About Arcadia

A section of the Mill River floodplain forest in western Massachusetts
Mill River floodplain forest

Spanning Easthampton and Northampton, Arcadia's diverse terrain (forest, meadows, grasslands, marsh, and wetlands) attracts an extraordinary variety of wildlife.

Visitors will also find a thriving population of wildflowers, thanks to the sanctuary's rich, loamy soil that's characteristic of the Connecticut River floodplain.

Location

127 Combs Road, Easthampton, MA 01027
Get directions or contact us >

Hours

Nature Center

Monday-Friday, 9 am–3 pm • Saturday, 9 am–4 pm • Sunday, 10 am–2 pm

Trails

Open every day, dawn to dusk

Admission

Members: Free
Nonmembers: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors (65+), $3 Children (2-12)

As a way to increase access to nature, Mass Audubon also offers several free admission programs at our wildlife sanctuaries.

Savannah Sparrow singing in spring at Arcadia © Phil Doyle
Savannah Sparrow at Arcadia © Phil Doyle

Facilities

Acres 

751

Trail Mileage

4 miles (universally accessible: 850 feet)
Get details & map >

Sanctuary Highlights

  • Rope-guided universally accessible All Persons Trail, with interpretation available in large print, Braille, and tactile formats; please call Arcadia for trail conditions.
  • Canoeing or kayaking on the Mill River through Arcadia or along the Connecticut River, where you're likely to see a variety of wildlife.
  • Observation tower and wetland boardwalk, which offer wildlife viewing opportunities in sensitive habitats.
  • Nature Play Area, where kids can build fairy homes, sit in a tepee made of black locust and grapevine branches, play in the sumac paths or master the stump jump.
  • Expansive grasslands home to nesting Bobolinks, American Kestrels, and other grassland birds.
  • Nestled among the trees on the Tulip Tree Trail is our Art House where you can stop by spring-fall to express and create your own artistic interpretation of the sanctuary. 

Property Regulations

All of the land at our wildlife sanctuaries is protected. By conserving these open spaces, Mass Audubon, along with our members and partners, is able to fulfill its mission of protecting the nature of Massachusetts. When visiting, please take note of the following regulations: 

  • No dog walking or horseback riding; please leave all animals and pets at home (service animals welcome) 
  • No walking off trail  
  • No collecting or picking natural items
  • No bike riding or operating motorized vehicles; day passes are available for powered mobility devices   
  • No running, swimming, or camping 
  • No operating drones or other remote-controlled vehicles   
  • No fishing, hunting, trapping, or releasing of animals   
  • No feeding wildlife   
  • No smoking 

Photography Guidelines

Mass Audubon welcomes visitors to capture the beauty and wonder of our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries through photography. If you would like to use a wildlife sanctuary for commercial photography purposes, please review the complete guidelines and learn how to schedule a time.