Little Wilson Falls, Elliotsville Township

This is a great hike to do on a hot day, because the swimming pools you pass along your hike are irresistible. The 1.4-mile, fairly gentle trail takes you to a splendid waterfall (which doesn’t seem to lend itself to swimming, but is very pretty). For the first .8-miles, you hike up a blue-blazed side trail that connects to the Appalachian Trail, blazed in white. At the intersection, head left and walk the last half mile to Little Wilson Falls, which are impossible to miss.

The trail is fairly easy, without much elevation gained and without many boulders to navigate. You can also reach the falls by starting at the AT intersection with Route 15, about 6.6 miles west.

The only downside to this trail is that the trailhead is hard to reach, as it’s at the end of a pretty bumpy dirt road that’s best suited for cars with high clearance. You can park, however, at the end of it, where it intersects with Elliotsville Plantation Road, and walk the 1.1 miles or so to the trailhead.

Directions: From Route 15 in Monson, turn right onto Elliotsville Road. After 7.6 miles and before the bridge, turn left. The first parking area will be on your left. If you have a good vehicle for rough roads, continue 1.1 miles to the end of the road. This is where you’ll see the first of several great pools.