Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest

42°39′47″N 71°22′03″W / 42.66306°N 71.36750°W / 42.66306; -71.36750Area1,109 acres (4.49 km²)^[1]Elevation151 ft (46 m)^[2]Established1941OperatorMassachusetts Department of Conservation and RecreationWebsiteLowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro
State Forest

Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest is a publicly owned forest with recreational features measuring 1,109 acres (449 ha) that overlap the City of Lowell, and the towns of Dracut and Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. The forest, which includes some 180 acres (73 ha) of ponds, swamps and wetlands, is maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.^[3]

History

The area that makes up the state forest originally belonged to the Mohawk, Huron, and Wowenocks Native Americans. It was later colonized by western settlers before becoming the Pawtucket Falls Indian Reservation.^[4] In 1941, Thomas Varnum sold several hundred acres of Hawk Valley Farm to the state for the creation of Lowell-Dracut State Forest.^[5]

Activities and amenities

The forest offers fishing and restricted hunting in addition to six miles of trails used for hiking, mountains biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.^[3] Motorized vehicles are restricted to seasonal snowmobiles. Park access points are found at Trotting Park Road, Gumpus Road, Totman Road, Fellows Lane, and Althea Avenue.^[6]

References

External links

• Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest Department of Conservation and Recreation
• Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest Trail Map Department of Conservation and Recreation