September 12, 2025 – Greenfield, Massachusetts
Parking: 70 Mountain Road, Greenfield, MA 01301
No restrooms or visitor facilities on-site
Overview:
Poet’s Seat Tower is a 46-foot sandstone observation tower atop Rocky Mountain in Greenfield, Massachusetts, standing about 515 feet above sea level.
Poet’s Seat Tower
The original Poet’s Seat Tower was a wooden structure built in 1877. It stood on a scenic bluff now known as Rocky Mountain Park, overlooking the Connecticut River Valley. The site was long associated with poets and writers who were drawn to its sweeping vistas and tranquil atmosphere — hence the name “Poet’s Seat.”
Poet’s Seat Tower – Rocky Mountain Park
The first tower was a simple wooden lookout constructed by local residents to commemorate Frederick Goddard Tuckerman (1821–1873), a reclusive 19th-century poet from Greenfield who often visited the spot for inspiration. Tuckerman’s friends and admirers dedicated the tower in his honor, recognizing both his literary legacy and his connection to the landscape.
Original Poet’s Seat Tower
That original wooden tower stood for several decades before deteriorating. That original wooden tower stood for several decades before deteriorating. It was eventually replaced by the current sandstone tower, which still stands today and serves as a beloved local landmark.
Built in 1912 to replace the earlier wooden tower from 1877, it honors the area’s long association with poets—most notably Frederick Goddard Tuckerman, who drew inspiration from the scenic overlook in the 19th century.
Poet’s Seat Tower
From the top, visitors are treated to sweeping views of the Connecticut River Valley, the Pocumtuck Range, and the surrounding hilltowns—especially stunning during autumn when the landscape blazes with color.
View southwest – Poet’s Seat Tower
View west – Poet’s Seat Tower
The tower’s rustic stone construction and crenellated top give it the look of a small medieval fortress, a fitting tribute to the romantic spirit of the poets who once admired the same view.
Poet’s Seat Tower
In 1977, Poet’s Seat Tower underwent a major restoration to preserve its structure and historic charm. Funded by the town of Greenfield, the Bicentennial Commission, and local civic groups, the project included repointing the sandstone exterior, repairing the spiral staircase, and reinforcing the tower’s interior with new steel and cement work.
Poet’s Seat Tower
Inside Poet’s Seat Tower, a short flight of straight iron steps leads upward from the ground floor to the two interior upper levels, where a spiral iron staircase continues to the open observation deck.
Poet’s Seat Tower
Poet’s Seat Tower
The interior features rough sandstone walls and arched window openings that let in natural light and frame views of the surrounding landscape. Reinforced with steel and concrete during the 1970’s restoration, the tower’s interior remains sturdy yet retains its historic character, guiding visitors upward to the open observation deck and its sweeping vistas.
Poet’s Seat Tower
The tower is open to the public year-round, and parking is available nearby, making it an easy stop for scenic vistas and a taste of local history. Along with its literary connections, the site offers picnic spots and walking trails, adding to its appeal as a peaceful getaway.
Poet’s Seat Tower
Poet’s Seat Tower
Rocky Mountain Park in Greenfield, Massachusetts, is a scenic public preserve that stretches along a forested ridgeline above the Connecticut River Valley. Centered around Poet’s Seat Tower, the park features wooded trails, rocky cliffs, and open ledges that offer sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. It’s one of Greenfield’s most beloved outdoor destinations, blending natural beauty with local history.
Rocky Mountain Park
The park’s network of trails winds through oak and pine forests, connecting scenic overlooks such as High Ledge and Beacon Field below. Visitors can hike, picnic, or simply enjoy the views from the tower and its surrounding stone benches. The area has long been a place of inspiration—once visited by 19th-century poets like Frederick Goddard Tuckerman, and later preserved by local citizens who valued its rugged charm and panoramic vistas.
Rocky Mountain Park
Rocky Mountain Park has roughly 2 to 3 miles of interconnected trails that wind along the ridgeline and surrounding woodland. These trails vary from gentle paths near Beacon Field to steeper, more rugged sections that climb toward Poet’s Seat Tower and other rocky overlooks. Many visitors extend their walk by linking to nearby green spaces and town trails, creating longer loop options around Greenfield’s hillside parks.
Sources:
Scenes From The Trail 