The Nature Conservancy owns 25 acres of this unique preserve and the remaining acreage is owned by Five Colleges, Inc. (a consortium made up of Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and Amherst Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts). The entire preserve is managed cooperatively by The Nature Conservancy and is used as an outdoor classroom by the Five Colleges.

In 1997, volunteers and staff completed a 700-foot boardwalk. Partially made from non-toxic recycled plastic, the boardwalk forms a trail over the floating bog mat. It replaced boards that had been placed directly on the bog mat, which threatened the bog’s sensitive community of plants. In 2012 the boardwalk was extended and portions were replaced.

At the periphery of the bog is a wooded swamp with wild iris surrounded by striking stands of hemlock and mountain laurel. Look closely at the bog mat for a variety of unique plant species including carnivorous plants such as bladderwort and sundews. The bog is also a wonderful spot to bird watch and moose have been sighted occasionally.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Hawley Bog.