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SaveAmes Nowell is a mountain biker’s Shangri La. Largely technical terrain with hundreds of trails, riders often get turned around and/or just don’t know where to ride. Hopefully Trailforks fixes that problem and brings more riders into the park. There are a few old ATV and doubletracks that can be accessed mostly on the perimeter but the interior is full of challenging singletrack. A good test to see if the park’s trails are for you is to ride the eastern Cleveland Pond Trail. Although this might be considered a black trail at many parks, at Ames it’s only a blue. Take the doubletrack north from the parking lot all the way to the lone bench by the Pond and then return along the edge of the Pond Trail. If you enjoy this type of riding, head into the rest of the park and challenge yourself on the blue and black trails.
There are a variety of maps available for Ames Nowell. The state produces their hiking map and there is a very detailed Open Street Map available as well. SEMass NEMBA also produced an interactive map of Ames at www.wompy.org/ames. This detailed map can be used with most mobile devices and provides your current location as well as a couple suggested routes. Of course, the Trailforks map works well too. Some trail intersections are numbered. East of the pond they are numbered E01 – E07. The entire western area of the pond is numbered W01 – W41.
The park essentially is broken down into three different rideable quadrants. East of the pond as described above having the HQ, a long double track and the blue trail along the pond.
Cross over the bridge at the pond’s dam and you will hit the SW quadrant. This area has the largest selection of connected green and blue trails, mostly along the pond’s edge. At the end of the dam, immediately to the right, is a small technical black trail that is a great introduction to the challenges this park has in hold for the riders. The SW area is split by the powerlines and the entire interior is filled with ledgey, rocky and very challenging terrain. On the far western edge is the Blue Door trail were the SEMass NEMBA chapter built a 100’ long bridge over a water crossing. This is a challenging blue trail and is not one to be missed. There are great connected loops to discover in this area.
The final rideable quadrant is the NW quadrant. The NW and SW areas are divided by a short trail that has three bridges over a swampy area. Cross these bridges going north and you are in the NW quadrant. The NW Quadrant is split by the Chestnut Street Access Road (doubletrack). To the right of the road you will find the NEMBA created classic trails; The Witch Trail and Toby’s Ridge. Both have challenging ledge throughout the trails. The Witch Trail is a loop trail best done clockwise. Toby’s Ridge terminates at the powerlines. It’s best to turn right at the powerlines, ride about 200 yards, then ascend up the rock face to the blue trail that ultimately forms a completed loop. West of the Chestnut Street Access Road (the doubletrack again) are dozens of small techy trails (only a few are shown on Trailforks). This is a area where the rider can work on their serious technical skills. It includes two historic old quarry’s that you’ll probably stumble upon. Hit the southern most blue trail in this area for a fun return to the three bridges. Although this trail is a fairly wide singletrack, there are some great alternate lines on ledges to the right of the trail.
There is a fourth quadrant in the NE corner of the park. Unfortunately, this area has been recently flooded by beavers and contains some private land. This area includes Beaver Creek (aptly named) and often floods on it’s own and is tough to cross. Until the state acquires the land and NEMBA or some other trail advocacy group re-routes the trails and builds a couple bridges, there really isn’t anything to ride in this quadrant.
If you want a quick bite or a brew after your ride, you should try The Brook Kitchen and Tap in Holbrook. Only 5 minutes from the park, they have a great selection of wings and beers on tap and have generously hosted SEMass NEMBA chapter meetings.
There are a variety of maps available for Ames Nowell. The state produces their hiking map and there is a very detailed Open Street Map available as well. SEMass NEMBA also produced an interactive map of Ames at www.wompy.org/ames. This detailed map can be used with most mobile devices and provides your current location as well as a couple suggested routes. Of course, the Trailforks map works well too. Some trail intersections are numbered. East of the pond they are numbered E01 – E07. The entire western area of the pond is numbered W01 – W41.
The park essentially is broken down into three different rideable quadrants. East of the pond as described above having the HQ, a long double track and the blue trail along the pond.
Cross over the bridge at the pond’s dam and you will hit the SW quadrant. This area has the largest selection of connected green and blue trails, mostly along the pond’s edge. At the end of the dam, immediately to the right, is a small technical black trail that is a great introduction to the challenges this park has in hold for the riders. The SW area is split by the powerlines and the entire interior is filled with ledgey, rocky and very challenging terrain. On the far western edge is the Blue Door trail were the SEMass NEMBA chapter built a 100’ long bridge over a water crossing. This is a challenging blue trail and is not one to be missed. There are great connected loops to discover in this area.
The final rideable quadrant is the NW quadrant. The NW and SW areas are divided by a short trail that has three bridges over a swampy area. Cross these bridges going north and you are in the NW quadrant. The NW Quadrant is split by the Chestnut Street Access Road (doubletrack). To the right of the road you will find the NEMBA created classic trails; The Witch Trail and Toby’s Ridge. Both have challenging ledge throughout the trails. The Witch Trail is a loop trail best done clockwise. Toby’s Ridge terminates at the powerlines. It’s best to turn right at the powerlines, ride about 200 yards, then ascend up the rock face to the blue trail that ultimately forms a completed loop. West of the Chestnut Street Access Road (the doubletrack again) are dozens of small techy trails (only a few are shown on Trailforks). This is a area where the rider can work on their serious technical skills. It includes two historic old quarry’s that you’ll probably stumble upon. Hit the southern most blue trail in this area for a fun return to the three bridges. Although this trail is a fairly wide singletrack, there are some great alternate lines on ledges to the right of the trail.
There is a fourth quadrant in the NE corner of the park. Unfortunately, this area has been recently flooded by beavers and contains some private land. This area includes Beaver Creek (aptly named) and often floods on it’s own and is tough to cross. Until the state acquires the land and NEMBA or some other trail advocacy group re-routes the trails and builds a couple bridges, there really isn’t anything to ride in this quadrant.
If you want a quick bite or a brew after your ride, you should try The Brook Kitchen and Tap in Holbrook. Only 5 minutes from the park, they have a great selection of wings and beers on tap and have generously hosted SEMass NEMBA chapter meetings.
Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
Land Status: State Forest
Land Manager: Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation

Access Info:
Riders generally meet at the large parking area behind the HQ at the end of Linwood Street. In winter, riders just park at the few parking spots around the HQ building. Sometimes, small groups will meet at the Chestnut Street parking area.
Disclaimer:
Ames is a day-use park. There is no water and only one port-o-potty at the HQ. There is no hunting at Ames and no ATV's although they do have a bit of an ATV problem. Because of all the ledge, unfortunately unsanctioned trails are being created all the time and trail building in the park is forbidden. With that being said, there are no trails in the park that are hiker or equestrian only.
Links
Activities Click to view
- Mountain Bike
109 trails
- Hike
109 trails
- Trail Running
109 trails
Region Details
- 7
- 11
- 18
- 47
- 25
- 1
Region Status
Open as of May 3, 2025Stats
- Avg Trail Rating
- Trails (view details)
- 109
- Trails Mountain Bike
- 109
- Trails Hike
- 109
- Trails Trail Running
- 109
- Total Distance
- 24 miles
- Total Descent
- 1,354 ft
- Total Vertical
- 131 ft
- Highest Trailhead
- 254 ft
- Reports
- 155
- Photos
- 52
- Ridden Counter
- 12,979
Popular Ames Nowell State Park Mountain Biking Trails
Ames Nowell State Park Mountain Bike Routes
title | rating | distance |
---|---|---|
Total Ames Challenge - | 11 miles | |
Ames South Intermediate | 6 miles | |
C19 Virtual Super8 | 6 miles | |
9 mile Ames Nowell State Park Ride | popular ridelog | 9 miles |
Photos of Ames Nowell State Park Mountain Bike
trail: Needle Brothers
15 |
Apr 4, 2025 @ 5:26pm
Apr 4, 2025
trail: Alternate Ledge
7 |
Mar 14, 2025 @ 2:36pm
Mar 14, 2025
trail: Scarecrow
6 |
Mar 14, 2025 @ 2:36pm
Mar 14, 2025
trail: Scarecrow
6 |
Mar 14, 2025 @ 2:35pm
Mar 14, 2025
trail: Ribbon
56 |
Aug 28, 2023 @ 12:34pm
Aug 28, 2023
trail: Main Access Trail
40 |
May 23, 2023 @ 5:07pm
May 23, 2023
trail: Ledge & Roller
75 |
May 23, 2023 @ 5:05pm
May 23, 2023
trail: Ledge & Roller
66 |
May 23, 2023 @ 5:05pm
May 23, 2023Videos of Ames Nowell State Park Mountain Bike

trail: Johnny D's
0:50 |
177 |
Jan 17, 2021

trail: Witch Trail
4:43 |
232 |
Oct 1, 2019

trail: Not for Everyone
11:14 |
89 |
May 10, 2024 , Abington
Recent Trail Reports
status | trail | date | condition | info | user |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ledge & Roller | May 3, 2025 @ 9:57am May 3, 2025 | Ideal | Gushue3 BRAINTREE | ||
From Cleveland St To Cleveland Pond | May 3, 2025 @ 9:57am May 3, 2025 | Ideal | Gushue3 BRAINTREE | ||
Bridge Connector | Sep 14, 2024 @ 9:30am Sep 14, 2024 | Ideal | mappermook TRAILFORKS | ||
Rocky Ledge Trail | Sep 14, 2024 @ 9:30am Sep 14, 2024 | Ideal | mappermook TRAILFORKS | ||
Ribbon | Sep 14, 2024 @ 9:30am Sep 14, 2024 | Ideal | mappermook TRAILFORKS | ||
Three Bridges | Sep 14, 2024 @ 9:30am Sep 14, 2024 | Ideal | mappermook TRAILFORKS | ||
Link 2 | Sep 14, 2024 @ 9:30am Sep 14, 2024 | Ideal | mappermook TRAILFORKS | ||
Cleveland Pond trail | Sep 14, 2024 @ 9:30am Sep 14, 2024 | Ideal | mappermook TRAILFORKS | ||
Parking Lot Out | Sep 14, 2024 @ 9:30am Sep 14, 2024 | Dry | mappermook TRAILFORKS | ||
Parking Lot In | Mar 25, 2024 @ 12:00pm Mar 25, 2024 | Wet | squidlyman |
Activity Feed
username | action | type | title | date |
---|---|---|---|---|
teakwins | vote | trail | activity #73363395 | Jun 8, 2025 @ 11:07am Jun 8, 2025 |
WilliamP8wel | comment | trail | activity #73294372 | Jun 7, 2025 @ 1:40pm Jun 7, 2025 |
sebby2k | wishlist | route | activity #72799674 | May 31, 2025 @ 12:07pm May 31, 2025 |
Jpitman | wishlist | route | activity #72079124 | May 20, 2025 @ 7:08pm May 20, 2025 |
Jpitman | wishlist | route | activity #72032814 | May 20, 2025 @ 5:50am May 20, 2025 |
Recent Comments
username | type | title | comment | date |
---|---|---|---|---|
trail | South shore black. Fun stuff here but the only... | Jun 7, 2025 @ 1:40pm Jun 7, 2025 | ||
trail | Fantastic rock spines! | Oct 12, 2024 @ 10:18am Oct 12, 2024 | ||
trail | I second this^ Don't try this trail lol its... | May 9, 2024 @ 10:20am May 9, 2024 | ||
trail | Totally flooded out please avoid | Mar 22, 2024 @ 7:48pm Mar 22, 2024 | ||
report | Totally flooded out. Avoid | Mar 22, 2024 @ 7:47pm Mar 22, 2024 |
Nearby Areas
name | distance | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Great Pond | 3 | 4 | 2.7 km | ||
Union Point/NAS | 7 | 3.1 km | |||
Holbrook & Braintree Town Forests | 29 | 49 | 12 | 3.5 km | |
Bradford Torrey Weymouth | 7 | 3 | 2 | 4.6 km | |
Glen Echo Pond | 5.2 km |
Local Badges
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Completionist2 awarded
Activity Type Stats
activitytype | trails | distance | descent | descent distance | total vertical | rating | global rank | state rank | photos | reports | routes | ridelogs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mountain Bike | 109 | 24 miles | 1,355 ft | 9 miles | 131 ft | #944 | #506 | 52 | 155 | 3 | 3,535 | |
Hike | 109 | 24 miles | 1,355 ft | 9 miles | 131 ft | #684 | #433 | 155 | 249 | |||
Trail Running | 109 | 24 miles | 1,355 ft | 9 miles | 131 ft | #688 | #429 | 155 | 58 |
- By jmdjamis & contributors
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