Preserve, Restore, Discover

The Westfield River and its tributary streams are some of the best cold water fisheries in the Commonwealth with excellent water quality  supporting many native fish and other species. The river and its corridor support a large number of rare native plants and animals, offering critical and essential habitat for waterfowl, dragonflies, salamanders, otter and many large mammals. The Wild & Scenic segments of the river flow freely without barriers such as dams which is the keystone of a federal Wild & Scenic river designation.

The river has unique geological features, such as the Chesterfield Gorge, the largest gorge in Massachusetts, and other unique rock formations such as the Windsor Jambs. Several tributary streams have impressive waterfalls, cascades and small gorges including Glendale Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the state. The upper watershed is one of the largest roadless wilderness areas remaining in the state with connected wildlife corridors and darker skies.

For millennia, the river supported Indigenous peoples with its wealth of plant and animal life. In the Colonial period it brought water power for mills and early settlements. During the Industrial Revolution, the Keystone Arches, an engineering feat of mortarless stone bridges that span the West Branch, were built. The Keystone Arches are a part of the world’s first mountain railway, are designated a National Historic Landmark and still bear the weight of modern trains.

The Westfield River and tributaries offer four seasons of outdoor recreation including: fishing, hiking, wildlife spotting and paddling. In spring anglers catch wild brook trout and whitewater paddlers take on rushing water challenges. The country’s oldest whitewater kayak and canoe races, The Westfield River Wildwater Races take place on the Westfield each April. Abundant marshes, riverside meadows and forests offer bird watching, animal tracking, plant identification and more. There are marked trails to hike,  cross country ski and snowshoe on state, town and nonprofit parklands. Biking or running on the Hilltown’s quiet backroads provides an energizing workout and gorgeous scenery.