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      Ames 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.
      Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
      Land Status: State Forest
      Land Manager: Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation
      Chestnut Street Parking google parking directions
      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.
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      Region Details
      • 7
      • 11
      • 17
      • 39
      • 25
      • 1

      Region Status
      Open as of May 9, 2023
      Local Trail Association

      Stats

      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

      Photos of Ames Nowell State Park Mountain Bike

      3 |
      May 23, 2023 @ 5:07pm
      May 23, 2023
      8 |
      May 23, 2023 @ 5:05pm
      May 23, 2023
      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
      40 |
      Nov 11, 2020 @ 1:29pm
      Nov 11, 2020
      42 |
      Nov 11, 2020 @ 1:28pm
      Nov 11, 2020
      trail: Rarely Used
      47 |
      Sep 3, 2020 @ 2:27pm
      Sep 3, 2020

      Videos of Ames Nowell State Park Mountain Bike

      trail: Johnny D's
      115 | Jan 17, 2021
      Ames Nowell SP Witch Trail
      4:43 | 201 | Oct 1, 2019

      Recent Trail Reports

      Activity Feed

      usernameactiontypetitledate
      user #1664915FrankRossiwishlistrouteTotal Ames Challenge -
      Jun 2, 2023 @ 10:22am
      Jun 2, 2023
      user #3557432ffHPzQwishlisttrailNot for Everyone
      Jun 1, 2023 @ 10:02pm
      Jun 1, 2023
      user #2105329Trevorm42wishlistregionAmes Nowell State Park
      May 30, 2023 @ 10:31am
      May 30, 2023
      user #2319210jonah281wishlistrouteTotal Ames Challenge -
      May 29, 2023 @ 7:44am
      May 29, 2023
      user #3527488davidAeVzfTwishlistrouteTotal Ames Challenge -
      May 24, 2023 @ 7:35pm
      May 24, 2023

      Recent Comments

      usernametypetitlecommentdate
      user #1181574650bboytrailNot for EveryoneRick ridge feature. Not very long but still a...
      Aug 23, 2022 @ 2:52am
      Aug 23, 2022
      user #2483659MTBAP-05trailRock RollerEpic rock roll with smooth transition!
      Dec 7, 2020 @ 12:53pm
      Dec 7, 2020
      user #2483659MTBAP-05trailWatch This!short technical rocky trail. Very challenging...
      Nov 7, 2020 @ 6:12pm
      Nov 7, 2020
      user #2483659MTBAP-05trailRollersnice rock roll towards the end of this trail!
      Nov 7, 2020 @ 6:11pm
      Nov 7, 2020

      Nearby Areas

      namedistance
      Great Pond 2 42.7 km
      Holbrook & Braintree Town Forests 8 32 73.5 km
      Glen Echo Pond5.2 km
      Cavern Rock Area 16.2 km
      Bird Street Conservation Land 18 7 26.3 km

      Local Badges


      Activity Type Stats

      activitytypetrailsdistancedescentdescent distancetotal verticalratingglobal rankstate rankphotosreportsroutesridelogs
      Mountain Bike10024 miles1,355 ft9 miles131 ft
      #941#4954711032,454
      Hike10124 miles1,355 ft9 miles131 ft
      #677#419110181
      Trail Running10124 miles1,355 ft9 miles131 ft
      #681#41711015
      • By jmdjamis & contributors
      • Admins: Ames Nowell
      • #7222 - 7,789 views
      • ames nowell state park activity log | embed map of Ames Nowell State Park mountain bike trails | ames nowell state park mountain biking points of interest

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