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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
- Ames Nowell State Park Website
- Official DCR Map
- SEMass NEMBA Interactive Mobile Map
- SEMass OpenStreetMap
- 84 Lumber
- The Brook Kitchen and Tap
Region Supporters & Maintainers
84 LumberSponsor
Southeast Massachusetts NEMBASponsor
Bikebarn RacingSponsor
Activities Click to view
- Mountain Bike
100 trails
- Hike
101 trails
- Trail Running
101 trails
Region Details
- 7
- 11
- 17
- 39
- 25
- 1
Region Status
Open as of May 9, 2023Stats
- Avg Trail Rating
- Trails (view details)
- 100
- Trails Mountain Bike
- 101
- Trails Hike
- 101
- Trails Trail Running
- 101
- Total Distance
- 24 miles
- Total Descent
- 1,354 ft
- Total Vertical
- 131 ft
- Highest Trailhead
- 254 ft
- Reports
- 109
- Photos
- 47
- Ridden Counter
- 10,128
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 | |
7 mile Ames Nowell State Park Ride | popular ridelog | 7 miles |
3 mile Ames Nowell State Park Ride | popular ridelog | 3 miles |
8 mile Ames Nowell State Park Ride | popular ridelog | 8 miles |
Photos of Ames Nowell State Park Mountain Bike
trail: Main Access Trail
3 |
May 23, 2023 @ 5:07pm
May 23, 2023
trail: Ledge & Roller
8 |
May 23, 2023 @ 5:05pm
May 23, 2023
trail: Ledge & Roller
4 |
May 23, 2023 @ 5:05pm
May 23, 2023
trail: Maggie's Way
61 |
Apr 11, 2021 @ 7:28pm
Apr 11, 2021
trail: Three Bridges
61 |
Nov 11, 2020 @ 1:32pm
Nov 11, 2020
trail: Murder She Rode
40 |
Nov 11, 2020 @ 1:29pm
Nov 11, 2020
trail: Murder She Rode
42 |
Nov 11, 2020 @ 1:28pm
Nov 11, 2020
trail: Rarely Used
47 |
Sep 3, 2020 @ 2:27pm
Sep 3, 2020Videos of Ames Nowell State Park Mountain Bike

trail: Johnny D's
115 |
Jan 17, 2021

trail: Witch Trail
4:43 |
201 |
Oct 1, 2019
Recent Trail Reports
status | trail | date | condition | info | user |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Toby's Ridge | May 9, 2023 @ 3:03pm May 9, 2023 | Variable | Wongburger | ||
Beaver Trail | Jun 6, 2022 @ 9:11pm Jun 6, 2022 | Prevalent Mud | wongburger2 | ||
Parking Lot Out | Apr 10, 2022 @ 10:32am Apr 10, 2022 | Ideal | bcborder | ||
Along the Powerlines | Apr 10, 2022 @ 10:32am Apr 10, 2022 | Wet | bcborder | ||
Loop Around the Ledge | Apr 10, 2022 @ 10:32am Apr 10, 2022 | Ideal | bcborder | ||
Double Track Back | Apr 10, 2022 @ 10:32am Apr 10, 2022 | Ideal | bcborder | ||
Extra Credit | Apr 10, 2022 @ 10:32am Apr 10, 2022 | Ideal | bcborder | ||
Alternate to Rock Garden | Apr 10, 2022 @ 10:32am Apr 10, 2022 | Ideal | bcborder | ||
Ledge Ext to Powerlines | Oct 3, 2021 @ 9:01am Oct 3, 2021 | Ideal | bcborder | ||
Link 3 | Oct 3, 2021 @ 9:01am Oct 3, 2021 | Ideal | bcborder |
Activity Feed
username | action | type | title | date | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | FrankRossi | wishlist | route | Total Ames Challenge - | Jun 2, 2023 @ 10:22am Jun 2, 2023 |
![]() | ffHPzQ | wishlist | trail | Not for Everyone | Jun 1, 2023 @ 10:02pm Jun 1, 2023 |
![]() | Trevorm42 | wishlist | region | Ames Nowell State Park | May 30, 2023 @ 10:31am May 30, 2023 |
![]() | jonah281 | wishlist | route | Total Ames Challenge - | May 29, 2023 @ 7:44am May 29, 2023 |
![]() | davidAeVzfT | wishlist | route | Total Ames Challenge - | May 24, 2023 @ 7:35pm May 24, 2023 |
Recent Comments
username | type | title | comment | date | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | trail | Rick ridge feature. Not very long but still a... | Aug 23, 2022 @ 2:52am Aug 23, 2022 | ||
![]() | trail | Epic rock roll with smooth transition! | Dec 7, 2020 @ 12:53pm Dec 7, 2020 | ||
![]() | trail | short technical rocky trail. Very challenging... | Nov 7, 2020 @ 6:12pm Nov 7, 2020 | ||
![]() | trail | nice rock roll towards the end of this trail! | Nov 7, 2020 @ 6:11pm Nov 7, 2020 |
Nearby Areas
name | distance | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Great Pond | 2 | 4 | 2.7 km | ||
Holbrook & Braintree Town Forests | 8 | 32 | 7 | 3.5 km | |
Glen Echo Pond | 5.2 km | ||||
Cavern Rock Area | 1 | 6.2 km | |||
Bird Street Conservation Land | 18 | 7 | 2 | 6.3 km |
Local Badges
-
Completionist2 awarded
Activity Type Stats
activitytype | trails | distance | descent | descent distance | total vertical | rating | global rank | state rank | photos | reports | routes | ridelogs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mountain Bike | 100 | 24 miles | 1,355 ft | 9 miles | 131 ft | #941 | #495 | 47 | 110 | 3 | 2,454 | |
Hike | 101 | 24 miles | 1,355 ft | 9 miles | 131 ft | #677 | #419 | 110 | 181 | |||
Trail Running | 101 | 24 miles | 1,355 ft | 9 miles | 131 ft | #681 | #417 | 110 | 15 |
- By jmdjamis & contributors
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