Towns in the Deerfield River Watershed:​
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Adams
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Ashfield
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Bernardston
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Buckland
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Charlemont
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Colrain
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Conway
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Deerfield
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Florida
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Goshen
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Greenfield
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Hawley
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Heath
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Leyden
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Monroe
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North Adams
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Plainfield
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Rowe
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Savoy
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Shelburne
Major Tributaries:
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Cold River
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Chickley River
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Bear River
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South River
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Green River
Organizations that work in the Deerfield River Watershed:
To learn more about
Deerfield River events, click here!
Deerfield River Activities
Swimming
Walk, Hike, Bike
Paddling
Boating & Sailing
Fishing
Swimming
Water quality levels vary, and more info can be found about the water quality here. To see more specific and updated water quality reports on the deerfield, visit Is it clean?.
Swimming locations: ​
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Whirley Baths (Charlemont). Gentle whitewater swirls around the shallow baths here. There’s a large pool at the end of the cascades that also great for swimming.
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Directions: From North Adams, take MA2E past the Charlemont town line sign. The parking area will be 1.3 miles down the road (note the 30-minute parking limit).
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Shunpike Rest Area (Charlemont). This park provides a good stop off Route 2 for tubing, kayaking, swimming, etc.
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South River State Forest (Conway). The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Besides swimming, this area allows for hiking, camping, and fishing.
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Cascades on Dunbar Brook (Monroe). These cascades, located on Dunbar brook, are next to the river. It is located on River Road
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Zoar Picnic Area (Rowe). Run by the town of Rowe, this well maintained picnic area provides a scenic secluded segment of the Deerfield. It is fairly rocky, but it can fill up if the dam upstream is released.
Walk, Hike, Bike,
Walking, hiking, and biking locations:
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Negus Mountain Trailhead (Drury). There is an informal parking lot leads to Negus Mountain in the Berkshires.
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Raycroft Outlook Trailhead (Florida). The view includes the rolling hills of Western Massachusetts and of the Deerfield River. There is a nice hike up to a lookout.
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Park at the Raycroft Outlook trailhead.
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Temple Woods/Highland Park (Greenfield). This area provides beautiful hiking trails near the confluence of the Deerfield and Connecticut River. For more info, click here.
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Trail Head Picnic Area (Rowe). Beautiful secluded picnic area between the Deerfield and Dunbar brook. ​
Camping locations:
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Mohawk Trail Campground (Charlemont). Although located on the Cold River, this campground is right near the confluence of the Deerfield and the Cold River. There are many tent camping sites, as well as for RVs. There are 5 cabins to rent year-round. Click here for more information.
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Country Aire Campground (Shelburne Falls). This campsite is only a few minutes up the road from the river. For more information, click here.
Paddling
The water is generally more shallow, so kayaking and canoeing can occur only when the water is higher.
Paddling locations:​
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Shunpike Rest Area (Charlemont). This area has picnic tables and provides access for tubing, kayaking and swimming. It's located on MA Route 2.
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Intersection between Rt 5 and River Road (Greenfield).
Boating & Sailing
Boat rental locations:​
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Berkshire U-Drive Boat Rental (Pittsfield) Click here for information.
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1651 North St
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Onota Boat Livery (Pittsfield) Besides being a boat rental, this livery sells new and used boats, fishing tackle, live bait, ice fishing supplies, and more. Click here to view the website.
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463 Pecks Rd
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Valley Paddler (Easthampton) This is a kayak, canoe, and pedal boat rental. Click here to view the website.
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Nashawannuck Pond Dam
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Guided trips:
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Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort (Charlemont) This place has guided trips in kayaking, white water rafting, ziplining, and more. Click here to view the website.
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Crab Apple Whitewater (Charlemont) A family owned company for rafting tours. Click here to view the website.
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Tubing locations:
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Hyytinen Hollow (Charlemont) Click here to view the website.
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Fishing
The deerfield river is home to native trout. For information about fishing on the Deerfield River, click here. Also, the Deerfield River Trout Unlimited provides extensive information and updates about the river as a coldwater fishery. For additional updates regarding the fishing the river, click here.