Trail Map, Parking & Guidelines
Overview
The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail extends from the Lowell/Chelmsford line near Cross Point and Rt. 3, through Chelmsford Center, to the intersection of Route 27 and Route 225 in Westford. The trail continues south through Carlisle, Acton, Concord, and Sudbury passing historical sites and conservation land. It traverses woods, wetlands, open fields, recreational areas, and shopping areas. The trail has a 10-foot wide pavement with a 2-foot wide packed shoulder on each side. The trail is 20 miles long from Lowell to the current terminus at the crossing with the Mass Central Rail Trail just north of Route 20 in Sudbury. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on the trail; motorized vehicles are not allowed.
Blog Posts and News
Parking & Maps
Authorized parking for the trail is available at the following locations:
Lowell
Crosspoint Towers, 900 Chelmsford St., Lowell (Weekends and holidays only)
Chelmsford
Stop & Shop lot, 299 Chelmsford St., Chelmsford
Chelmsford Center for the Arts, 1A North Rd. (Rt. 4), Chelmsford
Chelmsford Center Artwalk, Cushing Place, Chelmsford
(public restrooms, seasonal)
Byam School (off school hours), 25 Maple Rd., Chelmsford
Town Land at Heart/Baptist Pond, 2 Pond St., Chelmsford
(public restrooms, seasonal)
Acton
Across from 1000 Main St. (Rte. 27), Acton (public restrooms)
NARA Park, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton (public restrooms)
Goulds’ Plaza (behind Donelan’s Supermarket) at 248 Great Rd. (Rte. 2A), Acton (public restrooms, seasonal)
Patriot Square, 179 Great Road, across from Pedal Power Bike and Ski, Acton
(Weekends and holidays only)
One accessible parking space behind Pedal Power Bike and Ski, 176 Great Rd, Acton
(public restroom during store hours)
Ice House Pond, 120 Concord Rd., Acton
Concord
Gerow Park, 369 Commonwealth Ave., Concord (public restrooms, seasonal)
West Concord Center, trail parking near Nashoba Brook, Concord (accessible parking)
One accessible parking space near Williams Rd., Concord
Sudbury
Davis Field, 195 North Rd. (Rte. 117), Sudbury (public restroom, seasonal)
Broadacres Farm/Morse Road, 62 Morse Rd., Sudbury (public restroom)
Parkinson Field, 42-44 Hudson Rd., Sudbury (public restroom, seasonal)
Union Ave. (near the Diamond Crossing, six spaces and two accessible spaces), Sudbury (public restroom)
View Trail Maps
Phase 1 (6.8 miles) in Lowell, Chelmsford, and Westford (opened 2009) and Phase 2A (4.9 miles) in Westford, Carlisle, and Acton (opened 2018).
Phase 2B (the bridge over Route 2 - .88 miles) & 2C (2.5 miles) in Concord
Phase 2D Sudbury from the Sudbury/Concord line to the MassCentral Rail Trail (4.4 miles).
FAQs & Trail Etiquette
Trail Rules
- Yield to Pedestrians
- Keep Right, Pass Left
- Give Audible Signal When Passing
- Do Not Block Trail
- Wear Helmets
- Leash Pets, Remove Waste
- No Littering – Carry In, Carry Out
- Respect Property Adjacent to the Trail
- In case of emergency, dial 911.
Rail Trail Facilities
Where is parking available?
Authorized parking for the trail is available at the following locations:
Lowell Parking
Crosspoint Towers, 900 Chelmsford St. (Weekends and holidays Only)
Chelmsford Parking
Stop & Shop lot, 299 Chelmsford St., Chelmsford
Chelmsford Center for the Arts, 1A North Rd. (Rt. 4), Chelmsford
Chelmsford Center Artwalk, Cushing Place, Chelmsford (public restrooms, seasonal)
Municipal lot behind Santander Bank, 5 Billerica Rd (Rt. 129), Chelmsford
Byam School (off school hours), 25 Maple Rd, Chelmsford
Town Land at Heart/Baptist Pond, 2 Pond St., Chelmsford (public restrooms, seasonal)
Acton Parking
Across from 1000 Main Street (Rte. 27), Acton
NARA Park off Rte. 27, Acton (public restrooms, seasonal)
At Goulds’ Plaza (behind Donelan’s Supermarket) on Great Road (Rte. 2A), Acton (public restrooms, seasonal)
Patriot Square, 179 Great Road across from Pedal Power Bike and Ski, Acton (Weekends and holidays only) (public restroom at Pedal Power during business hours)
Ice House Pond, 120 Concord Road, Acton
Concord Parking
Gerow Park, 369 Commonwealth Ave, Concord (public restrooms, seasonal)
West Concord Center, trail parking near Nashoba Brook, Concord
One handicap parking space near Williams Road, Concord
Sudbury Parking
Davis Field, 195 North Road (Rte. 117)
Broadacres Farm/Morse Road, 62 Morse Road
Parkinson Field, 42-44 Hudson Road
Union Ave., (near the Diamond Crossing, six spaces and two accessible spaces), Sudbury
Are there public restrooms along the trail?
- Chelmsford Center Artwalk, Cushing Place, Chelmsford (seasonal)
- Town Land (Heart Pond), 2 Pond St., Chelmsford (seasonal)
- Town Offices, 50 Billerica Rd., Chelmsford (M-F, except holidays)
- Adams Public Library, 25 Boston Rd., Chelmsford (M-Sa, except holidays)
- North Acton Parking lot (seasonal)
- NARA Park (seasonal)
- Near Donelan’s Parking (seasonal)
- Pedal Power (during business hours)
- Gerow Park (seasonal)
In addition, some businesses welcome use of their restroom facilities. Look for posted signs on the business.
Who do I contact in the case of a non-emergency public safety issue?
Chelmsford:
- Call the police dispatch number: 978-256-2521
- Use the “Report a Concern” feature on the Town of Chelmsford Home page at http://ma-chelmsford.civicplus.com/524/SeeClickFix and include a picture if possible.
Westford:
- Westford Police business number: 978-692-2161
- Jim Duane, Director
- Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Department
- jduane@westfordma.gov
- http://westfordma.gov/
- 978 692 5532
Carlisle:
- carlisletrails@comcast.net
- 978-369-6156
- Acton:
- Highway Department: highway@acton-ma.gov
Concord:
- Concord Public Works: 978-318-3220
Who do I contact in the case of a maintenance issue?
Chelmsford:
- Use the “Report a Concern” feature on the Town of Chelmsford Home page at http://ma-chelmsford.civicplus.com/524/SeeClickFix and include a picture if possible.
- Contact the Chelmsford Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) http://www.townofchelmsford.us/Bicycle.cfm
Westford:
- Jim Duane, Director Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Department jduane@westfordma.gov
- http://westfordma.gov/
- 978 692 5532
Carlisle:
- carlisletrails@comcast.net
- 978-369-6156
Acton:
- Highway Department: highway@acton-ma.gov
Concord:
- Concord Public Works: 978-318-3220
Rail Trail Guidelines
Which side of the trail are people supposed to walk on?
Unlike on the roads, all trail users should keep to the right-hand side of the trail.
Are there trail rules?
Trail rules are:
- Yield to Pedestrians
- Keep Right, Pass Left
- Give Audible Signal When Passing
- Do Not Block Trail
- Wear Helmets
- Look before passing
- Leash Pets, Remove Waste
- No Littering – Carry In, Carry Out
- Respect Property Adjacent to the Trail
- In case of emergency, dial 911.
Are e-bikes allowed on the trail?
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on the trail.
Can I ride my adaptive bicycle or motorized wheelchair on the trail?
Yes. Motorized assistive devices (e.g., wheelchairs, “scooters”, etc) specifically designed for use by handicapped/disabled persons are allowed on the trail. A safety flag attached to such a device is recommended for increased visibility. It should have a quiet electric motor to minimize disturbances to wildlife.
Are skateboards allowed on the trail?
Yes.
How do I get approval for an organized activity on the trail?
If you expect fewer than 25 people for your event, you don’t need to do anything special. If you expect to have 25 people or more participating, please fill out the event registration form and submit it as instructed on the form. The form is used to ensure event organizers have adequately planned for the event, to reduce the chance that multiple large events will be held on the same section of trail on the same day, and to provide a consistent set of questions and guidance for all municipalities impacted by the event. When you have received approval for your large event, please send an informational email to: info@brucefreemanrailtrail.org
Who maintains the trail?
The Towns have primary responsibility for maintaining the rail trail. The Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail will assist the Towns with maintenance. For information about how you can help with maintenance, please contact: info@brucefreemanrailtrail.org