Hiking, canoeing and camping adventures await families this weekend! (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)

Happy Father’s Day! This weekend there are lots of adventurous opportunities to explore Western MA with the sons, fathers, step-fathers, and grandfathers in your life, like one of the many hikes scheduled for families this weekend.

On Saturday, June 16th in North Adams, the Berkshires Natural Resource Council will be hosting a hike of the Hoosac Range, while the Deerfield River Watershed Association will host two hikes in Rowe, exploring the blooming Mountain Laurels and the Fife Brook Dam. Also on Saturday, in Lanesborough, families can explore the waterfalls of Mt. Greylock, or trek through the forest at Mittineague Park in West Springfield.  On Sunday, June 17th Stanley Park in Westfield will also host a guided walk through the park.

Looking for something a little more adventurous?  How about camping overnight on Saturday, June 16th with the kids at Barton Cove near the water in Northfield where families can learn camping skills and explore the woods and water?  If you prefer to be on the water, try canoeing the Mill River with Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton on Sunday, June 17th, or take a summer solstice kayaking adventure with Northfield Mountain, also at Barton Cove in Northfield.

On Sunday, dads and grandfathers with younger kids can enjoy a free train ride at Look Park in Florence, or Forest Park Zoo in Springfield.  Or take an even bigger free train ride at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum.  Other locations honoring dads and granddads on Father’s Day include Historic Deerfield and Old Sturbridge Village which offer free admission, or a free ride on the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round.

Check our list of Weekly Suggested Events to find out about all of these events and many others, like family performances in Berkshire County this weekend, including The Jimmies at MASS MoCA, Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats at the Colonial Theater, and “Grease!” at Lee High School.  And be sure to check out what’s happening during the week too as great events happen all week long… like on Monday, June 18th when it’s Community Day at Naumkeag in Stockbridge, and Grasshoppas in the Park Before Dark perform at Pettingill Field in Cummington in the evening!