Overview
Hindsdale is a small rural community deep in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts. It mostly offers outdoor recreation and camping opportunities.
2 sights · 10 things to do · 4 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hinsdale
Lake Ashmere
Hinsdale Town Library
Erected 1866, the building is in French Tudor style, a rare style for New England
Bas Ridge Country Club
Golf course; accepts walk-ins
Ashmere Lake Boat Ramp
Boat launch and small beach for Lake Ashmere.
Ashmere Island
An island in the northern part of the lake. Great for picnicking; if doing so, all traces of food must be picked up and taken with you! Only accessible by boat except in cases where the water has frozen deep enough to su…
Cleveland Brook Reservoir
Reservoir popular for fishing and birdwatching. There are no formal parking areas; instead, park on the roadside, making sure that one's vehicle is fully off of the road. From there, the reservoir beaches can be accessed…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Albany)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 41 mi away (major hub). Directions
- ALB Albany International Airport, Albany — 41 mi away (major hub). Directions
The best way into Hinsdale is MA Route 8, which runs northwest from Dalton, through Hinsdale, and then south into Washington. MA Route 143, whose eastern terminus originates off MA Route 9 in Williamsburg, terminates in Hinsdale and is the best route into the town from the east. While it is possible to travel to Hinsdale on foot from neighboring towns, the best means of travel is by car.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $10–$2600 a night (typical $160), from 25 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $15 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$220, comfortable ~$2740.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hinsdale Town Library, Bas Ridge Country Club, Old Mill Trail
- Lunch Ozzie's Steak and Eggs
- Afternoon Plunkette Reservoir, Hinsdale Flats WMA Parking at Middlefield Rd
- Dinner Hinsdale Pizza House
Day 2
- Morning Lake Ashmere
- Lunch Topsy's Treats
- Afternoon Ashmere Lake Boat Ramp
- Dinner Krispy Krunchy Chicken
Day 3
- Morning Ashmere Island
- Afternoon Cleveland Brook Reservoir
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The area that is now Hinsdale used to be Mohican land, bordering land that was Pocumtuc and Mohican. It was first colonized by Europeans in 1763. It was incorporated as "Partridgefield" in 1771, named for Oliver Partridge, one of the three purchasers of the town. The Western Parish of Partridgefield broke away from its eastern half and incorporated in 1804, renaming itself for the family of the reverend Theodore Hinsdale. Hinsdale owned an important woolen mill, which remained important to the economy of the town until it closed during the Great Depression.
Hinsdale is bordered by Dalton to the west, Washington to the south, Peru to the east, and Windsor to the north. The Appalachian Trail runs through forest in the southeast of the town but has no designated trailheads or overnight sleeping areas in the Hinsdale section.
Get in
The best way into Hinsdale is MA Route 8, which runs northwest from Dalton, through Hinsdale, and then south into Washington. MA Route 143, whose eastern terminus originates off MA Route 9 in Williamsburg, terminates in Hinsdale and is the best route into the town from the east. While it is possible to travel to Hinsdale on foot from neighboring towns, the best means of travel is by car.
Get around
The main roads of Hinsdale are traversable on foot, but going further afield on foot is more difficult and more time consuming. Car is the best means of transportation around town. Cycling is also possible.
See
See Lake Ashmere
Do
Golf
Outdoor lake, trail, and wilderness
Do Ashmere Island
An island in the northern part of the lake. Great for picnicking; if doing so, all traces of food must be picked up and taken with you! Only accessible by boat except in cases where the water has frozen deep enough to support going on foot over the ice. The boat launch in the far south of the lake is the only public access point for watercraft.
Do Cleveland Brook Reservoir
Reservoir popular for fishing and birdwatching. There are no formal parking areas; instead, park on the roadside, making sure that one's vehicle is fully off of the road. From there, the reservoir beaches can be accessed on foot.
Do Hinsdale Flats Wildlife Management Area
Over 1,900 acres of wildlife preserve. Available to the public for hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, trapping, and hiking. In addition to the parking areas listed below, parking can also be found along Creamery Rd, Bullard's Crossing Rd, Buttermilk Rd, and E Washington Rd.
Do Hinsdale Flats WMA Parking at Bullard's Crossing Rd
Southern parking area for Hinsdale Flats WMA.
Do Hinsdale Flats WMA Parking at Middlefield Rd
One of two northern parking areas for Hinsdale Flats WMA. This parking location and access road are usually only open for the spring turkey and fall hunting seasons.
Do Hinsdale Flats WMA Parking at Middlefield Rd/Fassell Rd
One of two northern parking areas for Hinsdale Flats WMA. As the other parking area is closed much of the year, this is the more reliable of the two.
Do Old Mill Trail
3 miles of forest trail, of which 1.4 miles is wheelchair accessible. Open to the public for hiking, birdwatching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fishing, hunting, geocaching, picnicking, and dog walking. The trail follows the East Branch Housatonic River and offers great views of said river.
Buy
Eat
Eat Hinsdale Pizza House
Pizza, Italian, and Greek food. Has dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
Eat Krispy Krunchy Chicken
Hinsdale location of a national fried chicken restaurant chain. Inside the Hinsdale Food Mart
Eat Ozzie's Steak and Eggs
American cuisine, serves breakfast and lunch
Eat Topsy's Treats
Ice cream shop. Hard serve made in house, and soft serve.
Sleep
If you want an indoor hotel experience, you will have to go nearby; Hinsdale only offers outdoor campsites as listed below. For hotels or other similar lodging, look in Peru, Windsor, Cummington, Dalton, and Pittsfield.
Stay Fernwood Forest Campground
Campground with pop up tenting spaces, tents, camper rentals, and RV camping spaces. Includes WiFi, campfire spaces, a recreation hall, and an outdoor playground and lawn games area. Contact for season and rates information. Business hours 8AM-8PM daily. 2025 season was May 1 - October 15.
Go next
Visit Pittsfield and Great Barrington to the west or go further even west to Albany and the New York Capital District. East is Northampton and Amherst, and southeast is Springfield. South on MA Route 8 goes to Torrington and Waterbury, Connecticut.
Nearby
Dalton
City / town · 51 listings · 3 mi away
October Mountain State Forest
Park · 31 listings · 5 mi away
Pittsfield
City / town · 39 listings · 7 mi away
Becket
City / town · 1 listings · 7 mi away
Cummington
City / town · 5 listings · 7 mi away
Lanesborough
City / town · 30 listings · 8 mi away
Cheshire
City / town · 37 listings · 9 mi away
Lenox
City / town · 53 listings · 10 mi away
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