Trail to Goat Hill Lock, Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park

Walking, Biking and Enjoying the River
With its unusual combination of historic, cultural and natural resources, the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor possesses tremendous opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, boating, bicycling, fishing and other activities. These resources are especially important as the Corridor cuts through some of the most densely populated areas of New England.

The Blackstone River and Canal are already recreational focal points. Residents take advantage of 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 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 and portages. While present pollution levels allow only recreational fishing in the Blackstone River, there are strong constituencies working to build support for water quality improvement.

Blackstone River Bikeway, Lincoln, RI

Both Rhode Island and Massachusetts have developed State 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.

RI DEM currently maintains about 8 miles of riverfront land that now carries the Blackstone River Bikeway. 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 recreational sites in Rhode Island and Massachusetts 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.

Blackstone Valley Explorer

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 these links 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. Currently, a 7-mile stretch along the Blackstone River in Lincoln and Cumberland, Rhode Island and a 2-mile stretch in Millbury, Massachusetts are open and available for recreational use.

For more on the Bikeway, click here.