Free
South Yarmouth
Where to park
Cape Cod Rail Trail
A paved rail trail from South Yarmouth to South Wellfleet, with state and national parks to stop at along the way.
What should you know before you ride or walk it?
- Length
- about 25 miles
- Hours
- Sunrise to sunset
- Towns
- Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet
- Parking
- 9 official lots, 8 free
Be courteous of other path users. Keep right unless passing. Stop at all stop signs. Give a clear, audible signal before passing, and pass only when it's safe. Travel at 15 mph or less. Wear a helmet — required by law for children 16 and younger. Respect private property next to the trail. Carry in, carry out all trash and belongings.
Where can you park for the Cape Cod Rail Trail?
The official trailhead lots, west to east. Tap a pin or a card to match them up.
- Free
South Dennis
Route 134 Trailhead
- Free
Harwich
Headwaters Drive Lot
- Free
- Seasonal fee
Brewster
Nickerson State Park
Parking charged Memorial Day through October 31: $5 MA residents, $20 non-residents (DCR).
- Free
- Free
Eastham
Salt Pond Visitor Center
About half a mile from the Locust Road crossing of the trail (DCR).
- Free
Wellfleet
Marconi Area (National Seashore)
FreeSouth Wellfleet
LeCount Hollow Trailhead
Where can you stay near the trail?
Verified places to stay within 3 miles of an official lot. Book direct with the property.
Hotel
Wilder Inn South Wellfleet
Wellfleet · South Wellfleet · Drive only
Wilder Inn South Wellfleet — formerly the Wellfleet Motel & Lodge — is now part of Outset Collection by Hilton, Hilton's collection of independent, story-driven hotels. It's a family base with room to roam: an indoor pool with a hot tub, an outdoor pool, lawn games on the grass, and its own path onto the Cape Cod Rail Trail, with a bike rack waiting. Rooms are being renovated in stages; the new ones have two beds, a tiled glass shower, and a closet with a microwave and mini-fridge. Breakfast is on site at Harrigan's Café. You're just across from Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, a short walk from the Wellfleet Drive-In, and about five minutes from Marconi Beach. Free parking and Wi-Fi, and Hilton Honors members can book direct and earn points. Pets are not allowed.
- Bike trail access
- Family-friendly
- Hot tub
- Pool
What’s the trail like, town by town?
- Dennis
Cape Cod Rail Trail (Dennis)
Dennis is the western terminus of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a flat paved multi-use path on a former railroad bed that runs through Dennis toward Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, and Wellfleet. Smooth, accessible, and ideal for cycling, walking, and strollers.
Parking: Free trail parking at the Route 134 trailhead, 428 East-West Dennis Rd, South Dennis. The trail's western end continues into Yarmouth, with another free lot at the Stations Avenue trailhead (460 Station Ave, South Yarmouth).
See this section - Harwich
Cape Cod Rail Trail (Harwich)
The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a 25.5-mile paved DCR rail trail running from Yarmouth to South Wellfleet; its Harwich stretch passes the Headwaters Drive trailhead and links to Thompson's Field and the Hinckleys Pond preserve. The smooth asphalt path is ideal for cyclists, walkers, runners, inline skaters, and strollers, winding past ponds and woodlands.
Parking: Free trail parking at the Headwaters Drive lot, 55 Headwaters Dr, Harwich.
See this section - Brewster
Cape Cod Rail Trail (Brewster)
The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a paved, multi-use path running about 25 miles from Dennis to Wellfleet along a former railroad bed. Its Brewster stretch passes forests, cranberry bogs and ponds, and in East Brewster it connects to the 8 miles of paved trails inside Nickerson State Park. Flat and fully paved, it is ideal for family biking, walking, jogging and wheelchair use.
Parking: Free trail parking at the Route 137 lot, 500 Long Pond Rd, Brewster. Nickerson State Park (3488 Main St) also has trail parking, charged Memorial Day through October 31: $5 for Massachusetts residents, $20 for non-residents.
See this section - Orleans
Cape Cod Rail Trail (Orleans Section)
The Orleans stretch of the 25.5-mile paved Cape Cod Rail Trail, a former railroad bed managed by Massachusetts DCR running from South Yarmouth to South Wellfleet. The trail crosses Main Street in downtown Orleans near mile 13 and passes the Orleans rotary, with a parking lot off Old Colony Way putting riders steps from shops and dining. Flat, paved, and fully wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Dogs welcome on leash.
Parking: Free trail parking in Orleans Center, at the lot at 17 Old Colony Way.
See this section - Eastham
Cape Cod Rail Trail (Eastham)
The flat, paved Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through Eastham as part of a 25+ mile rail-trail spanning Dennis to Wellfleet. The Eastham stretch passes a large salt marsh and connects via Locust Road to the Nauset Bicycle Trail and the Salt Pond Visitor Center. Ideal for biking, walking, and strollers. Leashed dogs (6-ft leash) welcome.
Parking: Free parking at the Cape Cod National Seashore's Salt Pond Visitor Center, 50 Nauset Rd, Eastham — about half a mile from where Locust Road meets the trail.
See this section - Wellfleet
Cape Cod Rail Trail (Wellfleet Section)
The northern end of the paved Cape Cod Rail Trail reaches South Wellfleet at LeCount Hollow Road, following the former Old Colony Railroad bed through pine and oak woodland. A flat, easy, family-friendly path for biking, walking, and jogging, connecting Wellfleet south toward Eastham and beyond. Leashed dogs welcome.
Parking: Free trail parking at the LeCount Hollow Road trailhead, 29 LeCount Hollow Rd, South Wellfleet, and at the National Seashore's Marconi area.
See this section - Spur · Chatham
Old Colony Rail Trail (Chatham)
A paved 4.25-mile rail trail (the Chatham spur of the Cape Cod Rail Trail system) running from the Harwich bike rotary east into Chatham through pitch-pine woods and residential areas, with some on-road sections near downtown. Popular for biking, walking, and family rides.
Parking: Trailhead parking in Chatham near Depot Road; connects to Cape Cod Rail Trail at the Harwich bike rotary
See this section