Doane’s Falls on Lawrence Brook grabs your attention by tumbling from under a picturesque stone bridge in a frothy frenzy to Tully Lake.

The reservation is named for Amos Doane who, in the early 19th century, owned land in Royalston. He built a mill—50 feet long and more than four stories tall—above the falls to manufacture doors, sashes, and blinds. Though Doane’s venture eventually failed, a series of previous mills—grist, saw, pail, and fulling—had successfully operated on the falls.

The riverbank is an extremely sensitive ecosystem. Please stay on marked trails and avoid trampling plants and soil on the riverbank.

Swimming, Diving, and Wading Ban
Swimming, diving, and wading at Doane’s Falls have led to fatalities and serious injuries over the years.

To balance the fullest and safest use of our properties, we generally rely on a range of measures, from the display of informational and cautionary signs to the placement of physical barriers to prevent access to certain areas. However, for your protection, The Trustees now prohibits these inherently risky activities at this property.

A half-mile trail leads down the west side of the stream, offering great vantage points as Lawrence Brook drops and swirls, its water continually rushing over and along mid-stream boulders, flat granite slabs, and small islands.

Just upstream awaits Coddings Meadow, a quiet clearing amid surrounding woodlands with fine views of the brook in its quiet-water state. Be sure to bring your paddle: the meadow serves as an easy launch site for canoeists and kayakers looking to explore the upper stretches of the intimate river, encountering occasional beaver dam as the water winds through a red maple swamp.

The Trustees manages the Tully Lake Campground on Doane Hill Road, just west of Doane’s Falls.

FREE to all, Open sunrise to sunset.

Athol Road
Royalston, MA 01368

Tully Lake Campground:  978.249.4957 (seasonal)
Email: info@thetrustees.org

Get directions on Google Maps.

From Rt. 2, Exit 77, follow Rt. 2A West into Athol. At intersection with Rt. 32, cross Miller’s River Bridge and bear right onto Chestnut Hill Rd. (becomes Athol Rd.) north toward Royalston. Proceed 4 mi. to entrance and parking (3 cars) on left. To Coddings Meadow at Lawrence Brook, walk 0.5 mi. down gated woods road off Athol Rd. on right just before stone bridge.

Trails
A half-mile trail leads down one side of the stream. Moderate walking, strenuous in places. A three-quarter-mile woods road leads to the 14-acre Coddings Meadow along side of Lawrence Brook. Doane’s Falls is a link in the Tully Trail.

Accessible Features

Accessible trail is approximately .15 mile trail starting at the lower parking lot on Doane Hill Road to the lower falls section.

You can download a Doane’s Falls trail map before you head out. You can also download a map of the 22-mile Tully Trail.

Swimming, Diving, and Wading Ban
Swimming, diving, and wading at Doane’s Falls have led to fatalities and serious injuries over the years. While beautiful, the depth of the pools at Doane’s Falls is not safe for jumping or swimming. We do not allow swimming at this site.

To balance the fullest and safest use of our properties, we generally rely on a range of measures, from the display of informational and cautionary signs to the placement of physical barriers to prevent access to certain areas. However, for your protection, The Trustees now prohibits these inherently risky activities at this property.

Hunting Advisory

Hunting is permitted on the Coddings Meadow parcel associated with this property subject to all state and town laws. It is recommended to wear brightly colored clothing like an orange vest or hat during the hunting season. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties, and read safety tips for non-hunters.

Other Regulations

• Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
• The riverbank is an extremely sensitive ecosystem. Please stay on marked trails and avoid trampling plants and soil on the riverbank.
• Please practice ‘leave no trace’ principles when visiting this Trustees property and plan to bring any trash home with you.
• PHOTOGRAPHY: We ask that photographers or their clients become Supporting Level Members before conducting portrait sessions at this property. Click here for more information, and to request permission for any portrait sessions. The Trustees of Reservations reserves the right, and may give permission to its designated photographers and videographers, or to outside media, to photograph or video visitors and program participants at all its facilities and properties.