Dana Commons is a 7.2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Petersham, Massachusetts and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
Walk or bike through history at Dana Commons. Stone walls, cellar holes. No pets please.
Quabbin Administration Bldg. 485 Ware Rd. Belchertown, MA 01007 Phone: 413-323-7221 Email: clif.read@state.ma.us Web: www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/quabbin.htm
From Petersham center, go south on Rte 32 0.3 mi. Turn right on Rte. 122, go 0.5 mi., and turn left onto Hardwick Rd., Rte. 32A. Proceed approx. 3 mi. to gate, on right. To reach the center of Dana enter Quabbin through Gate 40 off of Rte. 32A in Petersham.
February 12, 2021February 10, 2021February 3, 2021January 16, 2021Make sure you read up on the history of Quabbin Reservoir before you go! This is a fantastic historic hike. Mostly paved, but plenty of unpaved side trails to explore as well.
January 7, 2021One of the best trails
January 5, 2021December 13, 2020An eerie warm hike/walk because of the fog.
November 29, 2020Fantastic easy stroll. Good distance. Parking lot was crowded but we didn’t see many on the trail.
November 28, 2020Very nice walk on old country roads. Dana Commons is about 2 miles in from Route 32A. The Commons, surrounding foundations from buildings long gone, and the related history make it very interesting. Following road 40-4 down to Graves Landing, and the waters edge, adds another 2 miles. The walk is through nicely wooded areas with the potential for seeing wildlife.
November 25, 20205-star if what you want is easy, pleasant, old road stroll, 3-star if you are expecting more challenge. Nice woods, with fairly active wintering bird community, plus there are mergansers on the water.
November 22, 2020October 22, 2020Let me get this straight. It is a old road. Otherwise It is a great walk! One would not call it a hike. Watch out for snakes! You go to the ruined “Ghost town” which has signs where the buildings used to be. Then after you keep going you get to the Reservoir and the tall grass makes it a spooky setting! -The White Mountains kid Age 9
October 11, 2020Great easy trail. Nice surprise ahead if you’ve never been to Dana Commons. A once thriving town from the 1830’s-1938 before it would be flooded out to become part of the Quabbin Resevoir. 3 other towns would also fall victim to this in the early 20’s. Beautiful but eerie ghost town!
September 20, 2020Easy paved trail through a town, Dana, abandoned in the early 20th century, I assume because of the filling of the Quabbin reservoir.
September 19, 2020Old paved road from gate 40 all the way to Dana commons. Not very busy and other walkers and riders were polite. Interesting thing to see along the way.
August 28, 2020August 9, 2020Mix trail, mix of pavement and dirt roads, the reservoir is beautiful and the woods, fields, and ruins created diverse scenery. We went a little off the loop so ended up doing 10 miles instead of the 7.2.
May 28, 2020Nice way to spend an afternoon and see the remnants of Dana. To get to Dana you walk about 2.5 miles down a road. Pretty straightforward. after a while you will start to see some of the fields from the old farm houses. Eventually you come to the former town. really peaceful place to just sit and listen to your thoughts. there are also some game trails and logging roads that you can pick up from the main drag. The only downside is that there isnt much signage.
May 27, 2020So beautiful and really historical. Old roads make the perfect place for a longer run!
April 5, 2020Easy, wide trails, suburban roads width. Beautiful views of the Quabbin if you continue past Dana Commons. Very interesting hike, will return once more leaves are on the trees. Recommend for all ages. Limited parking.
March 28, 2020great abandoned towns
March 22, 2020March 9, 2020Nice hike. Cool to see the Common. Beautiful view of Quabbin at the end - will budget more time to spend there next time. Fairly level with some elevation change closer to the water.
February 23, 2020Gorgeous 50 degree day in February. Loved this hike! It was cool to see the foundations of the old houses. I liked seeing the Dana town common. There were small signs with pictures showing what building was there before it was demolished. Also got a great view of the water. Small streams make it relaxing next to the trail. Not overly busy trail and everyone was very friendly. I highly recommend this hike! I went to the petersham country store after! Definitely a place to check out.
January 11, 2019awsome place
November 24, 2018Nice and easy walk. Ignore the person who gave it one star because she couldn’t bring her dog. If she doesn’t know what Quabbin is—a reservoir for a public drinking water supply—then she shouldn’t get to review it. Dogs aren’t allowed for good reason, just as people aren’t allowed to swim in the water. It’s not hard to understand.
July 17, 2018It’s a nice trail but the bugs were AWFUL! We all got bit quite a few times. I think it’s probably better on bikes, going faster should keep the flies off of you.
May 13, 2018Great path, easy walk, great scenery.
January 21, 2018no dogs allowed I just drove all the way here to find out
