per Town Forest Committee regulations)
Attractions:
  • Historical sites and artifacts dating back to the 1600's including a saw mill, grist mill, granite quarry, old wells, and more.
  • Town Forest History

Eagle Projects:

  • Eagle Scout Josh Luttrell cleared brush from the 1830 Thompson Taft House Foundation
  • Colin Burgess (Troop 1) planed and constructed a kiosk at the Asylum St. entrance
  • Patrick Kennedy (Troop 1) planned and constructed a kiosk at the Tower Rd. Entrance
  • Brian St. John (Troop 44) planned and constructed a kiosk at the Southwick Zoo easement trail entrance.
More Info:Mendon Town Forest Regulations
Trail Map:

Town Forest Trail Map (.pdf)

Town Forest Trail Maps on TrailForks.com

 

 

Meadow Brook Woods Conservation Area & Inman Pond

Parking/Trail Access:

    Managing Agency:Mendon Land Use Committee and Conservation Commission
    Restrictions/ProtectionsConservation Restriction held by The Trustees of Reservations
    Hoursnot posted
    DogsYES 
    HorsesYES
    BicyclesYES
    Motorized Off-Road VehiclesNO (per terms of the Conservation Restriction and the MA LAND Grant contract)
    Hunting AllowedYES - More Info No Hunting on Sundays (per State Law)
    Camping/FiresFires allowed only with permit from the Mendon Fire Dept
    Attractions:
    • Inman Pond
    • 1940's Hunting Cabin - preserved by the Mendon Boy Scouts
    • Camping area constructed by Eagle Scout Mike Biancucci
    • PLEASE NOTE: This cabin/camping area is NOT available for public use at this time.
    • Meadow Brook & Wigwam Brook
    • Foot/Horse Bridge crossings of Meadow Brook built by Eagle Scouts Sean Clifton and Parker Grant.*
    • Trails cleared by Eagle Scouts Gregg Laplante, AJ Bottoms, and Zac Gaskill.
    • Coming Soon - Eagle Project: Bridge over Wigwam Brook (near Asylum St.)*

    *Bridges funded by the Bay State Trail Riders Association

     

    Orienteering Course:

    This course was designed in 2011 by Hunter Peterson for his Eagle Scout project. 

    Course Maps:

    1. Beginner Loop
    2. One mile Loop
    More Info:Mendon Community Preservation Projects
    Trail Map:Meadow Brook Woods & Inman Pond TRAIL MAP (.pdf)

     

     

    Cormier Woods

    Parking/Trail Access:

      Managing Agency:The Trustees of Reservations - Cormier Woods
      Restrictions/ProtectionsConservation Restriction held by the Town of Mendon Conservation Commission
      HoursSunrise to Sunset per Trustees of Reservations
      DogsYES (Must be leashed per town of Uxbridge By-Laws)
      HorsesYES
      BicyclesYES (Except where posted)
      Motorized Off-Road VehiclesNO
      Hunting AllowedYES (More Info) No Hunting on Sundays (per State Law)
      Camping/FiresNO per Trustees of Reservations 
      Attractions:
      • Cormier Woods an 18th Century Farmstead
      • 3 miles of interconected loop trails with easy to moderate terrain including pastures, woodlands and a boulder field.
      • Wildlife, Vernal Pools, and Birdwatching
      More Info:
      Trail Map:

      Cormier Woods TRAIL MAP (.pdf)

       

       

      Veteran's Park Walking Path

      Parking/Trail Access:

        Managing Agency:Mendon Parks Department
        Restrictions/ProtectionsArticle 97
        HoursSunrise to 10pm
        DogsYES
        HorsesNO
        BicyclesYES (Except where posted)
        Motorized Off-Road VehiclesNO
        Hunting AllowedNO
        Camping/FiresNO
        Attractions:
        More Info:Mendon Community Preservation Projects
        Trail Map:

        coming soon

         

         

         

        Inman Hill Wildlife Conservation Area & Quissett Wildlife Management Area

        Parking/Trail Access:

          Managing Agency:
          Inman Hill Wildlife Conservation Area:
           
          Quissett Wildlife Management Area:
          Restrictions/Protections

          portions of the Inman Hill WIldlife Conservation Area are protected under a Conservation Restriction held by the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife

           

          The Quissett Wildlife Managment Area is owned by the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife and protected under Artice 97 

          Hoursnot posted
          DogsYES 
          HorsesYES
          BicyclesYES
          Motorized Off-Road VehiclesNO (Per MA Dept. Fisheries and Wildlife Policies)
          Hunting AllowedYES - More Info No Hunting on Sundays (per State Law)
          Camping/Fires

          Only with written permission from Director of Dept Fisheries and Wildlife and permit from Mendon Fire Dept.

          Attractions:
          • Hunting
          • Wildlife Observation
          • Hiking Trails

          More Info:

          Link to MA Wildlife Management Area Regulations

          Quisset Wildlife Management Area Fact Sheet

          Thanks to the Bay State Trail Riders Association for their assistance with trail improvements and maintenance. 

          Trail Map:

           

          Inman Hill Wildlife Conservation Area Trail Map (.pdf)

           

           

          Meadow Brook Uplands

          79 Millville Rd & 17 Pleasant St.*
          *Note: No access off of Millville Rd or Pleasant St. 
          Property access off of Kinsely Ln. only
           

          Parking/Trail Access:

            Managing Agency:
            Restrictions/ProtectionsConservation Restriction held by the Metacomet Land Trust
            Hoursnot posted
            DogsYES 
            HorsesYES
            BicyclesYES
            Motorized Off-Road VehiclesNO (per terms of MA LAND Grant contract)
            Camping/FiresNO
            Hunting AllowedYES - More Info No Hunting on Sundays (per State Law)
            Attractions:
            • Hunting
            • Wildlife Observation
            • Vernal Pools
            • Hiking Trails

            More Info:

            Mendon Community Preservation Projects

            Trail Map:

            Meadow Brook Uplands TRAIL MAP (.pdf)

             

             

             

            Gaskill Meadows Conservation Area

            ADDRESS

            NO PUBLIC TRAILS OR ACCESS YET, MORE INFO TO BE POSTED SOON!

             

            Parking/Trail Access:

            Managing Agency: 
            Restrictions/Protections 
            Hours 
            Dogs 
            Horses 
            Bicycles 
            Motorized Off-Road Vehicles 
            Camping/Fires 
            Hunting Allowed 
            Attractions: 

            More Info:

             
            Trail Map: 

             

             

            Muddy Brook South Conservation Area

            NO PUBLIC TRAILS OR ACCESS YET, MORE INFO TO BE POSTED SOON!

             

            Parking/Trail Access:

            Managing Agency: 
            Restrictions/Protections 
            Hours 
            Dogs 
            Horses 
            Bicycles 
            Motorized Off-Road Vehicles 
            Camping/Fires 
            Hunting Allowed 
            Attractions: 

            More Info:

             
            Trail Map:

             

             

             

             

             

            Muddy Brook North Conservation Area

            NO PUBLIC TRAILS OR ACCESS YET, MORE INFO TO BE POSTED SOON!

             

            Parking/Trail Access:

            Managing Agency: 
            Restrictions/Protections 
            Hours 
            Dogs 
            Horses 
            Bicycles 
            Motorized Off-Road Vehicles 
            Camping/Fires 
            Hunting Allowed 
            Attractions: 

            More Info:

             
            Trail Map: 

             

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