Royalston Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royalston Falls |
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| Established | 1951 |
| Operator | The Trustees of Reservations |
| Website | Royalston Falls |
Royalston Falls is a beautiful natural spot in Royalston, Massachusetts. It features a 50-foot (about 15-meter) waterfall and a deep, narrow valley called a granite gorge. This amazing place is found along Falls Brook. This brook flows into the Tully River, which then joins the Millers River.
Royalston Falls is part of a large, protected natural area. This area covers 217 acres (about 88 hectares). It was bought in 1951 by The Trustees of Reservations. This group is a non-profit organization. They work to protect special lands and landmarks for everyone to enjoy. Two long hiking paths, the 22-mile (35-km) Tully Trail and the 110-mile (177-km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, go through this preserve. The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail is even a special National Recreation Trail.
A Look Back: History of Royalston Falls
Royalston Falls has an interesting past. Long ago, in the 1800s, it was known as Forbes Falls. This name came from Calvin Forbes, who owned land nearby.
This area was once a popular spot for local fun. It even had a playground for kids! There was also a building called a casino here. But it was not a gambling casino like today. It was more like a community center for entertainment.
The land for the preserve was a gift. Mr. and Mrs. George L. Foote donated it in 1951 and 1954. More land was added to the preserve in 2002. This helped protect even more of the beautiful natural area.
Fun Things to Do at Royalston Falls
Royalston Falls is a great place to visit and enjoy nature. The preserve is open for many outdoor activities. You can go fishing in the brook. It's also perfect for walking, picnicking, and mountain biking. If you like horses, you can even go horseback riding.
During certain times of the year, hunting is allowed. You can also go cross-country skiing in the winter. Of course, hiking is a very popular activity here. There are two main places to start your adventure. One is off Massachusetts Route 32, close to the New Hampshire border. The other is on Falls Road in Royalston, which is a less maintained road.
Connecting with Nature: Larger Protected Areas
Royalston Falls is part of a much bigger natural area. All these protected lands are connected. They form a continuous stretch of open space. The Tully Trail helps link them all together.
These connected areas include the United States Army Corps of Engineers' Tully Lake project. This project helps control floods. Other protected spots are The Trustees of Reservations' Jacobs Hill and Doane's Falls properties. There is also state forest land in Massachusetts.
Near the Tully Trail, you'll find the Tully Lake Campground. This is a special campsite with 35 spots. It's only for walk-in campers and tents. The Army Corps of Engineers and The Trustees of Reservations manage it together. It's a great place to stay if you want to explore the area more.
