Doane's Falls facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Doane's Falls
Location	Massachusetts, United States
Established	1959
Operator	The Trustees of Reservations
Website	Doane's Falls

Doane's Falls is a beautiful series of five waterfalls in Royalston, Massachusetts. They are found along a small part of Lawrence Brook. This brook is like a small stream that flows into a bigger river called the Millers River. The water for the falls starts at Laurel Lake in Fitzwilliam.

The waterfalls are part of a large, protected natural area. This area covers about 46-acre (19 ha) of land. A group called The Trustees of Reservations bought and protected this land in 1959. They are a non-profit organization that helps save special places.

A long walking path called the Tully Trail goes right through the Doane's Falls property. This trail is about 22-mile (35 km) long.

What Can You Do at Doane's Falls?

This natural area is a great place for outdoor activities. You can go fishing in the brook. It's also perfect for walking, picnicking, and hiking.

Safety Rules for Visitors

To keep everyone safe, some activities are not allowed. Swimming and wading in the falls were stopped in 2002. This was for safety reasons after some accidents.

You can still enjoy the water in other ways. Canoeing and kayaking are allowed upstream from the falls. This area is called Coddings Meadow. It's a calm, flat part of Lawrence Brook.

Doane's Falls and Nearby Nature Areas

Doane's Falls is part of a much bigger network of protected lands. These areas are all connected by the Tully Trail. This means you can explore many natural spots in one trip.

Connected Natural Spaces

The protected areas include several important places:

• The United States Army Corps of Engineers manages the Tully Lake flood control project. This helps prevent floods.
• The Trustees of Reservations also owns other nearby properties. These include Jacobs Hill and Royalston Falls.
• There is also state forest land in Massachusetts. All these areas work together to protect nature.

Tully Lake Campground Nearby

Right next to Doane's Falls, on the west side, is Tully Lake Campground. This is a special campground with 35 sites. You can only walk in or use tents here. The Army Corps of Engineers and The Trustees of Reservations work together to manage it.

History of Doane's Falls

The waterfalls are named after a man named Amos Doane. He lived in the 1800s.

Amos Doane's Mill

Amos Doane used the power of the falls for his business. He had a mill on Lawrence Brook. In his mill, he made things like doors, window sashes, and blinds. There were other mills along the falls too. Today, you can only see the old foundations of these mills.

Images for kids

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  Long exposure of Doane's Falls. Photo courtesy of David Wornham

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  Doanes Falls, Lower Falls. Photo courtesy of Mark Thatcher Oct 2020