Home > Massachusetts > Franklin Trails

Franklin Trails

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Trail Map

Other Names

Franklin State Forest, Forge Hill

Last Known Status

Closed For Season

This wooded area in southeastern Massachusetts has just a few miles of fairly easy and flat single track. The main loop has the usual rocks and roots but nothing too challenging.

This is a decent place to bring kids and beginners since there are just enough rocks, roots and mud to make it interesting but very few hills, nothing steep, and nothing is without a bypass.

Note that the parking space is very limited (park curbside on the road across from the water tower or on the dirt in front of the radio tower). This is only about a 30 minute to 1 hour ride at best so don't plan a big trip here.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	Massachusetts Registration Sticker
Dates Open	May 1 through last Sunday in November
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 dawn to dusk
Trail Blazing	Prohibited	keep on designated trails
Alcohol	Prohibited
Rule Enforcement	Few/Periodic	Dedicated Rangers/Officers

TERRAIN

Approx Size	843 acres (1 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail	8
Climate Type	Forest
Elevation	250 to 350 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose Dirt	Little
Hard Pack	Mostly
Sand	None
Mud	Some
Dust	Little
Rocks	Little
Trees	All
Steep Hills	None
Water Crossings	Few
Small Jumps	Few	has one large rock step-off that you can jump from (or bypass)
Large Jumps	None
Berms	Few
Sand/Gravel Pits	None
Single Track	Many
Roads	None
Intersections	Some
Rider Traffic	Few
Shade	Some
Ranges/Gunfire	None
Hazards	None
Novice	Mostly
Amateur	Little
Expert	None

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails

Land	State Forest

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	1-5 Miles (N)	Franklin Mobil (508) 520-1588
Diesel	1-5 Miles (N)	Franklin
Water	1-5 Miles (E)	Franklin
RV Hookup	5-20 Miles (SE)	Canoe River Campground (508) 339-6462
RV Disposal	5-20 Miles (SE)	Canoe River Campground (508) 339-6462
Campground	5-20 Miles (SE)	Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort (508) 543-7600
Conv Store	1-5 Miles (E)	Old Gold Convenience Store (508) 520-0481

FEES & PASSES

Parking	(None)
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	(None)

RATINGS

Pros	scenic forest
Cons	small area, not many trails, parking is limited
Our Rating	Good
Recommended Stay	Half Day
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Franklin, MA

Address

Forge Hill Road, Franklin, MA 02038

Trail Map

From: Milford, MA
1) Take I-495 South to Exit 17
2) Turn right (west) off the exit ramp, continue about 100 yards
3) Turn left at the T-intersection, continue about .3 miles
4) Turn right on Forge Hill Road, continue about .8 miles
5) Parking is adjacent across from the water tower.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact Info

Franklin State Forest
45 Mill Street
Foxboro, MA 02035
(508) 543-9084
f.g.hills@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov

Contact Info	Massachusetts Environmental Police 251 Causeway Street, Suite 101 Boston, MA 02114 (617) 626-1610 www.mass.gov
Comment	motorcycle registration info