Purgatory Chasm State Park, a Massachusetts State Park located nearby Ashland, Auburn and Bellingham

PURGATORY CHASM STATE PARK

PURGATORY CHASM STATE PARK
Purgatory Rd.
Sutton, Massachusetts 01590

Phone: 508-234-3733

Purgatory Chasm State Park
'Purgatory Chasm State Park'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

Purgatory Chasm State Park
'Fat Mans Misery'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

Theres a big crack in the rock you can crawl through if you are slim enough and not frightened of confined areas.

Purgatory Chasm State Park
'The Chasm'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

Purgatory Chasm State Park
'Chasm Entrance'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

Sign Reads PURGATORY CHASM IS A BOLD AND UNIQUE LANDSCAPE. HIKERS BEWARE OF THE DANGERS OF THIS TRAIL SLIPPERY AND DECEIVING ROCKS. THE TRAIL IS ONE HALF MILE LONG AND CLIMBING IS INVOLVED HIKERS SHOULD BE PHYSICALLY FIT. HELP KEEP THE CHASM IN A NATURAL STATE. DO NOT CARRY IN FOOD OR BEVERAGE.

Purgatory Chasm State Park
'The Chasm'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

Purgatory Chasm State Park
'Visitors Center'
© all photos copyright Gary Jordan e-mail sm1107comcast.net

A unique natural landmark, Purgatory Chasm runs for a quarter of a mile between granite walls rising as high as 70 feet. Popular with picnickers and rock-climbers alike, the Chasm is believed to have its origin in the sudden release of dammed-up glacial meltwater near the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 14,000 years ago.

Trails lead to a wide variety of rock formations, with such romantic names as The Corn Crib, The Coffin, The Pulpit, Lovers' Leap and Fat Man's Misery.

Area Accommodations

Carriage House Inn - Chatham, MA

BBs / Inns

Carriage House Inn, a romantic Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts. The Carriage House Inn offers spacious grounds, beautifully appointed guestrooms and gracious hospitality. Start your morning with a hot cup of coffee or tea in your room. Relax beside your fireplace or in one of the rocking chairs outside with your morning newspaper delivered to your door. Then, come over to the dining room or the sunroom for a truly gourmet breakfast. However you decide to spend the rest of your day is up to you. The innkeepers will surely make your vacation experience a memorable one.

Web Site: http://www.thecarriagehouseinn.com/

Get directions
to this park:

Nearby Parks

Sutton State Forest

Upton State Forest

Douglass State Forest

Quinsicamond State Park

Whitehall State Park

Quaddick State Forest

Quaddick State Park

Hopkinton State Park

Hopkinton State Park Swimming Pool Dam

Hopkinton State Park Swimming Pool Reservoir

Things To Do in the Area

RiverQuest-Connecticut River Expeditions - Haddam, CT

Boating

Explore the Connecticut River aboard the R/V River Quest, an environmentally friendly 64', 60 passenger vessel docked at Eagle Landing State Park, Haddam, CT.

Web Site: http://www.ctriverquest.com

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

April 12 Bring your walking stick!

My husband and I visited this park the summer of 2009 and were very surprised when we got there, and realized the extent of climbing and descent involved amongst the rocks. There were other visitors who were hesitant to pursue the trail, but we went on very carefully mind you. This is when we decided a walking stick for balance would be helpful in traversing the terrain. All in all it was a nice hike and we will visit again, but will be more prepared next time. I will be bringing my sister to hike the chasm when she comes up from the flatlands of Florida this summer 2010.

Area Campgrounds

Bowdish Lake Camping Area 40 Safari Road Chepachet, RI 401-568-8890	Beaver Pines Campground 1728 Route 198 Woodstock, CT 860-974-0110
Chamberlain Lake Campground 1397 Route 197 Woodstock, CT 860-974-0567	Circle C.G. Farm Adult Family Campground & RV Pa 131 North Main Street Bellingham, MA 508-966-1136
King's Campground 24 Holt Road Manchaug, MA	Sturbridge Resort 19 Mashapaug Road Sturbridge, MA 508-347-7156
Yogi Bear's Sturbridge Jellystone Park 30 River Road Sturbridge, MA 508-347-9570	Indian Ranch Recreation 200 Gore Road Webster, MA

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Weather Forecast, (01590)

Directions

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation is located in the south-eastern part of central Massachusetts.

From the east & west: Take Mass Pike to Exit 10A, take Rt.146 south about 4 miles into Town of Sutton, take Purgatory Road Exit, take right at end of ramp onto Purgatory Road, park is 1,000 feet up the road.

From the north and south: Take Rt. 495 to Mass Pike, head West on Mass Pike to Exit 10A, take Rt.146 south about 4 miles into Sutton, take Purgatory Road Exit, take right at end of ramp onto Purgatory Road, park is 1,000 feet up the road.

From the north: Take Rt I90 south to Rt 290 south into Worcester. Take Exit 12 at Brosnihan Square onto Rt. 146 -Millbury Street. Head south on Rt. 146 about 6 miles into the Town of Sutton. Take Purgatory Road Exit, take right at end of ramp onto Purgatory Road, park is 1,000 feet up the road.