About Pleasant Valley

The barn at Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in winter

Set amidst more than 1,000 lush acres in the Berkshires, Pleasant Valley’s varied trails wind through forests, meadows, wetlands, and along the slopes of Lenox Mountain, making this site an excellent location for easy-to-strenuous hiking.

While exploring, there’s a good chance you will see evidence of the sanctuary's most visible wildlife resident—the beaver—via dams, dens, or lodges.

Location

472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA 01240
Get directions or contact us >

Hours

Nature Center & Barn

Monday-Sunday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Indoor, accessible restrooms are located in the Barn; portable restrooms are also available.

Trails

Open daily, dawn to dusk

Admission

Members & Lenox Residents: Free
Nonmembers: $5 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.

Facilities

Acres & Trail Mileage

1,405 acres and 7 miles of trails (universally accessible: 0.3 miles)

Details & map >

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. 

Sanctuary Highlights

  • A universally accessible All Persons Trail that winds past towering hemlocks to a boardwalk, where visitors can watch for wildlife from a deck overlooking Pike’s Pond, with trail materials in large print, Braille, audio, and tactile formats.
  • A challenging hike to the summit of Lenox Mountain for unrivaled views of the Berkshires.
  • Active beaver colony that can sometimes be viewed from the Pike’s Pond viewing platform.
  • Canoe trips offered on the Housatonic River and area lakes from late June through Columbus Day.
  • Berkshire Nature Camp, which has been connecting children with the nature of the Berkshires' outdoors since 1947.