Situated on a rocky peninsula jutting into the Connecticut River, Barton Cove is a great place for a day trip or camping. A scenic 1-mile nature trail along a rocky ridge overlooks the river and passes an abandoned dinosaur footprint quarry.

Rental canoes and kayaks are available. Birders delight in the bald eagles nesting on an island in the cove or watch from their computers via an eagle cam.

Nearby is the Northfield Mountain Environmental and Recreation Center, with other recreational opportunities. Northfield Mountain and Barton Cove are operated by FirstLight Power Resources.