New Ashford is a small Berkshires community near Mount Greylock
New Ashford is a small Berkshire County town that lines U.S. Route 7 along a flat pass between the Greylock and Taconic Mountain ranges. And “small” might be an understatement to describe the size of New Ashford; according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town reported a population of only 250 residents in 2020. But what it lacks in size and population, the town makes up for in a combination of peaceful solitude and convenient proximity to larger towns. U.S. Route 7 – called New Ashford Road in the section that cuts through town – is a major thoroughfare in the Berkshires and connects residents to the nearby hubs of Williamstown and Pittsfield.
New Ashford is almost entirely residential, aside from several local hotels and community buildings, including New Ashford Town Hall. The town’s newest hotel is The Springs Motel, which was renovated and reopened in 2022 after being closed for over two decades. The motel’s renovation was filmed for an episode of a reality TV show called “Inn the Works” on the Magnolia Network. Outdoor destinations and natural attractions like Mount Greylock propel New Ashford’s budding rural tourism industry. Those who live in town full-time are drawn to the town’s natural beauty and the private, spacious and quiet lifestyle the remote location offers. According to the CAP Index, New Ashford has an overall crime score of 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4 and the lowest score possible on the index.
Custom-built homes on spacious lots
Housing options in New Ashford are mostly scattered just off U.S. Route 7, although some properties are farther into the wooded hillsides. Homes often feature long driveways and foliage-filled lawns that blend with the town’s natural surroundings. Common housing styles include wood cabins, Craftsman-style homes and ranch-style houses from the 20th century. Single-family home prices can range from approximately $250,000 to $750,000, but properties are very rarely listed on the market here. Undeveloped plots of land are occasionally listed for sale and often purchased by people who want space to build a custom home.
Mount Greylock Regional School District serves New Ashford students
New Ashford is zoned for the Mount Greylock Regional School District, which receives an overall A rating on Niche. Prekindergarten through sixth-grade students can start their education at Lanesborough Elementary School, an A-minus-rated institution with a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. Grades seven through 12 can attend Mount Greylock Regional School, also rated A-minus. In 2025, Niche ranked Mount Greylock Regional as the second-best public high school in Berkshire County. Mount Greylock students can take Advanced Placement courses or earn college credits through dual enrollment programs with Berkshire Community College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Williams College.
Hiking in the Mount Greylock State Reservation
The eastern mountains of New Ashford are all part of the Mount Greylock State Reservation, which covers roughly 12,000 acres of land and spreads into several other towns. Numerous hiking trails throughout the reservation lead up to the summit of Mount Greylock, which offers panoramic views of the northern Berkshires. Hiking enthusiasts can also access the famed Appalachian Trail near Mount Greylock at a parking lot along Rockwell Road; however, the reservation’s paved roads can only be accessed seasonally by the public from mid-May until the end of October. Below Mount Greylock’s summit to the east is Greylock Glen, a popular 1,000-acre recreation destination with waterfalls, swimming areas and trails for cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain biking and more. Several Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) border New Ashford and are maintained by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The division oversees conservation efforts and manages the available outdoor recreation in these areas.
Shopping, dining and other amenities in Pittsfield
Given its small size, it is perhaps not surprising that New Ashford is not a burgeoning commercial sector. In fact, dining and retail options are almost nonexistent within the town’s boundaries. Bondhu is a local culinary center and the only dining option in New Ashford; the establishment is mainly for private gatherings, but hosts occasional public events. However, residents here aren’t far from commercial amenities. Four miles north of town along Route 7 is the Store at Five Corners, a combined restaurant and local market across from the Williamstown Historical Museum and Waubeeka Springs Golf Course. Residents can drive 12 miles south on Route 7 to reach Pittsfield, which has urban conveniences like supermarkets, commercial businesses, healthcare services and dozens of dining options, both chain and local. Pittsfield is also home to several performing arts theaters and the Berkshire Museum, which has exhibits on natural history and art. Located in the suburbs of Pittsfield, Berkshire Crossing and Allendale Shopping Center are adjacent malls with a range of big-box stores and national retailers, including Walmart, HomeGoods and Home Depot.
U.S. Route 7 is New Ashford’s main thoroughfare
U.S. Route 7, also known as Highway 7, is a major arterial road that runs north-south through New Ashford and the entirety of Berkshire County. Commuters can drive south on Route 7 toward Pittsfield or head 9 miles north to Williamstown. The nearest Berkshire Regional Transit Authority bus station is 6 miles south in the town of Lanesborough. Downtown Pittsfield has an Amtrak train station that is served by the Berkshire Flyer and Lake Shore Limited lines. Pittsfield is also home to the Berkshire Medical Center, a general hospital with a 24-hour emergency room. Albany International Airport is an hour-long drive away and is the closest commercial airport.
