Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Athol, MA

Nestled in the wooded hills of north Central Massachusetts, Athol is a charming town with a population of 12,000, located alongside the Millers River, a tributary of the Connecticut River.

The river serves as a central feature for the town and its neighboring community, Orange, creating a backdrop for an annual canoe race held between the two towns every spring.

Attracting hundreds of participants each year, the Athol/Orange River Rat Race draws large crowds to the riverbanks, with attendance reaching several thousand.

In recent years, downtown Athol has undergone revitalization, becoming vibrant in the summer with events such as Fourth Friday.

Multiple locations around the center allow visitors to appreciate the scenic beauty of the Millers River, while the town-owned Bearsden Forest Conservation Area preserves a magnificent stretch of riverfront upstream.

1. Downtown Athol

One striking feature of Main Street in Athol is the picturesque view it offers. The town’s primary thoroughfare is framed by the steep, wooded elevations of the Millers River valley, which rise majestically to the east and west.

There is also a wealth of architectural gems to admire, particularly the imposing silhouette of the Pequoig Hotel, constructed in 1894 and serving its original function until shortly after World War II.

Downtown Athol has been a focal point for rejuvenation efforts since the 2010s, boasting a modest yet growing variety of locally owned establishments catering to homewares, gifts, flowers, video games, collectibles, and dining options, as well as one of the finest public libraries in the region.

If you find yourself in town on the Fourth Friday of the month, Athol’s retail area transforms into a family festival, complete with live entertainment, activities for children, and extended hours for local businesses.

2. Bearsden Forest Conservation Area

Although many towns in Massachusetts feature conservation areas, few offer the extensive scale and natural beauty found at Bearsden Forest. This area is situated on a loop of the Millers River and encompasses some of the town’s highest elevations.

This location spans over 1,500 acres, with ten miles of trails offering diverse experiences in nature.

Visitors can explore the expansive Thousand-Acre swamp, hike up Round Top for stunning views of the rivers and distant mountains, or meander along the river itself, halting at the confluences of Buckman Brook and Thousand Acre Brook.

For those who know where to search, remnants of human habitation are evident, found in the form of old stone walls and an impressive geological ledge.

3. Millers River Park

In the early 2010s, the library trustees acquired additional land adjacent to the Millers River behind the Athol Public Library.

Subsequent landscaping efforts have transformed this area into a beautiful and fully accessible oasis in the heart of the town.

Millers River Park has been designed sustainably, employing only native plants that require minimal water and maintenance.

Visitors can explore The Very Hungry Caterpillar section, featuring a butterfly garden adorned with two large boulders unearthed during land excavation.

The park’s amphitheater is constructed from granite blocks that were salvaged from the former South Main Street Bridge.

4. Athol/Orange River Rat Race

Each April, a distinctive event unfolds on the Millers River in Athol and Orange, attracting thousands of spectators to the riverbanks.

This event is the Athol/Orange River Rat Race, where more than 200 canoes compete in an intense 5.2-mile race.

Organized by the Athol and Orange Lions Clubs, the race commences from the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park in Athol, concluding at Riverfront Park in Orange.

A lively atmosphere pervades among spectators, augmented by a series of side events throughout the day’s activities, including a 5k run, a promenade along Main Street in Athol, and an awards ceremony at the finish line in Orange.

5. Alan E. Rich Environmental Park

During other times of the year, the starting point for the Athol/Orange River Rat Race is a delightful location.

This is particularly true during spring, summer, and fall, when the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park provides an ideal venue for canoe launching.

Here, one can access the beginning of the Millers River Bluetrail, a six-mile paddling path along this tranquil waterway.

The park itself is designated as conservation land, featuring a short walking loop, plantings of native species, and picnic tables where visitors can enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty.

6. Silver Lake Park

Located a short walk north of Athol center, Silver Lake Park is embraced by residential neighborhoods. Despite being less than ten minutes on foot from the town hall, this area remains relatively undiscovered by visitors.

At its core is the namesake, spring-fed lake, consistently stocked with trout. During the summer months, visitors can utilize the expansive beach and swimming area, which is monitored by lifeguards and assessed for water quality weekly.

Additional amenities include a playground, picnic area, boat launch, skating area, and three regulation ballfields.

7. Fisher Museum Harvard Forest

Athol’s center is a mere ten-minute drive from Harvard University’s ecological research forest, established in 1907 and encompassing 3,000 acres devoted to forest ecosystem studies.

The Fisher Museum has been publicly accessible free of charge since 1941 and showcases an informative exhibit featuring 23 acclaimed dioramas created in the 1930s.

The initial seven dioramas depict transformations in the central New England landscape over 230 years, from 1700 to the early 20th century.

The remaining dioramas illustrate 20th-century forestry management practices, alongside the challenges faced by conservators, including fire and erosion.

8. Newton Reservoir

Established in 1904 and bordered by scenic oak-pine woodlands to the south of the Bearsden Forest Conservation Area, the Newton Reservoir served as Athol’s primary water supply until its decommission in 2000.

Starting from the parking area at S Royalston Rd, this location is an excellent destination for hiking. The picturesque landscapes are remarkable throughout the year, particularly in spring when wildflowers, such as lady slippers, bloom on the forest floor.

Near the dam, visitors can also discover the remnants of the original mud huts that housed the immigrant workers who constructed the reservoir at the turn of the century.

9. Millers River Environmental Center

Founded in 1963 by Robert Coyle, a science teacher at Athol Junior High School, the Athol Bird & Nature Club has grown into a vibrant non-profit organization, fostering appreciation for the abundant natural resources of north Central Massachusetts.

Over its sixty-plus years of existence, the club has amassed valuable ornithological collections, which have been displayed since 1999 in a historic four-room school building on Main Street, dating back to 1889.

Visitors can learn about the natural wealth readily available in Athol, and the building hosts the club’s programming, including field trips, nature walks, and more.

Many of these educational programs are led by David H. Small, a former student of the founder, who is well-recognized as a conservation leader in demand throughout the region.

10. Red Apple Farm

Established in 1912, Red Apple Farm has remained within the same family since Carolyn and A. Spaulding Rose purchased it in 1929.

During the summer and fall, the farm transforms into a bustling agritourism hub, offering a variety of rural experiences.

From July to October, visitors can partake in pick-your-own fruit activities, which include blueberries, raspberries, potatoes, popping corn, apples, pumpkins, and gourds among other varieties.

The farm store operates year-round, offering a delightful selection of homemade and locally sourced products, from apple cider donuts to seasonal decorations.

A new addition, the Brew Barn & Cidery, is also open year-round, serving craft beer and hard cider from Red Apple Farm, accompanied by live music and homemade treats such as the farm’s own BBQ.

11. Rabbit Run Trail

Athol is situated just a few miles north of the largest inland body of water in Massachusetts, the Quabbin Reservoir. Prior to its construction in the 1930s, a railroad originally traversed the area now occupied by the reservoir.

The Springfield, Athol and Northeastern Railroad was inaugurated in 1873, linking Springfield with the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad in Athol.

Today, visitors can walk or bike along a two-mile railbed, with a half-mile portion of the trail leading through the South Athol Conservation Area, where intersecting paths guide adventurers along historic cart roads and up to Rice Hill.

12. Athol History Trail

In commemoration of the Bicentennial in 1976, the Athol Historical Society developed a captivating history trail that traverses the town, directing visitors to 24 locations that illuminate the story of settlement and subsequent development in the 18th century.

Although the original structures have succumbed to the passage of time, those interested in Athol’s early history can access a downloadable PDF brochure from the society’s website.

This trail leads to intriguing sites such as the early meetinghouses, a toll gate on the 5th Massachusetts Turnpike, a historic path utilized by Native Americans, a secret location on the Underground Railroad, the town’s initial burial ground, and the stagecoach stop, among others.

13. Flat Rock Disc Golf Course

This 18-hole disc golf course was established in the tranquil southern part of Athol in 1999. This private course was designed by a couple amidst the woods surrounding their residence.

Bordered by trees on all sides, the Flat Rock Disc Golf Course demands both skill and accuracy from its players.

To enhance the rural ambiance, barnyard animals may be spotted throughout the course. While playing, be sure to notice the unique tee signs and artistic sculptures crafted by the owners.

14. Athol Cinemas 8

This quaint local multiplex theater opened at the North Quabbin Commons shopping center in 2017. A notable feature of Athol Cinemas 8 is the comfort provided by its reclining leather-upholstered seating in all auditoriums.

The theaters are relatively small, providing an intimate movie-watching experience reminiscent of relaxing in one’s own living room.

Discounted tickets are available on Wednesdays, although prices are generally much lower compared to larger commercial theaters. Athol Cinemas 8 is part of the “Your Neighborhood Theatre” chain, which spans across small towns in New England.

15. Ellinwood Country Club

Open to the public, Ellinwood Country Club features a highly regarded golf course set in picturesque countryside along Route 202 in Athol.

An interesting aspect of Ellinwood Country Club is that its course was designed by two distinct architects, Donald Ross and Geoffrey Cornish.

This design variation offers players added diversity, as the 9 holes from each architect are interspersed throughout the course. Cornish holes are identified by their expansive flat greens, while various challenges involve doglegs set within dense forests and numerous water hazards.

The signature hole, the 11th, features a charming brook that flows alongside the fairway before curving in front of the green.