Right now
Right now as of Oct 29, 2026
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Oct 29, 2026): Open daily, sunrise to sunset. The Trustees' page listed no closures when we read it on October 29, 2026. It showed only the swimming ban and a hunting advisory for the Coddings Meadow parcel (no hunting on Sundays). What the status labels mean
Doane's Falls is a chain of five waterfalls on Lawrence Brook in Royalston, Massachusetts, managed by The Trustees. They give no official height. A half-mile trail leads down one side of the stream, and entry is free daily from sunrise to sunset. Swimming, diving and wading are banned, a rule Wikipedia dates to 2002. The Trustees' page listed no closures on October 29, 2026.
About Doane's Falls
Lawrence Brook drops over five waterfalls in about 0.2 mile, according to Wikipedia, on its way to Tully Lake and the Millers River. The Trustees say the falls tumble from under a stone bridge on Athol Road toward Tully Lake.
Neither The Trustees nor Wikipedia gives a height for Doane's Falls. NewEnglandWaterfalls.com, a guidebook site, puts the combined drop of all five falls at about 175 feet. Treat that number as an estimate, not an official figure.
The falls take their name from Amos Doane, The Trustees say. His early-1800s mill made doors, sashes and blinds, and its foundations are still there.
The Trustees acquired the 46-acre reservation in 1959, and Tully Lake Campground borders it, according to Wikipedia. The 22-mile Tully Trail passes through, The Trustees note. It also reaches Royalston Falls, a separate Trustees property where Falls Brook drops about 50 feet in a granite gorge, per Wikipedia.
Getting there and parking
The main entrance is on Athol Road in Royalston, about 4 miles north of Athol. The Trustees say it has room for only 3 cars, so be ready to use the second lot if it is full.
The second lot is lower down, on Doane Hill Road near Tully Lake Campground. The accessible trail to the lower falls starts there, according to The Trustees.
You pay nothing to visit. The Trustees list Doane's Falls as 'Free to all,' and we found no permit, ticket or reservation system. We could not confirm whether there are restrooms at either lot.
Map and nearby falls
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The hike
The Trustees rate the trail 'Moderate walking, strenuous in places,' and suggest you allow at least 1 hour. They describe 'a half-mile trail' that 'leads down one side of the stream.'
The Trustees don't publish a round-trip distance. If you walk down and come back the same way, the half-mile figure works out to about 1 mile in total.
For a shorter, gentler visit, start from the Doane Hill Road lot. An accessible trail of about 0.15 mile runs from there to the lower falls, The Trustees say. Of the three Massachusetts falls on this site, it is the only one with a documented accessible route.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times, according to The Trustees.
For a longer day, the Tully Trail continues beyond the reservation. We found no official distances for its sections, so check a trail map before you commit.
When to visit
The Trustees list the reservation as open daily from sunrise to sunset. We found no seasonal closing.
We found no official guidance on the best month for flow or on typical crowds. With only 3 spaces at the main entrance, an early arrival gives you the best chance of parking at the top of the trail.
Hunting is allowed on the Coddings Meadow parcel, but never on Sundays, The Trustees say. During hunting season, they advise wearing blaze orange.
On October 29, 2026, The Trustees' page listed no closures. The only notices were the swimming ban and the hunting advisory.
Two other Massachusetts falls on this site are in Berkshire County. Wahconah Falls in Dalton has a half-mile loop and free parking. Bash Bish Falls in Mount Washington is about a 0.6-mile round trip from its Massachusetts lot, per DCR. Our Massachusetts waterfalls guide compares all three.
| Trail | Half-mile trail, 'Moderate walking, strenuous in places' (The Trustees); about 1 mi round trip if you return the same way. A 0.15-mi accessible trail runs from the Doane Hill Road lot to the lower falls |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate, strenuous in places (The Trustees) |
| Time needed | At least 1 hour (The Trustees) |
| Entry fee | Free. The Trustees list the reservation as 'Free to all.' |
| Permit / reservation | No permit or ticket listed by The Trustees |
| Parking | 3-car Athol Road lot; lower lot on Doane Hill Road |
| Hours / season | Daily, sunrise to sunset (The Trustees) |
| Dogs | On a leash at all times (The Trustees) |
| Swimming | No. The Trustees prohibit swimming, diving and wading, which they say 'have led to fatalities and serious injuries over the years.' Wikipedia dates the ban to 2002. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | Partly: an accessible trail of about 0.15 mi runs from the Doane Hill Road lot to the lower falls (The Trustees) |
| Managed by | The Trustees |
Safety and swimming
Swimming, diving and wading are prohibited at Doane's Falls. The Trustees say these activities 'have led to fatalities and serious injuries over the years.' Wikipedia says the ban has been in place since 2002.
Watch the falls from the trail, and do not climb on the rocks or step into the brook. Where the trail turns strenuous, expect uneven, slippery footing, especially after rain.
Keep children within reach near the water and dogs on a leash, as required. Our waterfall safety guide covers why fast water and wet rock are riskier than they look.
Where to stay near Doane's Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Royalston.
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Photos
Doane's Falls FAQ
Can you swim in Doane's Falls?
No. The Trustees prohibit swimming, diving and wading, which they say 'have led to fatalities and serious injuries over the years.' Wikipedia dates the ban to 2002.
How long is the hike at Doane's Falls?
About 1 mile round trip if you return the same way. The Trustees describe a half-mile trail down one side of the stream, 'Moderate walking, strenuous in places,' and suggest allowing at least 1 hour. An accessible trail of about 0.15 mile reaches the lower falls from the Doane Hill Road lot.
Where do you park for Doane's Falls?
The main entrance on Athol Road in Royalston has room for 3 cars, The Trustees say. A lower lot on Doane Hill Road, near Tully Lake Campground, serves the accessible trail.
Is Doane's Falls free?
Yes. The Trustees list it as 'Free to all,' and the reservation is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
How tall is Doane's Falls?
Doane's Falls has no official height. NewEnglandWaterfalls.com, a guidebook site, gives about 175 feet in total across the five falls. Wikipedia counts five falls along 0.2 mile of Lawrence Brook but gives no height.
Are dogs allowed at Doane's Falls?
Yes, on a leash at all times, according to The Trustees.
Nearby waterfalls
More waterfalls to explore
Bash Bish FallsMassachusetts · 76 mi straight-lineOpen60FT
Wadsworth FallsConnecticut · 82 mi straight-lineOpen30FT
All waterfalls in Massachusetts
On these lists: Free waterfalls
Sources
- The Trustees: Doane's Falls
- Wikipedia: Doane's Falls
- NewEnglandWaterfalls.com: Doane's Falls
- Wikipedia: Royalston Falls
Last verified Oct 29, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with The Trustees before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.