Recreation

Walking, Biking and Enjoying the River


[ image by Jim McElholm-Single Source Inc. ] 		With its unusual combination of historic, cultural and natural resources, the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor possesses tremendous opportunities for recreation and exploration.

Opportunities abound for sightseeing, hiking, boating, bicycling, fishing and other leisure activities. Recreation is especially important in this area as the Corridor cuts through some of the most densely populated areas of New England. It connects Providence and Worcester, the second and third largest cities in New England, and is only 25 miles away from Boston, the region’s largest city. More than 6 million people live within 50 miles of the Corridor and can enjoy its resources.

The Blackstone River and Canal are already focal areas for recreation activities. Residents take advantage of recreational fishing, walking or riding along paths that follow the river, and canoeing and kayaking on both the river and the canal. Paddling enthusiasts enjoy some of the best views of the Valley’s scenic beauty as well as the unanticipated discovery of industrial remains at the river’s edge. Providing access to the river is one of the priorities of the Corridor Commission and plans are underway to improve access points, portages, and information about the river. While present pollution levels allow only recreational fishing in the Blackstone River, there are plans underway to enhance the fishery on the river, and there are strong constituencies working to build support for water quality improvement.


[ image by Jim McElholm-Single Source Inc. ] 		Both Rhode Island and Massachusetts have developed State Heritage Parks in the Blackstone River Valley.

In doing so, the states are working to improve the river’s water quality, to improve access to the river, and to provide information about the corridor, its history and its many cultural and natural resources. Both states own and manage significant parcels of riverfront land. RI DEM has over 200 acres and controls about 4 miles of the riverbank in Lincoln and another 4 miles in Cumberland. The holding includes 3 ½ miles of river and canal with an intact towpath. MA DCR owns 1000 acres in Northbridge and Uxbridge, which form the core of its Heritage State Park and includes canal and towpath segments, canal lock remnants and several miles of riverfront property with public access.

Walking

Take a hike at one of the many state parks in the Corridor or enjoy a stroll along one of the sections of towpath at River Bend Farm in Uxbridge, MA or Blackstone River State Park in Lincoln, RI. Click here for a listing of recreation sites in the Valley that provides other opportunities for walking and hiking.

Pick up a self-guided Walking Tour of one of the communities in the Corridor and learn more about the history of the Valley and its many unique places. Walking Tour brochures can be picked up at any of the Visitor Centers throughout the Valley.

Check the Calendar of Events for guided walks by National Park Service Rangers and other programs offered by Corridor Staff, Partners and Volunteers in Parks.

River

Take a walk or have a picnic along the Blackstone River or Canal at River Bend Farm in Uxbridge, MA or Blackstone River State Park in Lincoln, RI.

Take a ride on the Blackstone Valley Explorer - a 49 passenger boat that docks at several different places along the river and offers narrated and special tours of the Blackstone River.

Enjoy a paddle down the river in a canoe or kayak. Click here for more information for getting on the river or join the Paddle Club and enjoy an evening on the River with other paddlers.

Biking

The Blackstone River Bikeway is currently a work in progress.When completed, this mostly off-road bikeway will extend from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI, with much of the path following the Blackstone River.

The bikeway will provide not only recreation, but an alternative means of transportation for valley residents and will eventually tie into a larger regional trail network that is being planned throughout local communities.

Currently, a 7mile stretch along the Blackstone River in Lincoln and Cumberland, Rhode Island is open and available for recreational use. The rest of the bikeway in Rhode Island is in various stages of design and construction and the entire bikeway from Pawtucket to the Massachusetts border in North Smithfield, RI is scheduled to be completed within the next few years. For directions to parking areas, click here.

You can also take a bicycle tour in Rhode Island by downloading the Blackstone Valley Bicycle Tour (PDF: 1.78MB / 2 pages).

In Massachusetts, the bikeway is currently in various stages of planning, design and construction. A section of the bikeway has been completed in Millbury and a southern section in Millville and Uxbridge is currently being designed. Bikers who like riding along trails can trace part of the path of the planned bikeway by riding along the Southern New England Trunkline Trail within the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park.

For more information on the Bikeway and on biking in the Valley, click here, or you can download the Blackstone River Bikeway brochure and maps below:

Blackstone River Bikeway Brochure
(PDF: 209KB / 2 pages)

RI Map
(PDF: 750KB / 1 page)

MA Map
(PDF: 773KB / 1 page)

Inset Map
(PDF: 126KB / 1 page)

For a listing of Recreation Sites in the Corridor click here.

You can also get more information about recreational opportunities throughout the Corridor by visiting the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council or the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce.

 

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