J. A. Skinner State Park

J. A. Skinner State Park is a protected area on the western edge of Mount Holyoke Range, covering 400 acres with forested slopes rising to a summit overlooking Connecticut River Valley. The park connects dense woodland with open heights where an old building sits atop the mountain.

Joseph Allen Skinner, a local industrialist, donated the Summit House and surrounding land to Massachusetts in 1940 to establish the park. The building itself was constructed in 1851 as a mountain hotel before becoming part of the protected area.

The Summit House inspired Thomas Cole's renowned 1836 painting of the Connecticut River Oxbow, now displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This spot has drawn artists and shaped how visitors see this landscape ever since.

The park is accessible year-round via hiking trails, while the auto road opens from May through mid-October for direct summit access. Trail conditions vary by season, so plan accordingly for your visit.

The Summit House opened in 1851 as a commercial mountain hotel and has drawn visitors seeking views ever since. The building has been restored and now operates seasonally as a museum showing its historical past.

Location: Massachusetts

Location: Hampshire County

Inception: 1940

Website: https://mass.gov/locations/skinner-state-park

GPS coordinates: 42.30444,-72.58833

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41