ADAMS, Mass. — The site of Mt. Greylock is a mystical one full of history and beauty–an inspiration to renowned authors and artists. 

Historically the road to the summit reopens making the view of five states on a clear day including the Berkshires, Green Mountains of Vermont, White Mountains of New Hampshire, and the Catskills and Adirondacks of New York. 

Hikers driven to trek up the 3,491-foot summit using some of the over 70 miles of trails in its 12,500-acre reservation will experience the state’s only subalpine taiga-boreal forest featuring rare plants, animals, and wonderful views. Download the trailmap here. 

During the journey the sounds of nature come together and guide the hikers that dare adventure there from the high pitch squeaking from the cluster of Cedar waxwing, the scuffing of the scavenging Red Squirrel, to the clashing of the trees.

After a long day of hiking the many winding trails and reaching the top of the mountain sit atop the summit and gaze at the magnificent, well earned view as the sun sets and the sky transforms into a blaze of red and orange.

Upon nightfall voyagers are encouraged to stay at the historic Bascom Lodge, which will open for the 2026 season on May 23. More information here. 

Built in 1930 the stone and wood lodge has a history of its own. Inside those walls is a story of past adventures who explored the surrounding trails. Sit by the warm fireplace after a long day of exploring and listen to the sound of nature.

The distinct call of the Barred Owl is all that can be heard on those chill nights. Fall asleep to its haunting song and awaken the next morning to the fog that answered its tune.
 
Mt Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts being 3,489 feet and has been the inspiration to many legendary writers including Herman Melvile, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and J.K. Rolling because of its beauty and supernatural folklore.

It was the inspiration behind Melvile’s Moby Dick and is believed that the whale was inspired by the way Mt. Greylock looked from the window of his Arrowhead home on a snowy winter day in Pittsfield Massachusetts.

Thoreau was inspired by Mt. Greylock after spending the night atop the mountain in 1884 and awakened to fog which he referenced in his first novel calling it "an undulating country of clouds."

Nathaniel Hawthorne references the legendary summit in his short story “Ethan Brand”, which he wrote after hiking the mountain in the dark. His story takes a sinister tone telling the story of a man who operates a furnace on Mount “Gray Lock” and is obsessed with finding the “Unpardonable sin.”

More recently, J.K. Rolling referenced the summit in one of her online short stories about North American witches and wizards that attend a school on top of Mount Greylock called Ilvermorny.

Mt Greylock was the first designated state park in 1898 encompassing 400 acres but has since then expanded and now covers 12,000 acres and is a stop along the Appalachian Trail and is located in the northwest corner of Massachusetts. The mountain also contains the Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial. This 93-foot tower honors the veterans that fought in World War 1.

The park is open to visitors daily from 9 am until 4pm, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. The roads to the summit are closed for the winter season but reopen sometime in May. 

Parking fees are determined by vehicle license plates and costs $20 for non-MA residents and $5 for MA residents. Voyagers are welcome to stay at the Bascom Lodge located at the top of the summit. Rates can be found on their website.