Franklin State Forest Mountain Biking Trails

This riding area is truly a tale of two sections. The smaller section, adjacent to the new Grove Street parking lot, prohibits motorized vehicles and has traditional-riding MTB singletrack on the side of a medium grade hill. The much larger section has been completely shaped and influenced by motorized vehicles, providing many unorthodox challenges for the mountain biker. The powerline signifies the boundary between the two sections.

The Franklin State Forest is one of three DCR land holdings that make up the F Gilbert Hills State Forest. The southern boundary now abuts the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. The SNETT is a national multi use recreation trail that runs from Franklin MA to Willimantic CT and beyond. The 85 mile rail trail is open to bicycles and other trail users.

The best place to start is the new Grove Street parking lot. Moto riding is prohibited on that end of the riding area, and it's a good place to warm up with some traditional New England MTB singletrack. Once you cross the powerline at the top of the riding area, you enter the much larger section of the riding area that allows motorized vehicles, and you can immediately tell that this is the case.

Unlike nearby Wrentham State Forest, moto use in Franklin State Forest has helped more than it has hurt. Avoid the two fire roads on the moto side of the map, staying off of "Spring Street Extension" as much as you can. The trails are so loaded with features and challenges, and the "moto" part of the riding area is on such a gradual hill (for the most part), that you'll easily forget where you area, and whether you are moving uphill or downhill (seriously). The miles can really add up in here. The major negative from the moto use are the deep ruts present on some of the trails - due to these ruts, this area can be unenjoyable to ride during very wet weather patterns (they fill up with deep water).

There are two prominent loops in this riding area where motos are permitted. Some of the sections of both loops are terribly eroded & loose, so please use caution in those areas.

Franklin State Forest is only about 1/2 mile from Rt. 495 and in the middle of a Boston-Providence-Worcester triangle. Early Spring will find Franklin's singletracks quite muddy. But the trails are fine for riding by the middle of May.

If you love craft beer, 67 Degrees Brewery is located very close to the bottom of the Brewery Link trail. Please check their website for operating hours. If they are open, this small brewery is very well worth a visit.