As the highest mountain in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock has been attracting visitors to the Berkshires since the early 1800s. By midcentury, authors and artists were all trying to capture its beauty in words and art. In 1875, so many tourists were visiting, that a summit house was built to accommodate travelers with food and lodging. Then in 1898, Mount Greylock became Massachusetts’ first state reservation. Today it continues to attract the imaginations of visitors, who at its summit of 3,491 feet, on a clear day, can see as far as 90 miles away, including four states and five mountain ranges; and the park itself consists of over 12,500 acres.
The easiest way to access it today is by driving the 16-mile paved Scenic Byway (Rockwell Road) that climbs to the summit. Along the way there are many scenic turn-offs to stop and enjoy the views, as well as take a hike. At the summit there is the Veterans War Memorial Tower dedicated to the Massachusetts residents who have given the ultimate sacrifice. There is also the Bascom Lodge, which depending on the day you visit, serves limited lunch options to full dinners for those with reservations. Camping is also available through reservations. Dogs are allowed on-leash at Mount Greylock, and as always respect the animals who call it home, be courteous to your fellow visitors, and always clean up after your pet.
Please note: The Mount Greylock Scenic Byway is closed to vehicles from mid-October through June. However, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are still permitted, during the off-season.
On the day we visited, we began by stopping at the visitor center at the start of the Mount Greylock Scenic Byway in Lanesborough, Massachusetts. Dogs are NOT allowed in the visitor center, but we recommend your humans stopping in to pick up a map, learn the history, and plan their ascent. This is also a good place to visit if you cannot do the drive to the summit, but would like to see photos of the views.
On this plan your own adventure, we stopped at each scenic overlook along the way. In some areas, we even took a short hike. This is where picking up a map at the visitors center, as well as paying attention to the signage at each stop, helps when planning your visit. Trails at Mount Greylock range from easy walks through meadows…
….to challenging hikes up steep rocky outcroppings.
In fact, Mount Greylock includes an 11.5-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail! Of which we hiked approximately 2 miles of it!
At the summit many of the trails are paved, making it accessible for all and a leisurely walk for the paws.
Picnic tables are also available at many of these areas, as well as informational signage, if you just want to relax, enjoy the view, and learn about this history of Mount Greylock.
At the summit is the Veterans War Memorial Tower. Initially dedicated in 1933, as a tribute to Massachusetts residents who gave the ultimate sacrifice in World War I, it was rebuilt in the 1970s, and repaired in 2013. Today the monument is open to the public, and is dedicated to as a memorial to those who served in all wars. For humans feeling adventurous, and are not bothered by tight places, you may climb the 90 stairs to the summit of the tower to enjoy the magnificent views. Dogs are NOT allowed inside the Veterans War Memorial. However, we encourage all people to take a moment to step inside to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.
The memorial beacon is lit, “to shine each night, perpetually, to honor the memory of fallen heroes and to guide aviators in their lone night-time journeys over the treacherous mountain range.”
