West Hill Dam and Park remain open year-round. Outside posted hours of operation, please feel free to park at the gates and walk in to enjoy your park. West Hill Park where the West River widens to form a large, natural swimming hole, known locally as Harrington Pool. Tables and grills are available for picnicking in two areas of the park, one near a beach and one under a grove of pines. The park also offers two sandy beaches, a change house, and modern restrooms. Two picnic shelters on a wooded knoll, with electricity, are available to groups for a small fee. A sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and accessible playground are nearby. From the parking lot, a 0.5-mile, self-guided nature trail runs down along the river and loops back through the woods.

About two miles of hiking trails meander through the woodlands and provide secluded views of the river. Anglers will find trout in the main river channel and bass, pickerel, and horned pout in the pools. Hunting for deer, small game, and upland birds are permitted by state laws. Trout and pheasant are stocked by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Woods, fields, wetlands, and streams provide habitat for both resident and migratory wildlife. Red foxes, raccoons, deer, and an occasional coyote find protection in the woods. Open fields attract rabbits, mice, butterflies, hawks, and owls. Streams and wetlands are home to fish, spring peepers, box turtles, and great blue herons, among others.

The diverse habitat makes it one of the finest birding areas in Worcester County with over 200 species sighted annually. Spring and fall migrations bring the greatest diversity of species, with waterfowl and wading birds resting along the river, while herons and rails poke among the streamside plants for food. Winter visitors can listen for hoots of early-nesting owls and look for flocks of sparrows, juncos, chickadees, cedar waxwings, and golden-crowned kinglets in the snow-covered branches.

The West River winds through some 567 acres of white pine and red oak forest, broken up by rolling meadows. Red maple swamps and several bogs fill the lowlands while three small brooks feed the river. Woods, fields, wetlands, and streams provide habitat for both resident and migratory wildlife. Red foxes, raccoons, deer, and an occasional coyote find protection in the woods. Open fields attract rabbits, mice, butterflies, hawks, and owls. Streams and wetlands are home to fish, spring peepers, box turtles, and great blue herons, among others. The diverse habitat makes the one of the finest birding areas with 200 species sited annually. Spring and fall migrations bring the greatest diversity of species. Spring and summer also yield excellent wildflower viewing.