C. M. Gardner State Park in Massachusetts, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-01. Check linked official notices before travel.

C.M. Gardner State Park in Huntington, Massachusetts, is a place for a wooded picnic or walk beside the East Branch of the Westfield River. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation manages the park. Plan a visit on land: swimming in the river is prohibited.

A wooded river stop

The park combines the Berkshire foothills setting with a picnic area along the riverbank. It fits a break on Route 112 or a modest walking outing. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission describes two miles of unpaved hiking trails, rated easy in its regional guide.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

River safety

Swimming is prohibited, even beside the picnic area. Keep the river view and the walk as the focus of this outing. A riverbank picnic does not provide a designated swimming area.

Visit responsibly

Alcohol and littering are prohibited. Keep the wooded picnic setting clean and use the designated trails and entrance parking for your visit.

Location and road access

The official location is Route 112 North, Huntington, MA 01050. The Pioneer Valley trail guide places the entrance 2.3 miles north of Huntington town center and identifies parking at the park entrance. Use that river corridor approach rather than navigating to the city of Gardner elsewhere in Massachusetts.

Nearby parks

Chester-Blandford State Forest is another local walking option at 800 US 20, Chester. Parking areas include Boulder Park and Sanderson Brook Falls, where swimming is prohibited. Chesterfield Gorge is reached from Huntington by Route 112 north to South Worthington, then Ireland Street and River Road. Its parking lot is not plowed in winter, and access into the river through the gorge is prohibited.

Things to do

Bring a picnic and add a walk on the unpaved trails. The regional guide’s easy rating makes this a more modest option than planning a long mountain hike, but the natural trail surface still matters for footwear and mobility. Allow time to enjoy the river from the bank without entering it.

Facilities and accessibility

The park provides a picnic area and restrooms. A canoe launch is also listed among its facilities. This guide focuses on walking and picnicking, so a paddling trip needs its own river-condition and equipment plan. Ask DCR about the specific surface and restroom arrangements needed for an accessible visit.

About the park

The East Branch of the Westfield River and the Route 112 Scenic Byway define the setting. C.M. Gardner offers a wooded stop along that corridor rather than the facilities of a large overnight recreation complex.

Wooded river habitat

The riverbank picnic area lies under woodland in the Berkshire foothills. Enjoy the setting from the trails and picnic area, without relying on a promised wildlife sighting.

Contact

Official C.M. Gardner State Park page. Location: Route 112 North, Huntington, MA 01050. DCR’s nearby Chester-Blandford State Forest page provides another verified walking destination for a longer local outing.