Erving State Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Erving State Forest |
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Laurel Lake
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 Erving State Forest
Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | Erving, Warwick, Orange, Franklin, Massachusetts, United States |
| Area | 2,422 acres (9.80 km2) |
| Elevation | 764 ft (233 m) |
| Established | 1920 |
| Operator | Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation |
| Website | Erving State Forest |
Erving State Forest is a cool place in Massachusetts where you can explore nature and have fun outdoors! It's a forest owned by the public, located near the Millers River in the towns of Erving, Warwick, and Orange.
At the heart of the forest is Laurel Lake, a 51-acre (21 ha) body of water. People have been coming to Laurel Lake for fun since the 1930s. Many of the forest's roads and hiking trails were built by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation takes care of the forest today.
Forest History
Erving State Forest started in 1920. Back then, it was called Laurel Lake Forest. This happened after a new law allowed the state to buy more forest land.
A special group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked at Laurel Lake. They were there from 1933 to 1937. The CCC built many things we still use today. They created a beach, a campground, and a picnic area. They also built a new dam and other helpful features. The main forest office building was added later, in the 1950s.
About the Forest Land
Erving State Forest is mostly covered in trees and hills. It stretches about 2½ miles wide in the middle of Massachusetts. The forest also includes some smaller pieces of land nearby.
Laurel Lake is right in the center of the forest. It's about a quarter-mile wide and one mile long. Around the lake, there are about 35 houses, mostly on the north side. The lake got its name because of the many mountain laurel flowers that grow along its edges.
Plants and Animals of the Forest
Laurel Lake is home to many different kinds of fish. You might find large mouth bass, rainbow trout, and brook trout. Other fish include yellow perch, pickerel, and blue gill. Eels also live in the lake.
Many other animals live in and around the lake. Look for snapping and painted turtles. You might also see heron birds, beavers, and eastern newts. Frogs like the bullfrog and leopard frog are common too.
The forest itself is full of wildlife. Large animals like black bears and white tail deer live here. You might also spot porcupines, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons. Small ground squirrels scamper through the trees.
Besides the beautiful mountain laurel, other interesting flowers grow here. Keep an eye out for pitcher plants, which are unique. You might also see the orange daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) and the lovely painted trillium.
Fun Things to Do
Erving State Forest is a great place for outdoor activities. You can go hiking on the many trails. Swimming is popular at Laurel Lake. In winter, you can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Fishing is allowed, and you can also hunt during certain seasons.
Laurel Lake has a boat ramp for easy access. There's also a beach where you can relax. A campground is open during certain times of the year if you want to stay overnight.
The Laurel Trail starts behind the ranger station at Laurel Lake beach. From this trail, you can get a great view of Mount Monadnock. Part of the long, 110-mile Metacomet-Monadnock Trail also goes through the western side of the forest. Some trails are also used for snowmobiling and four-wheeling.
