The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Hawley Bog © Avi Hesterman

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

See unusual vegetation on this flat, but wet, trail. View All

Plan Your Visit

View All

Get Directions

Closure Notice:
Hawley bog trail will be closed for boardwalk reconstruction from July 9 through August 3.
If you have any questions, please contact the Sheffield office: (413) 229-0232.
Sorry for any inconvenience.

Why You Should Visit
This preserve is an example of an unspoiled New England level bog within a deep glacial depression. A mat of consolidated peat 30 feet thick floats on the open water and supports an unusual community of plants.

Location
Hawley, Massachusetts

Size
65 acres 

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Hawley Bog is a one of the few remaining examples of a New England bog in its natural state.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Nature Conservancy owns 25 acres of this unique preserve and the remaining acreage is owned by Five Colleges, Inc. (a consortium made up of Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and Amherst Colleges and the University of Massachusetts). The entire preserve is managed cooperatively by The Nature Conservancy and is used as an outdoor classroom by the Five Colleges.

In 1997, volunteers and staff pulled together to complete a 700-foot boardwalk. Partially made from non-toxic recycled plastic, the new boardwalk forms a trail over the floating bog mat. It replaces boards which had been placed directly on the bog mat, which threatened the bog's sensitive community of plants.  In 2004, crews worked to control the invasives in the area and trimmed vegetation along the boardwalk.

Hours
Daily, from dawn until dusk

What to See: Plants
Growing on the open water are bladderworts. At the periphery of the bog is a wooded swamp with wild iris surrounded by striking stands of hemlock and mountain laurel.

What to See: Animals
There are a number of fascinating ant species present on or around the bog.

Accessibility
All reasonable requests for special accommodations will be made with ample notice.

Things To Do

The short trail is flat but somewhat difficult due to its extreme wetness. It is very important to stay on the boardwalk (it is a floating mat and can break easily), which allows truly close-up views of an unusual community of vegetation.

Plan Your Visit

Groups larger than 10 people are asked to coordinate their visit with our Western Massachusetts Program at (413) 229-0232 ext 232. Dogs are not permitted at this preserve due to the fragile habitat conditions and narrow boardwalk. If you have any questions while planning your outing, please contact Angela Sirois.

Directions

From Boston:

• Take Route 2W to Route 8AS (Hawley). 
• Take the left at the forced stop past the railroad tracks. 
• Take the first right onto East Hawely Rd. 
• Continue approximately four miles to a small rock monument in a clearing.
• Park and take the path on the left.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

Read our guidelines on posting comments