J.A. Skinner State Park is home to more than 400 acres of forest on Mt. Holyoke, as well as the historic Mt. Holyoke Summit House. The park is located at the western end of the Holyoke Range, abutting the majestic Connecticut River. The park offers multiple hiking trails and breathtaking views of the Connecticut River Valley from multiple vistas. The summit of Mt. Holyoke is accessible by walking the road or hiking along the trails year-round.
There are 20 picnic sites on the grounds, many with fine views and charcoal grills. Restrooms are available May through mid-October. Hawk watching is popular in spring and fall. Paths from the Summit House connect with marked trails that traverse the Holyoke Range. Fall foliage viewing is popular in the park, and the masses of flowering mountain laurel present a lovely spectacle in June.
The park is named after Joseph Allen Skinner, a wealthy businessman who donated the hotel and land to the state in 1940.
