Visit Elachee Today
Ignite Wonder
Let Curiosity Come Alive
Meet native animals, explore hands-on science, and more. Elachee’s exhibits spark discovery for kids, families, and curious minds of all ages.
Embrace Wonder
Trails for Every Explorer
Twelve miles of winding trails and room to roam. Hike the Chicopee Woods and feel the pace of life shift while you chase an adventure or are just catching your breath.
Know Before You Go
Hours
Visitor Center & Exhibits
Tues – Thurs: 12 PM – 3 PM
Fri: 12 PM – 5 PM
Sat: 10 AM – 5 PM
Sun & Mon: CLOSED
Trails
Open daily,
7 AM – Sunset
Admission
Visitor Center
$10/Person (ages 4+)
$50/Family (max)
Free for members
Parking
$5/Vehicle
$10/ Vans & buses
$50/ Annual Pass
Free for members
Trails
Free access
What to Bring
A Packed Lunch
Make a day of it! Enjoy your meal at one of our shaded picnic areas, on the Visitor Center patio, or at the Nature Nook reading platform. (And remember, pack it in, pack it out.)
Bug Spray
We’re a forest, after all — best to come prepared.
Comfortable Shoes
You’ll be walking trails, climbing logs, and exploring outdoor play spaces. Dress for movement and maybe a little mud.
Curiosity
The most important thing to pack. From spotting a turtle to learning how bees work, there’s always something new to discover.
Sun Protection & Weather Layers
Hats, sunscreen, and rain jackets help keep your day comfortable. No matter what we’ll be open rain or shine.
Water & Snacks
There are no water fountains on the trails, so bring a refillable bottle and a few energizing snacks.
Plan Your Day at Elachee
Because curious minds deserve big adventures.
Pick Your Day
Elachee is open year-round (excluding major holidays), making it ideal for both spontaneous outings and planned adventures. Weekdays offer a quiet, relaxed atmosphere, perfect for stroller strolls and unhurried play. On Saturdays, the experience comes alive with live animal encounters, programs in our discovery dome, and hands-on activities for the whole family.
Start at the Visitor Center
Don’t forget to check out a Discovery Backpack to turn your walk into a nature scavenger hunt packed with tools and activity prompts that keep little explorers engaged.
Let Curiosity Lead the Way
Peek at turtles, wander the trails, build a stick fort, or play giant games at the Creation Station. There’s no schedule, just freedom to explore.
Break for Lunch (and a Breather)
Bring a packed lunch and relax at our shaded picnic areas, Visitor Center patio, or quiet Nature Nook reading platform. Don’t forget to pack wipes and a few extra snacks!
Head Home with Happy Kids
Expect muddy shoes and stories that start with “Did you see that?!”
Exciting Events. One-of-a-Kind
Elachee Experiences
From forest festivals to camp for adults, these are the moments that
make Elachee unforgettable.
Wildlife Festival
Hands-On Encounters with Nature’s Wonders
Get up close with reptiles, raptors, and more. Perfect for animal lovers of all ages, this festival offers interactive experiences and a petting zoo.
Camp Elachee for Adults
A Grown-Up Adventure in the Great Outdoors
Embrace your inner child with activities like archery, live music, and guided night hikes. It’s camp — Elachee style.
Trillium Trek
A Wild Run Through the Woods
Shake off winter on the trails of Chicopee Woods with 5K, 10K, and half-marathon options of a race that winds through scenic overlooks, creek crossings, and the season’s first trillium blooms.
Recurring Event Series
What’s Happening at Elachee
Wonder Doesn’t Happen Just Once.
Our recurring experiences invite you to return again and again, with the individual sessions that explore science, nature, creativity, and discovery.
Young Explorers Club
This hands-on program invites children to learn, discover, and explore through a blend of indoor activities, outdoor adventures or guided hikes, and an animal experience with one of Elachee’s resident ambassadors.
Women of the Woods
Find your confidence, build your skills, and connect with community in the great outdoors!
Wild Wisdom
Join expert speakers, authors, and specialists in their fields for engaging discussions and guided experiences exploring topics from birding to geology to climatology.
2026-2027 Elachee Nature Academy Info Session
Join us for an information session about Elachee Nature Academy’s 2026-2027 school year!
Sips and Stars
Join us for Sips and Stars, a relaxed evening for adults (21+) that blends astronomy, atmosphere, and a laid-back night outdoors at Elachee.
