Skinner State Park - Hadley-South Hadley, MA
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 42° 17.721 W 072° 35.867
18T E 698028 N 4685363
The J. A. Skinner State Park surrounds the summit of Mt. Holyoke, and affords hikers and motorists great vistas of the Connecticut River Valley, several natural features, and several miles of hiking trails.
Waymark Code: WMC394
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 07/19/2011
Views: 6
Along the Hadley-South Hadley town line is the J. A. Skinner State Park. This park encompasses most of Mt Holyoke, and is best known for its spectacular vista of the Connecticut River Valley at its summit.
According to the park's web site, the park was established in 1940 when Joseph A. Skinner, owner of the mountain and the Summit House at the top, gave the property over to the state, on the condition that the park be named after him. Together, this and the Holyoke Range State Parks protect the Holyoke Range, also known as "The Seven Sisters," which is a noticable line of hill peaks in an area that is largely flat.
The main access to the summit is the mountain road. This road is paved and not difficult to drive. The parking lot at the top is rather small and can be hard to maneuver the car to an open spot.
The Summit House is presently closed, but the web site states that renovations will be completed by the fall of 2011. This was once a hotel. A structure has been on this summit since about 1825. This present structure likely goes back to about 1850, though the web site is not clear. There are picnic areas also on the summit, somwhat away from the Summit House.
In addition to the road, there are miles of trails that provide great hiking opportunities. Do download a map to take advantage of them.
See the web site for details on when the park is open. There is no admission charged to enter it.
Park Type: Day Use
Activities:
Picnic, trails, sight seeing.
Background:
The structure on the summit was once a hotel that has been there as early as 1850.
Date Established?: 6/19/1940
Link to Park: [Web Link]
Park Fees: Not listed
Additional Entrance Points: Not Listed
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