Freetown-Fall River State Forest

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Freetown-Fall River State Forest is a large public forest in Massachusetts, spanning Fall River and the towns of Freetown and Lakeville. It covers about 5,217 acres (2,111 hectares) and sits mostly in the center of Freetown, stretching across parts of Assonet, East Freetown, and Fall River.

Ownership and history
- The forest is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, with headquarters in Assonet.
- The state began buying land for the forest in 1913, starting with roughly nine acres on Forge Pond. Most land was added through the 1930s, with additional parcels added in 2012 and 2015.
- The Civilian Conservation Corps worked on the property from 1935 to 1937.
- A statue honoring the CCC was dedicated on National Public Lands Day, September 28, 2002.

Notable features
- Profile Rock, a granite outcrop believed by local Native Americans to depict Chief Massasoit.
- A 227-acre Pocasset reservation lies within the forest.
- The forest is run by state agencies and offers numerous outdoor opportunities.

Recreation and facilities
- More than 50 miles (80 km) of unpaved roads and trails are open for walking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, off-road vehicles, and horseback riding.
- A picnic area near the main entrance has a wading pool, playing fields, and restrooms.
- Rattlesnake Brook is stocked with brook trout in the spring, and hunting is allowed on a restricted basis.

Fire history
- The forest has experienced several large fires over the years. Notable examples include a 1980 fire that burned about 230 acres, and fires in 1988, 1991 (about 100 acres each), and 1976 (about 500 acres). A 2001 fire burned around 90–100 acres. Most fires were extinguished by April 30, with small fires continuing into May.

Safety, crime, and other incidents
- The forest has been linked to various crimes and incidents over the years, contributing to local legends about the area. Notable events include the 1978 disappearance and murder of Mary Lou Arruda, several trials involving the same case, reports of suspected Satanic activity in the 1980s, other murders in the forest, and assaults in the 1990s. There have also been incidents such as hazardous waste dumping (1996), aggressive dogs (2006), an escaped emu (2006), a 2015 rescue after a climber fell, a 2016 dumped boat, and wires found across trails in 2016.

Overall
Freetown-Fall River State Forest provides extensive outdoor recreation and natural beauty, with a rich history of land conservation, CCC work, and notable features like Profile Rock. It remains a place for hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and exploration, while carrying a history of fires and various safety incidents.