The Blackstone River Multi-Use Trail is a beautiful way to explore the Blackstone Valley, whether by bike or on foot and offers something for everyone to enjoy. With over 24 miles already constructed, the vision is for it to extend 48 miles from downtown Worcester, MA, to India Point Park in Providence, RI. From there, it connects with the existing East Bay Bike Path and continues to Bristol, RI, for additional 14.5 miles. When completed, the Blackstone River Bikeway will serve as an alternate mode of transportation for commuters as well as the region’s premier recreational resource, connecting New England’s second and third largest cities.

Use our interactive map to navigate to the 14 parking areas.

Worcester to Millbury south

Click Here for Our Interactive Map

Today, there are three completed sections of the Blackstone River Bikeway, totaling over 17 miles of off-road paved trails, with the remainder connecting the segments on marked, on-road routes.

Starting at the northern end of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, the Worcester, MA, to Millbury, MA, segment is 2.5 miles long, starting at the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center at Worcester (3 Paul Clancy Way). This stretch offers two bike repair stations, including one at the Heritage Center and another at the 1265 Millbury Street parking lot in Worcester.

Further south, another 3.5-mile paved segment from Uxbridge, MA, to Blackstone, MA, brings you to the Rhode Island border. It crosses eight bridges with beautiful views of the Blackstone River and Canal and includes a stop to view the historic Millville Lock. This segment also features a playground with a convenience store across the way offering refreshments and ice cream.

Another 11-mile segment just over the Massachusetts border leads from Woonsocket, RI, to Cumberland, RI, passes by four rolling dams, and takes you through the Blackstone River State Park with a stop at the Capt. Wilbur Kelly House & Transportation Museum in Lincoln.

There is a bicycle repair station behind the museum, and an additional one is located at the I-295 Visitor Center in Lincoln, where a paved trail leads down through the park to connect with the bikeway and the Kelly House.

What are you waiting for? Grab your bike and helmet, lace up those walking shoes and come experience history, enjoy nature, and discover local businesses throughout the Blackstone River Valley. And if you’d like a guided tour, the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Bikeway Ambassadors lead weekly guided rides from May through September. Dates are posted to the Blackstone Heritage Corridor events page.

REIMAGINING OUR FUTURE

The survey votes are in: your priority for the Corridor is the completion of the multi-use trail running all 48 miles from Worcester to Providence. Today, half the trail is already in place with 17 miles off-road and six miles of marked, on-road routes.  The existing sections show the great potential of a completed trail to attract visitors and improve the quality of life for people living nearby. The trail benefits everyone:  families, walkers, runners, hikers, cyclists, fishing enthusiasts, snowshoers, cross-country skiers. It also helps nearby businesses and communities with trail users visiting local retail outlets and special events.

Even before the national park, the biggest dream has been to complete the multi-use trail following the course of our beloved Blackstone River. The popularity of the finished sections, largely in Rhode Island, show how important this space is to all of us. And as we learned from recent years, outdoor spaces have become more vital than ever for our physical and mental health.

Too many miles are yet to be completed. It will take sustained advocacy by a passionate public, under the direction of a part-time dedicated coordinator, to motivate state governments to deliver on their promises to complete the project so the trail is complete. But it’s taken nearly three decades to complete the first 24 miles.

Our goals:

  • Hire a dedicated coordinator to lead public education and advocacy.
  • Create a dedicated online advocacy hub with web-based maps, news, and links to important information hubs.
  • Build citizen-led teams to support action on specific local sections and segments.
  • Expand our bike programs like our accessibility rides, youth education initiatives, and bike safety.
  • Add bike repair stations to the trail.

Learn more about supporting our Legacy Campaign here!

Bikeway Map

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