The Midstate Trail Committee supports the Midstate Trail as a walking trail. We solicit permission from land owners to use it for walking. We have no rights other than those given us by private landowners or public land managers to use the path for walking. As a committee, we have no position on other uses for the trail, except as they may interfere with its use as a walking trail, or might jeopardize our agreements with property owners. The Committee  has NO involvement with the buildings or structures along the trail. Contact Massachusetts DCR or Westminster Conservation Commission for info regarding the shelters. Thank You. 

   92 miles of hiking trail wind through the gentle hills of Worcester County, a peaceful retreat for foot travelers. There is much to see on the diverse Midstate Trail and this website is here to help you experience this gem of a foot path. Much more to come, including maps and Trail conditions.

 

Click here to order the Midstate Trail Guide



7 Principles of 

Leave No Trace 

 

Leave No Trace means traveling and camping with care, deliberately planning, and guiding one's actions so as not to harm the environment or disturb others.

 

1. Plan ahead and prepare. Know the terrain and any regulations applicable to the area you're planning to visit, and be prepared for extreme weather or other emergencies. This will enhance your enjoyment and ensure that you've chosen an appropriate destination. Small groups have less impact on resources — and on the enjoyment of other backcountry visitors — than large ones.
   
   
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces. These include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses, or snow. Good campsites are found, not made. Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and focus activities on areas where vegetation is absent. In pristine areas, disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
   
   
3. Dispose of waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
   
   
4. Leave what you find. Cultural or historic artifacts, as well as natural objects such as plants or rocks, should be left as found.
   
   
5. Minimize campfire impacts. Cook on a stove. If a campfire is built, keep it small and use dead sticks found on the ground. Use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
   
   
6. Respect wildlife. View critters from a distance. Feeding wildlife alters their natural behavior.
   
   
7. Be considerate of other visitors. Be courteous, respect the quality of other visitors' backcountry experience, and let the natural sounds of the forest prevail.

For more information about Leave No Trace principles, visit also www.lnt.org