| elevation = {{convert|1457|ft|m|abbr=on}}[1]
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| established = 1925
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| governing_body = Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
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| website = {{URL|http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-west/tolland-state-forest-generic.html|Tolland State Forest}}
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}}Tolland State Forest is a publicly owned forest with recreational features covering {{convert|4415|acre}} in the towns of Otis, Tolland, Blandford and Sandisfield in the southern Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.[4] The state forest centers on the {{convert|1065|acre|adj=on}} Otis Reservoir, the largest body of water for recreational use in western Massachusetts.[5] The forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
History
The state forest was created with the state's purchase of cut-over lumber lands in 1925. A Civilian Conservation Corps camp opened here in 1933. The Corps created the day-use and camping areas on the peninsula that extends into Otis Reservoir.[6] In 1966, the state expanded the forest through the purchase of the reservoir and surrounding lands.[5]
Activities and amenities
Forest trails are available for hiking, mountain biking, off-road vehicles, and cross-country skiing. The campground includes sites for tents and RVs. The day-use area offers swimming, picnicking, and a boat ramp. The reservoir is stocked in spring and fall with trout by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.[8] The forest also offers educational programs and restricted hunting.[4]
References
1. ^1 {{cite gnis|619253|Tolland State Forest}}
2. ^1 2 {{cite web |url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-west/tolland-state-forest-generic.html |title=Tolland State Forest |work=MassParks |publisher=Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs |accessdate=March 14, 2017}}
3. ^1 {{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/civilianconserva00berg#page/n111/mode/2up |title=The Civilian Conservation Corps: A Statewide Survey of Civilian Conservation Corps Resources |publisher=Prepared by Shary Page Berg (Beth McKinney, ed.) for the Massachusetts Office of Historic Resources |pages=100–101 |date=January 1999 |accessdate=March 14, 2017}}
4. ^1 2 {{cite web|url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dcr/parks/trails/gilmore.pdf |title=Gilmore Trail, Tolland State Forest |work=MassParks |publisher=Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs |accessdate=July 24, 2013}}
5. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/hunting-fishing-wildlife-watching/fishing/western-district-trout-waters.html |title=Trout Stocked Waters - Western District |publisher=Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs |accessdate=July 24, 2013}}