You'd Never Know One Of The Most Incredible Natural Wonders In Massachusetts Is Hiding In This Tiny Park
By Melissa Mahoney|Published February 17, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
We all know that Massachusetts is a wonderful state to visit and live in. It’s also filled with natural wonders we should all take some time to see and explore. One such natural wonder is tucked away in a small(ish) park in Great Barrington. Monument Mountain is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in Massachusetts and must be seen to be believed.
Overseen by The Trustees of Reservations, Monument Mountain Reservation is just over 500 acres in size. The park is somewhat small compared to many of the other parks around the state.
Monument Mountain is a 2.5-mile long ridgeline made of quartzite. And it's summit, known as Peeskawso Peak, is at an elevation of 1,642 feet and overlooks the breathtaking beauty of the Housatonic Valley.
This impressive natural wonder has long remained a sacred place for the Mohican tribe. It's also been a place of inspiration for artists and writers including Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville.
In the preserve, there are a total of three trails. The 1.5-mile Mohican Monument Trail is perhaps the most scenic as it leads through pastures, past old stone walls, and along historic paths.
You can also take the 0.8-mile Hickory Trail from the parking lot to Monument Mountain's summit or the Peeskawso Peak Trail, a 0.6-mile trek with amazing views along the way. And seeing the views from atop this natural wonder in Massachusetts is absolutely spectacular!
So, have you ever been to Monument Mountain? What are some of your favorite natural wonders in Massachusetts? Tell us in the comments! To learn more about Monument Mountain, visit The Trustees’ website.