Mount Greylock Drive to the Summit

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Looking for a scenic drive to do with your family? Take a trip to Mount Greylock State Reservation and make the drive up the summit of the tallest mountain in Massachusetts!

Views from the top of Mount Greylock.

About Mount Greylock

Mount Greylock, located in the northwestern corner of Massachusetts, is the tallest peak in the state. The mountain itself is 3,489 feet tall.

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Another interesting thing about this mountain is that a section of the Appalachian Trail is on the mountain! This section is 12 miles long.

appalachian trail sign.

If you’re looking to learn more about Mount Greylock and Mount Greylock State Reservation, be sure to stop into the Visitor Center! You’ll find environmental displays, pamphlets, maps, and more to help you on your visit!

driving Up To The Summit

The drive to the summit is short, but fairly steep with some hair pin turns. There are two different ways you can drive up the mountain. You can either take Rockwell Road if you come in by the Visitor Center or Notch Road if you’re coming from the north side of the mountain.

Whether you’re taking Rockwell Road or Notch Road, you’ll eventually take a turn on to Summit Road. This will take you to the top where you’ll get some breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

The road up is paved and wide enough for two cars. There are some tight hairpin turns on the road, but there are very few compared to some other mountain roads.

The drive up takes about 20 minutes. If you take Notch Road, there are various pull-offs that make for great picture spots. If you’re coming from Rockwell Road, you’ll drive by various small lots where you can pull off to hike.

overlook on notch road.
Views from one of the pull-offs on Notch Road.

At The Mount Greylock Summit

There is plenty to do and see at the top of the summit! You can expect stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges, history, and great food. You are sure to have a great time while on the highest point in Massachusetts!

The Veterans War Memorial Tower

Be sure to check out the Veterans War Memorial Tower at the top of the summit! This beautiful memorial stands at 92 feet tall. The granite building is quite the site to see. It even has a light beacon on the top!

veterans war memorial on top of mount greylock.

Perhaps the best part about this tower is the fact that you can actually go inside! When you walk in, you’ll enter a memorial on the bottom to veterans. It’s really quite stunning and a nice tribute to those who have lost their lives in war.

While inside, you can also climb up the spiral staircase to the top of the tower. When you get to the top of the tower, you’ll be rewarded with some breathtaking views. You get a 360-degree view of New England and eastern New York State. You can see 60 to 90 miles away!

spiral staircase.

There are signs that indicate what you’re looking at from the top of the tower. Looking west, you’ll see the Hudson River Valley, the Taconic Range, Albany NY, and Berlin Mountain.

views to the west from the tower.

If you look to the east, you’ll see Mount Monadnock, Mount Wachusett, the town of Adams, and the Hoosic River Valley.

views looking east from the memorial tower.

Looking north, you’ll see the Adirondacks of New York, Williamstown, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and North Adams.

views of the mountains to the north from the memorial tower.

To the south, you’ll see Cheshire, the Berkshires, Onota Lake, Pittsfield, and the Catskill Mountains of New York.

southern views from the memorial tower.

Bascom Lodge

At the top of the mountain, you’ll also find a stunning lodge! The Bascom Lodge was built using local stone and wood from the mountain. The lodge is named after John Bascom, who was the first commissioner of Mount Greylock State Reservation.

bascom lodge at mt greylock summit.

The inside of the lodge is just as beautiful as the outside. There is a nice common area with a beautiful fireplace to hangout. By this common area, you’ll find the gift shop. Just past this area, you’ll find the bathrooms.

inside bascom lodge.

There is also a restaurant inside the lodge. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also have ice cream available for purchase, which is what we got while we were on the top of the mountain!

mount bascom lodge.

In addition to the restaurant and common area, the lodge also has rooms you can stay in! They offer a mix of both group bunk bed rooms and private rooms. The lodge can accommodate 34 guests in a diversity of rooming arrangements.

Reasons To Visit Mount Greylock

Be sure to visit the highest point in Massachusetts at Mount Greylock State Reservation for an unforgettable experience. From beautiful views, a memorial, and a restaurant, the summit is a must visit in western Massachusetts!

Know Before You Go

Below we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Mount Greylock State Reservation!

Can I drive to the top of Mt Greylock?

Yes! The Mount Greylock Scenic Byway will take you to the summit. Take Notch Road to Summit Road to get to the top of the mountain!

How long is the drive up Mount Greylock?

The drive to the summit is about an 8 mile drive from the Visitor Center on Rockwell Road. If you’re going up Notch Road, it’s about 7 miles. The drive time will be about 20 minutes for each way. It might seem like a long time to travel such a short distance, but remember it’s a steep mountain road with some hairpin turns!

When is the Mount Greylock Scenic Byway open?

The section of the byway that takes you to the summit of Mount Greylock is open from mid-May to the end of October.

What time does the Mount Greylock Visitor Center open?

The Visitor Center is open 9am to 5pm daily from mid-May to mid-October. From mid-October to mid-May, the Visitor Center is open 9am to 4pm daily.

When is the Bascom Lodge open?

The lodge is open from late May to late October. The hours for the public are 9am to 5pm. Be sure to check their website to see specific dates as it changes each year!

Related

  • Looking to drive up another mountain? About an hour north of Mount Greylock, you can drive up to the summit of Mount Equinox in Vermont! The Mount Equionx Skyline Drive takes you to the highest point in the Taconic Range!
  • Another mountain to check out in Vermont is Mount Philo! At Mount Philo State Park, you can also drive to the summit for a picnic and to enjoy the views!

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