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Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary

Explore Laughing Brook’s 356 acres of woodlands, meadows, and streams along its four-mile trail system. Be on the lookout for the many signs of wildlife that live at the sanctuary, including fishers, warblers, thrushes, various reptiles, and amphibians. Listen for the running brook and for kingfishers and other migratory birds, which signal the return of spring at Laughing Brook. A variety of wildlife tracks can be found in the winter snow. In the fall, enjoy the many colors of the forest and the wildflower-filled meadow. Laughing Brook was once the home of beloved children's author Thornton Burgess and the beautiful brook inspired many of his timeless tales.

Location:
Hampden, MA

For more information:
800-710-4550
arcadia@massaudubon.org

Trail Hours:
Trails open every day, dawn to dusk.
Parking
Picnicking
Information Kiosk
Trail Map
Boardwalk, Wildlife Blinds, or Towers
Showshoeing

For Your Safety
  • Do not feed any animals
  • Stay on trails to avoid ticks and poison ivy
  • Do not smoke anywhere on the sanctuary
  • Do not pick or collect plants or crops without permission
Avoid Conflicts with Wildlife
  • Do not bring pets, leashed or unleashed, on to the site
  • Picnic only in designated areas
  • Do not bring motorized vehicles or bicycles onto the site
  • Hunting, fishing, or trapping are not permitted

Admission:
$3 for nonmember adults;
$2 for nonmember children (3-12) and seniors

Directions:
From Rt I-91 in Springfield: Take either exit 2 (northbound) or exit 4 (southbound) to Rt 83; Rt 83 quickly becomes Sumner Avenue. Follow Sumner Avenue (it turns into Allen Street in Hampden) for 8.1 miles. At the intersection near a McDonald’s, bear right and stay on Allen Street. At the end of Allen Street, take a left onto Main Street in Hampden. The sanctuary entrance is 2 miles down Main Street on the left.

From Boston/Worcester/Palmer: Take the Mass. Turnpike (Rt I-90) to exit 8 in Palmer. Take a right into Palmer Center, then take Rt 20 west (toward Springfield) for 5.3 miles. Turn left (opposite the Wilbraham Fire Department) onto Main Street in Wilbraham. Follow Main Street (it turns into Wilbraham Road in Hampden) for 6.6 miles to the "Stop" sign and turn left onto Allen Street. After 0.2 miles on Allen Street (past St. Mary’s church), take a left onto Main Street in Hampden. The sanctuary entrance is 2 miles down Main Street on the left.

Acres:
356

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