About Copicut Woods
A gateway to the 13,600-acre Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, Copicut Woods boasts upland forests, wetlands and waterways, and remnants of a vibrant agricultural past.
What makes Copicut Woods a special place?
This 516-acre property is both a prime destination and the southern gateway to the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve. Copicut introduces nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to an entire regional ecosystem. Experience forests, streams, and cedar swamps, amid an array of flora and fauna, from deer and coyote darting among stands of hardwoods and conifers, to hawks, owls, and salamanders.
As you walk the three miles of trails at Copicut, you'll wind through a variety of natural communities and pass vernal pools, Miller Brook, and an abandoned farm settlement. You’ll be delighted by the nearly mile-long Miller Lane, a 150-year-old scenic cart path lined on either side by stone walls under a canopy of trees. Pack a lunch and enjoy a secluded picnic in a traditional timber frame “Ed Shed” before exploring further reaches of Copicut along the new Meadowhawk and Soggy Bottom Trails.
Mountain bikers will find plenty of options, too. And, when the snow flies, the relatively flat terrain and broad trails are ideal for cross-country skiing enthusiasts and snowshoers.
Copicut’s 516 acres are an integral part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, one of the largest unfragmented forests in eastern Massachusetts.
Trails
5.4 miles of trails (includes Miller Brook Conservation Area). Easy walking.
When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour.
Facilities
A traditional timber frame educational shelter, the “Ed Shed,” offers a secluded place to picnic.
Regulations & Advisories
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Hunting is allowed west of Yellow Hill Road in season. Hunting is also permitted on adjacent Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Land.
- Motor bikes are not permitted at Copicut Woods.
Directions
Indian Town Rd.
Fall River, MA 02790
Telephone: 508.636.4693
E-mail: bioreserve@ttor.org
Latitude: 41.7089
Longitude: -71.0650
Get directions on Google Maps.
From Points North and West: I-195 to
Exit 9 (Sanford Rd.) and turn left. Road bears
right and becomes Old Bedford Rd. Next,
take left onto Blossom Rd.; follow 1.3 miles.
Bear right onto Indian Town Rd.; follow for
1.7 miles to parking area (12 cars) on left;
roadside parking also available.
From Points East: I-195 to Exit 10, Rt. 88
South. Take first exit for Rt. 6 West. At first
traffic light, turn right onto Sanford Rd. Follow
under highway; continue as described above.
Admission
When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour.
Admission
FREE to all.
Property History
Property Acquisition History
Purchased from the Richard G. Hawes family, owners of Acushnet Saw Mills, in 2002 as part of a 3,800-acre Bioreserve acquisition involving state and municipal partners. Endowment was provided by generous gift of Cynthia Hawes Ritter, Mary Ellen Hawes Lees, and Peter J. Hawes.
Programs
Salamander Soiree
Late March or early April, exact date TBD based on weather conditions
7:30–9PM
Freetown/Fall River State Forest Headquarters
Slab Bridge Road, Assonet
At first glance, vernal pools might not look like much, but for a few nights each spring these big puddles are boiling with the mating frenzy of frogs and salamanders. On the first, warm, rainy night of the year spotted salamanders and frogs emerge from their underground wintering spots and make their way en masse to nearby vernal pools to mate and lay their eggs. Join us on a spontaneous walk to catch a glimpse of these secretive amphibians. Date dependent on weather conditions – please pre-register for a phone call notice before this amazing event takes place. Please call 508 636-4693 ext. 103 or email Bioreserve@ttor.org to pre-register and be notified for the walk.
Members & Nonmembers: FREE
Free guided programs are offered year-round. For listings, visit our Events Calendar, or contact Bioreserve Outreach and Education Coordinator Linton Harrington at lharrington@ttor.org.
The Bioreserve Youth Corps offers after-school and summer employment for high school students interested in outdoor environmental work. Applications are currently being accepted. For more information about the Youth Corps program click here.
Conservation and Stewardship
Copicut’s 516 acres are an integral part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, one of the largest unfragmented forests in eastern Massachusetts. Wildlife sensitive to human disturbance find refuge in Copicut’s extensive forests including red-shouldered hawk, Canada warbler, spotted turtle, and, more recently, fisher, a large member of the weasel family. More common wildlife species such as white-tailed deer, coyote, and chipmunks also reside here. In early spring, vernal pools at Copicut explode with life and provide critical breeding sites for many frogs and salamanders, including some that are rare. Atlantic white cedar occurs in remnant stands on the property, offering future restoration opportunities for this once common forest community.
Established in 2002, the Bioreserve, at 13,600 acres, is one of the largest protected tracts in the state and is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth. It comprises the Freetown–Fall River State Forest, City of Fall River watershed lands, and almost 4,000 acres formerly owned by the Acushnet Sawmill Company and located within Freetown, Fall River, and Dartmouth. The private lands were acquired by The Trustees, along with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, in concert with the City of Fall River.
Management Planning for Our Properties
Since 1891, The Trustees of Reservations have worked to protect special places in Massachusetts and maintain them to the highest standards. To ensure these standards are met, a program of careful planning and sound management is essential. Comprehensive property management plans are created for each reservation and are completely updated approximately every ten years. We often work with volunteers, property users, and members of the community to carry out this planning, which typically involves several steps:
- Describing in detail the site’s natural, scenic, and historical resources; identifying management issues related to the protection of those resources.
- Describing how visitors use the property; outlining the opportunities that the property provides for people to become involved in the work of conservation and caring for their community.
- Developing a detailed list of management recommendations, a work plan, and a description of financial needs for implementing the actions.
- Developing a prescribed routine management program for the reservation that will guide staff work plans, volunteer involvement, and the allocation of human and financial resources.
Maps and Resources
Trail maps are distributed free from bulletin board in parking area. Please understand that supplies periodically run out. We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.
Planning Your Visit
Community Links
City of Fall River
Fall River Area Chambe of Commerce
Before You Go
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.
Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:
- Protect wildlife and plants.
- Guard against all risk of fire.
- Help keep air and water clean.
- Carry out what you carry in.
- Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
- Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
- Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
- Enjoy and share the landscape with others.
Click on links below for further visitor information:
Before Setting Out
Tell Us What You Think
We’d love to hear about your visit! Here are three easy ways to let us know what you think:
-
Take our visitor survey. If you have a question for us, you can ask us in the survey and we’ll get back to you.
- Post a comment about your visit on our Facebook page.
- Share your experiences with other visitors on our website. Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll post your comment right here on this page.
Announcements & Alerts
Help us get 500 new members during our Membership Month! Join Today >>
Advisory: Authorized bow hunting is allowed on portions of this reservation. See Regulations and Advisories at left for more information.
Upcoming Things To Do
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Submitted by The Trustees on: June 16, 2011
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