Home > Massachusetts > Hodges Village Dam |
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Other Names | Hodges Village Reservoir, French River, Stumpy Pond, Cedar Swamp, Hodges Dam |
Last Known Status | Open |
Overlooking the scenic French River, this area offers about 10 miles of motorcycle trails that consist mainly of easy and fast flowing single track with several bridge crossings, a few moderate inclines and an obstacle course.
The motorcycle trails are located on the western side of the river while the hiking and mountain bike trails are located on the eastern side marked with blue and yellow blazes. There are two staging areas however the northern access off Clara Barton Road is the most popular with motorcyclists.
The trails are open for most of the year but will close temporarily during spring thaw.
Permit Required | Yes | Massachusetts Registration Sticker |
Dates Open | Open daily except during spring thaw. | |
Other ATV Stickers Accepted | No | Motorcycles must be registered in Massachusetts, no reciprocity with other states. |
Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | |
Whip Flags | Not Required | |
Maximum Vehicle Width | ||
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
ATVs | Prohibited | |
UTV & SXS | Prohibited | |
SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
MX Helmet Required | Yes | required by state law |
Camping | Prohibited | |
Campfires | Prohibited | |
Night Riding | No | Riding hours are from dawn to dusk. |
Trail Blazing | Prohibited | no trailblazing |
Alcohol | Prohibited | |
Rule Enforcement | Some | Dedicated Rangers/Officers |
Approx Size | 1,200 acres (2 sq mi) | |
Miles Of Trail | 10 | |
Climate Type | Forest | |
Elevation | 500 to 750 ft. | |
Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
Loose Dirt | Mostly | |
Hard Pack | Some | |
Sand | Some | |
Mud | Some | |
Dust | Little | |
Rocks | Some | |
Trees | All | |
Steep Hills | Few | |
Water Crossings | Few | |
Small Jumps | Some | |
Large Jumps | None | |
Berms | Many | |
Sand/Gravel Pits | Few | |
Single Track | Many | |
Roads | Few | |
Intersections | Some | |
Rider Traffic | Many | |
Shade | Some | |
Ranges/Gunfire | Few | Hunting permitted on the west side of the French Reservoir. |
Hazards | Few | (hazards not marked) |
Novice | Some | |
Amateur | Mostly | |
Expert | Some |
Area | Motorized Trails |
Land | Army Corps of Engineers |
Gasoline | 1-5 Miles (S) | Cumberland Farms (508) 987-0858 |
Diesel | 1-5 Miles (S) | Cumberland Farms (508) 987-0858 |
Water | 1-5 Miles (E) | Sutton Falls Camping Area (508) 865-3898 |
RV Hookup | 1-5 Miles (E) | Sutton Falls Camping Area (508) 865-3898 |
RV Disposal | 1-5 Miles (E) | Sutton Falls Camping Area (508) 865-3898 |
Campground | 1-5 Miles (E) | Sutton Falls Camping Area (508) 865-3898 |
Conv Store | 1-5 Miles (NE) | The Villager (508) 987-8731 |
Parking | (None) |
Entry | (None) |
Riding | (None) |
Camping | (None) |
Pros | nice single track, beautiful scenery, good variety of easy and technical trails |
Cons | small parking area, no camping |
Our Rating | Excellent |
Recommended Stay | Full Day |
Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
Nearest City | Oxford, MA | ||
Address | Clara Barton Road, North Oxford, MA 01537 | ||
| From: Worcester, MA
1) Take I-290 West to Exit 11B (I-290 turns into I-395) 2) Turn right (west) off the exit ramp Washington Street/US-20, continue 1.7 miles 3) Veer left (south) onto SR-12, continue 1.4 miles 4) Turn right (west) on Clara Barton Road, continue .2 miles 5) Turn left (south) after bridge, continue about .5 miles 6) Staging area is on the right. |
Contact Info | US Army Corps of Engineers - Hodges Village Dam 48 Old Oxford Road Charlton, MA 01507 (508) 248-5697 nicole.c.giles@usace.army.mil www.nae.usace.army.mil |
Contact Info | Massachusetts Environmental Police 251 Causeway Street Suite 101 Boston, MA 02114 (617) 626-1610 www.mass.gov |
Comment | Motorcycle Registration Info |
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS