Atop Mount Greylock – Bascom Lodge

Posted by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

When we say that Massachusetts has it all, we mean it. From Provincetown’s sand dunes to the bucolic landscapes of the Berkshires, Massachusetts is a state where you can find suitable terrain for virtually anyone interested in an outdoors adventure.
For those looking to venture into the heights, sitting at 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest point in the state, and nestled atop its summit, you will find an outdoors enthusiast’s gem; a hikers safe haven; and a great place for a day trip or overnight stay – Bascom Lodge.
Roughly nine miles to the summit, Bascom Lodge sits as a rustic structure made of local schist and red spruce, offering simple, yet memorable, accommodations to hikers and outdoor adventurers.
Bascom Lodge was originally built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and is now operated by the Bascom Lodge Group in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Historic Curatorship Program.
Having officially opened its roads and services for the 2012 summer season on Saturday, May 19th, Bascom Lodge offers private and group rooms available for overnight stays, as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, through October 2012.

Their restaurant and cafe offers a fluctuating menu – check out their daily menu calendar here – inspired by the ethnic diversity of regional American cuisine, and strongly emphasizes fresh, organic, locally-produced foods. Though, they serve seven days a week, reservations are required for dinner, and can be made by calling 413-743-1591, as there is only one seating for dinner each night at 7PM.
The large dining room with its high ceiling and hand-cut oak beams provide an ideal atmosphere for the enjoyment of an elegantly simple meal, and the enclosed porch with wraparound windows overlook what could quite possibly be the finest views in all of the Berkshires. The Lodge’s stone fireplaces also create a relaxing ambiance, especially after a long day of hiking.

Described by Yankee Magazine as the “Best Meal with a View” (2011) and “Best Mountaintop Lodging” (2012), the Lodge offers a set of truly breathtaking views – so much so, that when the skies are clear, viewers can glance out at roughly five neighboring states.
The Massachusetts Veteran’s War Memorial Tower, adjacent to the Lodge, offers, undoubtedly, the best view of all – a 93-foot-high granite shaft with an interior spiral staircase to the top that crowns the highest point in the state. Dedicated in June 1933, the memorial stands as a tribute to men and women in uniform of the state and nation.

The Mountain offers 50 miles of trails over a variety of terrain, including a section of the “Georgia-to-Maine” Appalachian Trail.
In addition, free events are held each week on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays.
The Lodge is also available for weddings, anniversaries, and private parties. For more information, check out their website www.bascomlodge.net, and you can also find them on Facebook.
Have you ventured out to Bascom Lodge recently? If so, tell us on our Visit Massachusetts Facebook page, and feel free to share you photos, too! 🙂
Photos credited to Monika Sosnowski & the Bascom Lodge Group.

TOPICS: Berkshires, Hiking, Outdoors, Things to Do