Douglas State Forest

Update--
DSF was the locale for a recent NEMBA weekend event, and a lot of sprucing up was done. I'm still overall conflicted on the trails here -- on one side, they are marked, fairly varied, and challenging. And I love a challenge. But while there are almost no tree roots, which I find obnoxious, there are rocks, rocks, and more rocks. Rocks are okay -- they keep you awake, and provide variety. There's just so many here, the trails almost don't seem...fun. It's just a constant rock avoidance ride.
You can whip a hardtail through here, so long as you can control yourself going downhill here as mentioned above you can smash directly into a rock garden, whereas a full suspension, while giving more confidence on those downhills, might wear you out when you feel like all you ever do out here is pedal uphill.
Anyway, the trails are worth a look, but they definitely aren't for anybody. And beware of flooding.

It's a big long grind, and that's not why I'm rating it low. This trail needs some TLC; lots of trees down, brush grown way in. I posted some photos of the rocks, and they don't even start to describe how rough it can get out there. Definitely not somewhere to go if you're looking for a smooth sailing jaunt.

I joined a large New Year's Day ride with QC NEMBA to check out Douglas amidst some hard pack snow and ice. It seems like a really great network of trails with plentiful rock gardens and sweeping trails. It was very rideable on a 29er in the snow, but I'm sure it will be more fun in the spring. Not much signage, and as mentioned, there's a lot of trail here, so go with someone who knows the land.

Loose packing due to lack of rain, be careful. Bring a buddy or a decent GPS with you. I got seriously lost and pulled out the GPS to get back to the trail head.

I've been here a couple of times and did roughly a 17 mile out and back. I parked on RT16 at the Midstate Trail and took it south and hit the coffeehouse loop, and made my way down to the Tri-State marker and back. I'd like to get back there and explore more because there is definitely some cool riding out there! It's a decent mix of rocky singletrack and fire roads, and although there's not a ton of elevation change, the rockiness will offer plenty of challenge! This, to me, is a place to ride when you kind of just want to grind it out, not a lot of flow, but a challenging and satisfying ride!

The trail systems are very large and color coded but best to be done with a buddy/GPS. The trails offer a variety of skill levels and all connect so be careful. I rode the yellow dot trail and it was plenty good. I believe the Blue Dot is for the very technical riders. Beautiful sceneries and awsome downhill/climbs on rock beds.* Review edited 7/31/2012

Long fireroads, covered ST., too many rocky trails, where is the BIG Downhill stuff...I came from 70M away & I was a bit disappointed. Trails could be marked better for such a large park esp. fireroads. Beware midsate trail it's so rocky you have to walk your bike three times or so until you hit hard pack again. Even w/ a map it's easy to get confused once you get closer to the tri-state marker. My advice don't go alone & bring a cell. I'll stick w/ my SE mass parks. If you live nearby I guess it's not bad, but then again if you live there you could drive to RI or Conn. and find a better park. Not only that but a weird Cop followed me out of Douglas for who knows what, I was doing nothing wrong.* Review edited 5/29/2012* Review edited 5/29/2012* Review edited 5/29/2012

Great Trials. Took us a while to figure out where we were on the map, but once we found our way it was great. There are a wide variety of trials to pick. Double track, fire roads, single track, and very rock hiking paths. Very quiet and peaceful area. If you take the trails up to the Whitin Reservoir there is a really nice rope swing and the swimming is great. Some very steep windy single track thrown in if you look for it. Great place to ride, well maintained and easy to get to. We only rode about 10 miles of trails, but will definitely come back again a few times at least.

Had to drop another line regarding DSF. I love this place! I started at the trailhead on Rt 16 which is the Midstate Trail. Crossed the SNETTS and headed toward Wallum Lake via the Coffee House Loop and Cedar Swamp Trail. I like this so much, I headed back the same way. The Midstate Trail is really fun. 8.5 for technical. Lots of rock gardens, rock climbs and rock descents. The hikers look at you as if to ask you....'How do you ride a bike on this trail?' If you want a challenge, come here.

If it weren't for an endo I took, I would have ridden more miles than I did. But one word describes how I feel about DSF; OutFrigginStanding! Very technical singletracks, complete with downhills and climbs on rocks and boulders. Plenty of switchbacks, trees right up on you as you navigate through the rocks and the occasional riding over fallen logs. A lot of shifting on the fly, too. A great adrenaline rush to ride here.