LOWELL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK; CANALWALK

LOWELL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK; CANALWALK:

MERRIMACK RIVER TRAIL; LOWELL SECTIONS:

LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Last Updated: August 02, 2023

Length: Lowell NHP; Canalwalk; Inner Loop; 2.4 mile Loop

Lowell NHP; Canalwalk; Outer Loop [Includes; Merrimack River Trail; Lowell Riverwalk & South Shore]; 8 mile Loop

Northern Canal Walkway; 1.7 miles

Merrimack River Trail: Vandenberg Esplanade; 1.4 miles

Merrimack River Trail: Northeast Shore; 1.7 miles

Merrimack River Trail: Lowell Riverwalk; 1.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy. Mostly flat, paved, stone, brick & boardwalk trails.

Directions:

From I-495 take exit 89C to the Lowell Connector. Take exit 5B to Thorndike St and continue along Dutton St. Turn right on Canal St. Pass by the old parking lot on your left, then take your first left to access the Lowell NHP Visitor Center parking garage on your right.

Lowell National Historical Park encompasses the historical buildings, canals and history of Lowell during the rise of the Industrial Revolution. A great way to take in all this history is via the Canalwalk, a path that traverses Lowell alongside its many intersecting canals.

I've created 2 Loop Routes; The Lowell NHP; Canalwalk; Inner Loop, which focuses around the Visitor Center area and the much longer, Lowell NHP; Canalwalk; Outer Loop, which includes part of the Inner Loop, along with the Merrimack River Trail; Lowell Riverwalk, Northern Canal, Merrimack River Trail; South Shore and other canals in greater Lowell. From this Loop you can also access the Northern Canal Walkway, Merrimack River Trail; Northeast Shore, Merrimack River Trail; Vandenberg Esplanade and the Concord River Greenway.

For more information check out; LOWELL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK , Merrimack River Trail and Concord River Greenway .

LOWELL NHP; CANALWALK; INNER LOOP:

Starting from the *Lowell NHP Visitor Center; The Lowell NHP Canalwalk crosses Canal St next to Dutton St.

Note; The Visitor Center may be accessed from the northern end of the old parking lot. Restrooms are available along with Maps. Blue Canalwalk signs are located along the trail to help guide you through the city.

Start your tour by traveling left from the intersection of Canal & Dutton Streets along the paved Lowell NHP Canalwalk. The trail travels South alongside the Merrimack Canal bringing you to the Swamp Locks Gatehouse and an overlook of the Swamp Locks, where the Merrimack & Pawtucket Canals meet. Informational signboards are located all along the route. Take a right along an old RR bridge across the canal and travel next to the Trolley tracks.

Note; A Trolley Tour through the Park is available. See; TOURS .

The trail then crosses another old RR bridge where the Pawtucket, Lower Pawtucket, Western, Merrimack & Hamilton Canals all meet before turning East alongside the Hamilton Canal. Pass by an old Lock before coming to Canal & Jackson Streets at 0.3 miles.

Note; Head left across the Hamilton Canal to the short crushed gravel Point Park Loop Trail on your left which takes you out to Point Park, then back along the canal to the opposite side of the Swamp Locks. Come to Canal St. Take a quick left to check out the Swamp Locks, then right back across the canal to Canal & Jackson Streets to complete your Loop.

From Canal & Jackson Streets head left alongside Jackson St past the converted Appleton & Hamilton Mills. The paved trail ends and briefly follows a sidewalk out to Central St.

Note; Just before Central St, just past the last brick mill building on your left, turn left to a small courtyard w/black iron fencing. Here your find a nice view of the Hamilton Canal as it travels between the 2 old mill buildings. The Hamilton Wasteway Gatehouse is also located here. This is where the Hamilton Canal enters the Lower Pawtucket Canal.

Come to Central St after 1.1 miles [includes all the side trips]. Head left to a cross-walk then continue left on-road (side-walk available) until you reach the Lower Pawtucket Canal.

Note; Across the street a set of stairs lead down to the brick Canalway Path which follows the North Side of the Lower Pawtucket Canal West. Path was closed in 2023. This path soon turns right alongside a building bringing you to a small courtyard then out to Market St. From here you can Loop back on-road to the *Lowell NHP Visitor Center parking garage for a shorter Loop.

Note; Right (East) the path along the South Side of the Lower Pawtucket Canal was closed in 2023 (washout or re-building?)

Cross over the canal and travel right (East) down a set of stairs to the paved Canalway Path along the North Side of the Lower Pawtucket Canal.

Note; If biking and you don't wish to carry your bike down the stairs continue straight to *Market Street and turn right. Spot a tunnel through the building that will take you out to the Eastern Canal & *bridge.

The trail turns left along the Eastern Canal bringing you to a *bridge.

Note; Look left to spot a tunnel that travels underneath the building to *Market Street.

Cross the bridge and head right to an overlook of the Lower Locks Gatehouse at 1.3 miles. Picnic tables. Continue East along a granite walkway between Middlesex Community College and North Side of the Lower Pawtucket Canal. This brings you to a covered walkway and an overlook of the Concord River. Across the river is the Concord River Greenway. A Map Board is located here.

Note; Travel right across the covered walkway over the Lower Pawtucket Canal to another overlook of the Concord River. Head right down a ramp to a granite path where you can check out the set of 2 Locks.

After checking out the Locks travel North between Middlesex Community College and the Concord River along a brick path out to E Merrimack St.

Note; To access the Concord River Greenway turn right and cross the Concord River to Davidson St. Head right down Davidson St to the trailhead on your right. Map Board.

Turn right to a cross-walk over E Merrimack St and continue left on-road (sidewalk available) to the the Eastern Canal.

Note; Left, along the brick Canalway Path, returns you South alongside the RR tracks to the Lower Locks Gatehouse.

Head right along the brick pathway and RR tracks to an old RR bridge across the Eastern Canal. Head right between the canal on your right and the Jack Kerouac Commemorative Park to your left. Across the canal are the Massachusetts Mills. The canal & trail turns left bringing you out to Bridge St. Caution; No Cross-walk. Here you'll need to detour left through the park, then right to a cross-walk over Bridge St and right back to the Eastern Canal and Trolley tracks. Continue left between the RR tracks and Eastern Canal. After 1.9 miles you'll come to the entrance for the **Boott Cotton Mills Museum. Across the street is Boarding House Park.

Note; Right takes you along the cobblestone entrance through the Boott Cotton Mills courtyard. Continue straight across the RR tracks, then through an open arch out to the Merrimack River Trail; Lowell Riverwalk [See; Merrimack River Trail; Lowell Riverwalk below].

Continue straight past Boarding House Park and the Working People Exhibit where the canal bears left and come to the Merrimack Waste Weir (right out to the Merrimack River). Cross the Trolley tracks and follow the Merrimack Canal left out to Father Morissette Blvd. Cross over to the wide trail alongside the canal past Lowell High School and through Lucy Larcom Park to Merrimack St. Head right over the canal to the 1848 Moody Street Feeder Gatehouse. Cross Merrimack St to a small plaza where the canal is now covered over by brick. Continue straight past the old B&M Switcher Locomotive & RR car and NATIONAL STREETCAR MUSEUM (this is where the Trolley Tours originate). Pass through Mack Plaza, where the canal is open again, to Market St. Cross to a narrow path between the canal & Visitor Center, then left back to *Lowell NHP Visitor Center after a 2.4 mile Loop.

LOWELL NHP; CANALWALK; OUTER LOOP:

Starting from the *Lowell NHP Visitor Center; The Visitor Center has restrooms along with Maps. Blue Canalwalk signs are located along the trail to help guide you through the city. From the rear of the Visitor Center head West along the wide brick path to the Merrimack Canal. Here the narrow brick Lowell NHP Canalwalk travels South alongside the Merrimack Canal where it crosses Canal St (Park entrance). The trail widens bringing you to the Swamp Locks Gatehouse and an overlook of the Swamp Locks, where the Merrimack & Pawtucket Canals meet. Informational signboards are located all along the route. Take a right along an old RR bridge across the canal and travel next to the Trolley tracks.

Note; A Trolley Tour through the Park is available. See; TOURS .

The Trail then crosses another old RR bridge where the Pawtucket, Lower Pawtucket, Western, Merrimack & Hamilton Canals all meet before turning East alongside the Hamilton Canal. Pass by an old Lock before coming to Canal & Jackson Streets at 0.4 miles.

Note; Head left across the Hamilton Canal to the short crushed gravel Point Park Loop Trail on your left which takes you out to Point Park, then back along the canal to the opposite side of the Swamp Locks. Come to Canal St. Take a quick left to check out the Swamp Locks, then right back across the canal to Canal & Jackson Streets to complete your 0.3 mile Loop.

From Canal & Jackson Streets head left alongside Jackson St past the converted Appleton & Hamilton Mills. The paved trail ends and briefly follows a sidewalk out to Central St.

Note; Just before Central St, just past the last brick mill building on your left, turn left to a small courtyard w/black iron fencing. Here your find a nice view of the Hamilton Canal as it travels between the 2 old mill buildings. The Hamilton Wasteway Gatehouse is also located here. This is where the Hamilton Canal enters the Lower Pawtucket Canal.

Come to Central St after 1.1 miles [includes all the side trips]. Head left to a cross-walk then continue left on-road (side-walk available) until you reach the Lower Pawtucket Canal.

Note; Across the street a set of stairs lead down to the brick Canalway Path which follows the North Side of the Lower Pawtucket Canal West. Path was closed in 2023. This path soon turns right alongside a building bringing you to a small courtyard then out to Market St. From here you can Loop back on-road to the *Lowell NHP Visitor Center parking garage for a shorter Loop.

Note; Right (East) the path along the South Side of the Lower Pawtucket Canal was closed in 2023 (washout or re-building?)

Cross over the canal and travel right (East) down a set of stairs to the paved Canalway Path along the North Side of the Lower Pawtucket Canal.

The trail turns left along the Eastern Canal bringing you to a *bridge.

Note; Look left to spot a tunnel that travels underneath the building to *Market Street.

Note; Travel right across the covered walkway over the Lower Pawtucket Canal to another overlook of the Concord River. Head right down a ramp to a granite path where you can check out the set of 2 Locks.

After checking out the Locks travel North between Middlesex Community College and the Concord River along a brick path out to E Merrimack St. Turn right and cross the Concord River to Davidson St.

Note; To access the Concord River Greenway head right down Davidson St to the start of the trailhead on your right. Map Board.

Continue straight to a cross-walk at 1.6 miles. Cross E Merrimack St and continue straight past the *Lowell Memorial Auditorium to a bridge over the Concord River.

Note; This is the start of the Merrimack River Trail; Lowell Riverwalk.

Cross the pedestrian bridge over the Concord River and travel right along a brick path between the river and mill buildings. Come to the confluence of the Concord & Merrimack Rivers where a cantilevered boardwalk takes you left (West), above the Merrimack River, down to a cement cantilevered trail that travels underneath the Bridge Street bridge. The trail travels between the brick mill buildings and river. Come to a ramp at 2 miles.

Note; Left up this ramp will take you through a brick arch and across some old RR tracks to the cobblestone Boott Cotton Mills courtyard. Continue straight past the Boot Mill Museum and across the Trolley tracks to the Foot of John St. Here you can access the Lowell NHP; Canalwalk; Inner Loop. Across the street is Boarding House Park.

Continuing along the trail you cross the Eastern Canal Wasteway (where the canal empties into the Merrimack River). Here the trail is no longer cantilevered. Next, pass by a promenade overlooking the river before coming to an intersection at 2.4 miles.

Note; Left takes you up along the Western Canal Wasteway, where the canal empties into the Merrimack River. Here you'll find a park with picnic tables behind the Tsongas Center & Arena.

You pass by the site of the old Merrimack Mill where you'll find three wooden covered water tunnels? Cross over the Western Canal Wasteway before passing by a grassy expanse between the Lawrence Mills. The trail then passes by a large brick smokestack before heading between the river and mill and traveling underneath the iron Ouelette Bridge. This brings you to an intersection at 2.7 miles.

Note; You may access the Merrimack River Trail; Northeast Shore by turning left up to Aiken St. Turn left again and follow the pedestrian path across the Ouelette Bridge to the VFW Highway. Turn right and cross Aiken St to reach an access path down to the trail after 0.3 miles. [See; Merrimack River Trail; Northeast Shore Below]

Continuing right the trail travels around the backside of LeLacheur Stadium and past UMass Lowell; North Campus heading South. This brings you up to a 9-11 Memorial overlooking the discharge canal for a hydroelectric plant and Pawtucket Falls. The trail heads out to Pawtucket St where you'll find a brick cross-walk.

Note; To access the Northern Canal and Northern Canal Walkway (Bikes not allowed) use the crosswalk and head right to a paved path on your left which leads down to the Northern Canal at 3 miles. If you continue following my route we will Loop back to this canal. [See; Northern Canal Walkway Below]

Head right on-road (wide shoulder) up Pawtucket St, crossing a bridge (double-wide sidewalk) over the Northern Canal to the intersection of Pawtucket St & Father Morissette Blvd. The double-wide sidewalk continues alongside Pawtucket St, past an overlook, to the University Ave Bridge at 3.1 miles. Another overlook of the Northern Canal here.

Note; The Father Morissette Blvd BIKE LANE travels East along the Southern Side of the Northern Canal to Arcand Dr.

Continue South along Pawtucket St on-road (sidewalk available) to School St. Turn right along School St and you'll come to the Northern Canal at 3.5 miles.

Note; On your right is where the Northern Canal Walkway (Bikes not allowed) emerges. [See; Northern Canal Walkway Below]

A cross-light here takes you over School St to the ***Northern Canal Gatehouse.

Note; A white gate leads down to an overlook of the Pawtucket Dam & Falls, as well as, a walkway around a Lock and the gatehouse. To your left is the 1847 Gatekeepers House.

Note; You may access the Merrimack River Trail: Vandenberg Esplanade along the North Side of the river by following the pedestrian path across the river to Route 113. [See; Merrimack River Trail: Vandenberg Esplanade Below]

From the ***Northern Canal Gatehouse; Travel left East on-road (sidewalk available) back to Pawtucket St. Turn right (South) on-road (narrow paved path/sidewalk) and travel down Pawtucket St to the mouth of the **Pawtucket Canal at 3.8 miles.

Note; We will Loop back to the mouth of the **Pawtucket Canal.

Continue along Pawtucket St. Just past a small marina will be two granite posts and the paved Merrimack River Trail; South Shore at 3.8 miles. Picnic tables located here in Sheehy Memorial Park. The trail travels alongside the river passing by the Pawtucket Street parking lot. The trail then briefly utilizes the sidewalk along Pawtucket St before returning along the rivers edge. You reach the current end of the trail after 4.4 miles. Follow the paved trail as it Loops back along the road. Take your second right out to Pawtucket St to a cross-light over Pawtucket St. Travel East up Broadway St along a BIKE LANE passing by the UMass South Campus. Cross Wilder St (BIKE SHARROWS). When you reach the Pawtucket Canal at 5 miles don't cross it.

Note; Future plans call constructing a trail East alongside the Pawtucket Canal. Nothing started as of 2023.

Instead turn left (North) along a stone-dust path and travel through Francis Gate Park. This brings you to the 1852 Lock & Guardhouse. Very scenic. Porto-Potty located here. After checking out the Lock continue through the well shaded park along the paved trail and canal. Exit the park at Pawtucket St at 5.3 miles and head right back across the **Pawtucket Canal.

From the **Pawtucket Canal return on-road (narrow paved path/sidewalk available) North back along Pawtucket St. When you cross University Ave/Merrimack St you pick up a BIKE LANE, however, you'll need to cross over Pawtucket St here and continue right to cross over the Pawtucket Street Bridge.

Note; If you wish to bypass the Canalwalk along the Northern Canal you may elect to follow the BIKE LANE to the Father Morissette Blvd BIKE LANE which travels along the Southern Side of the Northern Canal to the Western Canal.

After crossing over the Pawtucket Street Bridge you'll need to cross back over the road and follow the paved path down to the Northern Canal at 6 miles.

Note; Right (West) is the start of the Northern Canal Walkway (Bikes not allowed). [See; Northern Canal Walkway Below]

Heading left (East) along the Northern Side of the Northern Canal the paved Canalwalk passes by the large brick Wannalancit Mill (formerly the Suffolk Mills) which also house the Suffolk Mill Turbine Exhibit. Next comes the Tremont Gatehouse & Powerhouse at 6.3 miles. This is where the Northern Canal enters the Western Canal. Cross over the canal and you'll come to the Suffolk Mill Trolley Stop. Turn left and follow the narrow paved path North along the Western Canal Wasteway to Hall St. You'll need to turn left and cross the canal to pick up the trail as it continues North alongside the canal to Perkins St. Again, turn right and cross back over the canal along a pedestrian bridge. This will bring you to the west side of the Tsongas Center Arena.

Note; Left takes you down to a park overlooking the Merrimack River and access to the Merrimack River Trail; Lowell Riverwalk See Below.

Turn right following the paved path out to Hall St and cross. Turn left then right along the paved path that travels along a parking lot. This will return you to Father Morrisette Blvd. You'll need to head right to return to the Western Canal, however, there is no cross-light available so you'll need to utilize the cross-light here, then travel right (West) via a sidewalk back to the Western Canal after 6.9 miles. Head left (South) along the Eastern Side the Western Canal via a paved/brick pathway. When you come to Merrimack St switch to the Western Side of the canal. Cross Market St and continue along Suffolk St which takes you past the brick lined Ecumenical Plaza. Cross Jefferson St where a ramp leads down to a path alongside the canal (If biking continue straight along the sidewalk as the lower path ends at a stairway). Cross Broadway St where the paved trail is now separated from Suffolk St. Come to Dutton St at 7.6 miles. Head right alongside Dutton St, crossing Fletcher St to a cross-light over busy Thorndike St. Continue straight along Jackson St and return to the old RR bridge where the Pawtucket, Lower Pawtucket, Western, Merrimack & Hamilton Canals all meet. Head North across the bridge, passing by the Trolley tracks, where you'll cross the 2nd old RR bridge returning to the Swamp Locks Gatehouse and an overlook of the Swamp Locks, where the Merrimack & Pawtucket Canals meet. Retrace the trail North returning to the *Lowell NHP Visitor Center after an 8 mile Loop.

MERRIMACK RIVER TRAIL; LOWELL RIVERWALK:

Starting from the *Lowell Memorial Auditorium;

Note; Heading South over E Merrimack St via a cross-walk, then turning right to Davidson St and left on Davidson St will bring you to the start of the Concord River Greenway on your right. Map Board.

Travel past the Lowell Memorial Auditorium to a pedestrian bridge over the Concord River and travel right along a brick path between the river and mill buildings. Come to the confluence of the Concord & Merrimack Rivers where a cantilevered boardwalk takes you left (West), above the Merrimack River, down to a cement cantilevered trail that travels underneath the Bridge Street bridge. The trail travels between the brick mill buildings and river. Come to a ramp at 0.4 miles.

Note; Left up this ramp will take you through a brick arch and across some old RR tracks to the cobblestone Boott Cotton Mills courtyard. Continue straight past the Boot Mill Museum and across the Trolley tracks to the Foot of John St. Here you can access the Lowell NHP; Canalwalk; Inner Loop. Across the street is Boarding House Park.

Note; Left takes you up along the Western Canal Wasteway, where the canal empties into the Merrimack River. Here you'll find a park with picnic tables behind the Tsongas Center & Arena.

Note; You may access the Merrimack River Trail; Northeast Shore by turning left up to Aiken St. Turn left again and follow the pedestrian path across the Ouelette Bridge to the VFW Highway. Turn right and cross Aiken St to reach an access path down to the trail after 0.3 miles. [See; Merrimack River Trail; Northeast Shore Below]

Note; To access the Northern Canal and Northern Canal Walkway (Bikes not allowed) use the crosswalk and head right to a paved path on your left which leads down to the Northern Canal at 1.4 miles. If you continue following my route we will Loop back to this canal. [See; Northern Canal Walkway Below]

Head right on-road (wide shoulder) up Pawtucket St, crossing a bridge (double-wide sidewalk) over the Northern Canal to the intersection of Pawtucket St & Father Morissette Blvd. The double-wide sidewalk continues alongside Pawtucket St, past an overlook, to the University Ave Bridge at 1.5 miles. Another overlook of the Northern Canal here.

Note; The Father Morissette Blvd BIKE LANE travels East along the Southern Side of the Northern Canal to Arcand Dr.

NORTHERN CANAL WALKWAY:

Finished in 1847, the Northern Canal runs along the Merrimack River separated by a 36 foot high granite wall later named the "Great River Wall." The Northern Canal Walkway (which includes the Great River Wall) provides breathtaking views of the Merrimack River, the canal and the surrounding areas. However, access to the Northern Canal Walkway is only available when the flow rate in the Merrimack River is under 3500 cubic feet per second.

Note; The causeway section of the Northern Canal is open from May 15-October 15. Bikes not allowed.

Starting from the Northern Canal just below Pawtucket Street; Pass through the gate where a boardwalk takes you underneath the Pawtucket St Bridge. Cross over the Power Canal that feeds the Hydroelectric Plant to your right.

Next travel along a causeway that runs between the canal and the Merrimack River. Note how dry the riverbed is here as most of the water is diverted for the canals upstream. After less then 0.1 miles the trail surface consists of granite blocks before returning to cement. Another short granite block section before you enter a narrow island trail at 0.3 miles that consists of stone-dust. This brings you to a ramp that leads up to the Mammoth Road/School Street Bridge. A cross-light to your left will take you across the road to the *** Northern Canal Gatehouse after 1.7 miles. A white gate leads down to an overlook of the Pawtucket Dam & Falls, as well as, a walkway around a lock and the gatehouse. To your left is the 1847 Gatekeepers House.

Note; You may access the Merrimack River Trail: Vandenberg Esplanade along the north side of the river by following the pedestrian path across the river to Route 113. [See; Merrimack River Trail: Vandenberg Esplanade Below]

Note; To continue along the Canalwalk, See; Lowell NHP Canalwalk *** Northern Canal Gatehouse Above.

MERRIMACK RIVER TRAIL; NORTHEAST SHORE:

Starting from the Ouelette Bridge; You can access the Ouelette Bridge from the South Side of the river via the Merrimack River Trail; Lowell Riverwalk See Above. From the North Side of the river you can park at the Island Street parking lot (next to sports fields). Follow Island St out to VFW Hwy where you can cross over to a spur trail down to the trail.

Heading Northwest; The paved Merrimack River Trail; Northeast Shore travels alongside the river with unobstructed views. If you look past the bend in the river you'll see the Power Canal flowing from the Hydroelectric Plant and Pawtucket Falls to the right of that. The trail ends after 0.3 miles just before a river crossing.

Heading left Southeast; The open paved Merrimack River Trail; Northeast Shore travels alongside the river with mostly unobstructed views. Good views of the Lawrence Mills, Tsongas Arena and Boott Cotton Mills across the river where the Lowell Riverwalk runs. Travel underneath the Bridge Street bridge where you'll find an access path up to the bridge. Travel underneath the Hunts Falls Bridge where the trail is more isolated. The trail then veers left up to the VFW Highway (Route 110) where it currently ends after 0.7 miles.

MERRIMACK RIVER TRAIL; VANDENBERG ESPLANADE:

Starting from the Southern Route 113 parking lot; The paved Merrimack River Trail: Vandenberg Esplanade passes here by the boat ramp.

Note; Heading South the trail travels between the Merrimack River and parkland, traveling underneath Rourke Bridge before ending after 0.3 miles at Route 113.

Heading North the trail travels around the Lowell UMass Boathouse and between the Merrimack River and narrow corridor of parkland before coming to the Northern Route 113 parking lot after 0.6 miles. Pass by the Sampas Pavilion and restrooms for Rynne Beach where the paved trail ends.

Note; The next section of the Esplanade continuing north is planned for an upgrade. Nothing started as of Aug 2023.

A sidewalk continues north alongside Route 113 up to the Mammoth Road/School St Bridge at 1.1 miles.

Note; If you travel right across the Mammoth Road/School St Bridge you can access the Lowell NHP Canalwalk and *** Northern Canal Gatehouse. See Above.

CLICK HERE FOR LOWELL NHP CANALWALK MAP

CLICK HERE FOR LOWELL NHP; CANALWALK; INNER LOOP MAP

CLICK HERE FOR LOWELL NHP; CANALWALK; OUTER LOOP MAP

CLICK HERE FOR MERRIMACK RIVER TRAIL MAP

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