The property, in operation since 1907, includes one of North America's oldest managed forests, educational and research facilities, a museum, and recreation trails.

This includes the Schoolyard LTER program, which allows K-12 classrooms to participate in the collection and analysis of environmental data[1] The forest is mostly supported by stony sandy loam podzol soils developed on glacial till and most commonly mapped as Berkshire, Becket, Skerry, Peru, and Marlow series.

[2] However, the classic podzol banded appearance is absent from many profiles due to obliteration of the pale eluvial (A2 or E) horizon by earthworm activity, which was noted in Harvard Forest in the 1920s.

[3] The Fisher Museum, open on weekends, offers exhibits on current research as well as twenty-three model dioramas portraying the history, conservation and management of New England woodlands.

Harvard Forest staff and students conduct educational programs and guided natural history tours for adults and children.