Location: Chesterfield, MA Stream : Westfield River Finding : Easy Access : Easy
Chesterfield Gorge is owned by the Trustees of the Reservations , a Massachusetts organization that owns a number of interesting natural areas in the state. The reservation is located on River Road. From the center of West Chesterfield, turn south off route 143. Follow the signs. The gorge is easy to find.
Today I visited this spot with my friend John and his girlfriend. We didn't stay long. We parked in the deserted parking area (too early in the season for most people) and walked down to the edge of the gorge. The gorge was right next to the parking area---there was no significant hiking involved.
The gorge itself was interesting enough, but not particularly spectacular. The Westfield River was large and deep as it flowed through the gorge. However, there weren't any significant waterfalls. The gorge was about fifty feet deep and had sheer walls that went right down to the water. You couldn't get down into the gorge so all the views were from above. That is less than ideal.
This spot is worth a stop if you are driving through, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.
Return to the list of New England wateralls.