Ashley Reservoir is a 211-acre drinking-water reservoir on the south side of Holyoke, owned by the city’s water department and ringed by a roughly 4.5-mile flat gravel loop that has become one of the most-used everyday running and walking paths in the southern valley.
What it is
The reservoir is a working secondary drinking-water supply for the City of Holyoke, owned and operated by Holyoke Water Works. The perimeter service road is open to foot and bike use during daylight hours, but the water itself is closed to swimming, boating, and fishing. These restrictions exist to protect water quality, not to discourage visitors.
The setting is more wooded than you’d expect from a city reservoir. Pine stands line much of the shoreline, with open water views opening up at several points around the loop, and the Mount Tom Range rising to the west.
What to do
- Run or walk the loop: about 4.5 miles all the way around, flat and well-packed gravel, suitable for almost any pace. Long-running local 5K series have used the reservoir for years.
- Cycling: the gravel surface is friendly to hybrid and gravel bikes; not ideal for narrow road tires.
- Birding: herons, waterfowl, and woodland songbirds are common along the shore and pine stands.
What to know
- No dogs. Drinking-water regulations prohibit dogs on the reservoir grounds. Also banned: horseback riding, camping, smoking, sledding, and motorized vehicles.
- No swimming, boating, or fishing. The water is a public supply.
- Hours: daylight only; the gates close dusk to dawn.
- Parking: the Elks Lodge lot off Whitney Avenue is the standard entry point and is free.
The reservoir sits adjacent to Holyoke Community College and is a short drive from Mount Tom State Reservation, making it an easy add-on to a longer day in southern Hampden County.