Walking, hiking, and biking locations:​

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Riverfront Parks and Trails 

• Alliance Park (Amesbury). Trails. To learn more about the history of Alliance Park, click here.  

  • On Lower Main Street, you will find  ~6 parking spots.​

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• Deer Jump Reservation (Andover). There is a trail travelling the perimeter of the reservation. For more information, and history regarding Deer Jump, click here. 

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• The Merrimack River Trail (Andover) travels ~2 miles alongside the Merrimack.

  • Large parking lot with connection to trail at the back. 

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• Pines Recreation Area (Groveland)

  • Parking at the ramp is “by sticker only”. Stickers can be applied for at the Town hall.

  • Non-sticker parking is above the ramp gates. For more details about parking, launching, and using the Pines Recreation Area, click here. 

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• Bradford Rail Trail (Haverhill) On the south side of the Merrimack, 1.3 miles of former rail lines travel through Haverhill. The trail can be used for pedestrians, cyclists, and joggers. It is wheelchair accessible.

  • There is no designated spot for parking. It is advised to park along side streets.

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• Merrimack River Trail (Haverhill) near Buttonwoods Section and Hannah Dustin Rest Area

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• Pemberton Park (Lawrence). Built to remember the lives lost from the Pemberton Mill disaster of 1860, Pemberton Park is a beautiful place for a short walk or a picnic. Find directions here. 

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• Merrimack River Walking Path (Lowell) is a pleasant paved path along the Merrimack. Handicap accessible! 

• Clipper City Rail Trail (Newburyport). 1.1 mile path between the MBTA commuter rail station and the shoreline of the Merrimack River, running through the historic residential neighborhoods of Newburyport. Used for walkers, bicyclists, and other non-motorized users.

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• Newburyport Harborwalk Rail trail (Newburyport). 2 miles of flat pavement alongside the Merrimack. 

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• Maudslay State Park (Newburyport). For directions, click here! For a trail map, click here. For more general information from Mass Gov, click here. 

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• Moseley Woods (Newburyport). To get there, set your directions to 16 Spofford Street. When you arrive, there will be a rotary with the intersection of Merrimac Street and Spofford street. There are 16-acres, with a playground, shaded picnic area, and hiking trails. For more information, click here!

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• Old Eastern Marsh Trail (Salisbury). 1.4 mile paved trail from the river to Mudnock Road. Beautiful views and bird watching. 

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Other parks (not including trails)  

• First Landing Park (Haverhill). 0.8 acre area. For directions, click here.

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• Riverfront Park (Haverhill). For directions, click here. 

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• Washington Landing Park (Haverhill). Includes a playground. For directions, click here.

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• Riverside Park (Haverhill). For directions, click here. ​Visit the website here.

  • Parking areas off of Lincoln Avenue​.

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• Cashman park (Newburyport). For directions, click here. ​See their website for more information. 

  • Parking available for a fee of $10​.

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• Joppa Park (Newburyport)

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• Waterfront (Newburyport). For directions, click here.

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• ​Waterfront Promenade Park (Newburyport). For directions, click here​​. See their website for more information. 

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Birding information: 

•  In the spring/summer

  • waterfowl

  • herons

  • egret

•  In the fall, shorebirds pass through the river cities.