Wrentham State Forest Mountain Biking Trails

Know this up front: Wrentham State Forest is absolutely NOT suitable for beginner mountain bikers, and intermediates may also struggle in most areas except the Red Fox Trail and some of the trails south of George Street.

There is the main Wrentham State Forest parking lot on Taunton Street and the massive Sweatt Fields parking lot in the adjacent Knuckup
Hill riding area is massive, which can accommodate dozens of vehicles. During moto season, the main WSF lot can fill to capacity, especially on the weekends. There are also smaller parking areas at the Wrentham Senior Center and the Wrentham Building Inspector's Office.

Wrentham State Forest in Southeastern Massachusetts is laced with an almost uncountable number of singletracks, jeep trails, and a few slightly maintained forest service roads. Wrentham does not have a campground, lake, river or even a headquarters building. Just 1,064 acres of well-drained, lightly hilled woodland trails. The forest is the center of most of the areas hunting activity. One special feature unique to Wrentham is a dual-tunnel trail under Route 495. But more on that later. Wrentham State Forest is actually a part of the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest, which has three sections that are located in the towns of Foxboro, Wrentham and Franklin.

This once-great riding area for MTB is now a heavily-used moto riding mecca. Many of the trails which were fun for MTBs have been so heavily eroded, that they are now more enjoyable for dirt bikes. There are still many great trails in Wrentham amidst all of the clapped-out stuff, however, and you'll be able to get the most out of them if you are with some one who has experience with the area. If you have not ridden WSF yet, it is best to have some one with you who has ... otherwise, you might be in for a miserable day filled with large loose rocks, sandy conditions, and various debris scattered over terrain that would be challenging even in perfect condition. If you absolutely must ride WSF without a guide, then strongly consider following one of the posted routes.

The DCR's Wrentham State Forest handout map does not come close to showing all of the existing trails that are in use. This means that you will have a great time getting yourself lost and found while you explore. Just remember the forest is bisected by Route 495 which runs from East to West and by Taunton Street which runs from North to South. Any paved road that you come upon other than Taunton Street, Beach Street, George Street, or the Building Inspector Access Road is outside of the forest.

There is another section of the forest just South of Route 495.The easiest way to get there is to head South on Taunton Street until you cross over Route 495. Then take your next right on George Street and follow any of the trails leading off George Street on your right or your left. A good rule of thumb is that most of the trails north of George Street in this section are miserable and moto-destroyed, while most of the trails south of George Street are fun and enjoyable ... and also lead to the "hidden gem" Plainville Conservation riding area.

Now for the surprise. Remember that drainage culvert you noticed along your way West? It leads under route 495 and connects to the trails in the Southern portion of the forest. Try it Although the inside of the pipe is a little slippery, it is ridable. And it's a kick being under the traffic for a change. Depending on the time of year and recent precipitation, you will have to ride through a couple of shallow ponds, and running water in the 2 culverts. The north-side culvert is also loaded with small rocks. The culverts run slightly downhill, from north to south.

Continuing on, the jeep trails on the South side of the forest lead to a vast array of motorcycle, jeep and ATV trails that run through Plainfield, Attleborough, North Attleborough and even into Rhode Island. Bring along a local town road map to help you find a quick way back to your start. Eventually, the trails lead into Plainville Conservation Land, where motos are not permitted. The Plainville Conservation area has miles and miles of enjoyable blue terrain, and it's a lot more fun to ride, on average, than Wrentham.

Riding in Wretham will test your limits. The technical riding seems to go on forever, and in fact much farther than you will. Oftentimes, it is not fun. However, expert riders who really want to see what they are made of in a uniquely challenging & huge riding area will have many miles to test their merits in Wrentham. If you fit into that category, why not find out for yourself?