Wendell State Forest — Local services in Wendell

Wendell state forest is a hidden gem. The forest is huge and mostly intact from more than 50 years of no logging. Yes, DCR did log a big chunk of woods there. It should serve as an example of Boston centric natural resource Mgt. We should learn from seeing the slow recovery, perhaps absent species that once flourished in these cuts. By examining the untouched portions we can learn from the mistakes and gain insights from the intact forests. Ruggles pond is quiet most days, uncrowded and swimmable for kids of all ages. There's camping on the New England trail in big lean to's. Every day I see wildlife.... fish, reptiles, birds, deer, moose, bears...up close...

Very quiet & Relaxing place. We stayed about 5 hours cooked some food on the grill. I gave it FOUR STARS, but then dropped it to a three because there is no way I would eve go swimming in that pond. Not sure about fishing it or putting a boat in there. Can anybody tell me if the gates close automatically on a timer??? We thought it closed @ 5:00pm. By the time we started to leave it was 5:04 we then pulled over at the top to check everything., Whe we drove by the gate upon leaving "THE GATE WAS CLOSED"

And there was nobody around to close it. The car clock said 5:09. So I'll ask again. IS THE GATE...

Just found this great state park cruising around w the dogs looking for a new place and love it. They have a great combo of trails and roads very extensive because place is big. Plus they allow snowmobiling and have two small ponds for kayaking/swimming. Bring the bug juice as with any forest there are bugs. But good to see our tax dollars go to something this nice. But I'd like to know where the money from logging the forest goes to, especially with lumber so high and the state just can't have a resident firewood...