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Transportation Options

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Zoom in on the map to find transit stops, boat launches, and trails!

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*Navigating the map: Zoom in to a desired location to see more map elements displayed. Use the       icon to view the map legend and the       icon to toggle map layers on and off. Click on the different map elements and use the       icon to learn more (i.e. trail name, watershed name, transit stop, etc.).

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Map created by Mass Rivers' Intern, Caley Earls

See below for public transit stops that will bring you close to the lower part of each watershed.

The Assabet River

Assabet
How to Get There:

By Train​

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  • Commuter Rail from Boston

    • Fitchburg Line. From the West Concord Station, walk 10 minutes to Warner’s Pond to paddle, walk 2 minutes to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail to bike or stroll into Sudbury.  
    • Fitchburg Line. Get off at the South Acton stop to get on the Assabet River Rail Trail down to the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. 

The Bass River

Bass River
How to Get There:

By Car

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(from Boston)

  • MA-3 S

  • I-95 S and I-495 S

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By Bus

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  • Peter Pan bus to H2O Hyannic-Orleans bus

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By Train

  • The summer-only Cape Flyer operates once a day from Boston to Hyannis, where the Bass River is an easy bus or bike ride away.

The Blackstone River

Blackstone
How to Get There:

Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary

  • From Worcester: take the WRTA #5 bus to Broad Meadow Plaza. The Center and Sanctuary is located right there.

  • Notes on Public Transportation: The WRTA bus lines only run from 9:30AM—7:00PM on Sunday. WRTA bicycle racks hold two bikes at a time on the outside of the bus.

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Rhode Island: RIPTA operates the 59x between Providence and Woonsocket, and the 54 bus around downtown Woonsocket. There are several river access points in Woonsocket, including the Blackstone River bike trail. 

HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY:

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  • Douglas State Forest has accessible beaches and restrooms

  • The canal side of the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park has flat and wide trails​

  • Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary has 1 mile of accessible trails​

The Charles River

Charles River Transpo
How to Get There:

​By Train

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  • MBTA – Red Line:

    • Charles/MGH

    • Kendall/MIT

    • Science Park

    • Harvard

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  • MBTA – Green Line:

    • Hynes Convention Center

    • Kenmore

    • Blandford Street

    • BU East

    • BU Central

    • BU West​

By Bus

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  • 1: Massachusetts Ave @ Beacon St; 77 Massachusetts Ave; Massachusetts Ave @ Bow St; Massachusetts Ave @ Holyoke St​​​

  • 59: Watertown Sq Terminal; Watertown St @ Galen St; Needham St @ Oak St; 156 Oak St; Chestnut St @ Elliot St; Central Ave @ Reservoir St​

  • 66: N Harvard St; JFK St @ Eliot St​​​

  • 70: many stops along the 70 route will get you close to the Charles River​​​

  • 86: Market St @ Lothrop St; Western Ave @ Mackin St; N Harvard St; 16 Eliot St;

  • Commuter Rail: 

    • ​​​North Station is a 0.5 mile walk from the Charles River Esplanade. The Haverhill, Fitchburg, Lowell,  Newburyport/Rockport lines all end at North Station.  ​North Station also has connections with the Orange and Green Lines.

    • South Station has a Red Line connection, from which there are many stops near the river. The Fairmount, Franklin,  Kingston/Plymouth, Lakeville, Needham, and Providence lines end at South Station.

    • ​Framingham/Worcester Line - Auburndale stop is a 0.4 mile walk from Auburndale Park, and a 0.4 walk from Paddle Boston Historic Newton Boathouse. 

    • ​Needham Line - West Roxbury stop is a 1.3 mile walk from Millenium Park, and the Hersey stop is a 1.1 mile walk to the Cutler Park trail entrance. The Natick Center stop is a 2.5 mile walk/bike ride from MassAudubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary.

HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY:

 

The first mile or so of the Charles River Link Trail is relatively flat and wide, as is the Esplanade and Paul Dudley White bike path. 

Some DCR facilities (parks and play areas) are accessible.

The Chicopee River

Chicopee Rive
How to Get There:

By Car

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(from Boston)

  • ​MA-2 W and I-90 W

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By Bus (PVTA)

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  • From Springfield, the G1 and P21 buses run to Chicopee Center along the river.

  • The X90 runs from Longmeadow to Holyoke with stops in Chicopee Falls (Main/Canterbury, Montgomery/Memorial)

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The Concord River

Concord River
How to Get There:

By Car

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(from Boston)

  • MA-2 W & US-3N

  • I-93 N

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By Bus

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  • LRTA: from Lowell, line 3 to Lawrence St & Roger St, Lawrence St & Moore St, Lawrence St & Billerica St.

  • MVRTA - Route 41 bus from Lawrence to Lowell, stop at Church Street/Central Plaza and the Mass Lowell Inn & Conference Center

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By Train

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  • Commuter Rail Lowell Line - Lowell (connection to LRTA or MVRTA) or North Billerica (connection to LRTA line 3)

The Connecticut River

Connecticut River
How to Get There:

By Bus

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  • The Pioneer Valley RTA provides many bus routes that access the river between Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Westfield, Norhampton, Easthampton, Amherst, and beyond.

  • Franklin RTA - the Route 24 Crosstown Connector and Route 32 bus take riders from downtown Greenfield to Tuners Falls where there are many riverside walks. 

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By Train

  • ​Amtrak's Valley Flyer and Vermonter stop in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, and Greenfield, all of which are short walks to the river. Both trains run south to New Haven

  • CT Rail's Hartford Line also stops in Springfield from Hartford and New Haven.

  • Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited provides service from Boston, Framingham, and Worcester to Springfield and Pittsfield. 

The Deerfield River

Deerfield River
How to Get There:

By Car

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(from Boston)

  • MA-2 W, I-90 W, & MA-116 N

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By Bus

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  • Franklin RTA - Stops: Academy at Charlemont, Charlemont Center, Buckland Park and Ride, Salmon Falls - Buckland, and Shelbourne Falls

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The Farmington River

Farmington River
How to Get There:

By Car

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(from Boston)

  • 1-90 W and I-84​

The Fort River

Fort River
How to Get There:

By Car

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(from Boston)

  • ​MA-2 W and I-90 W

 

By Bus

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  • Pioneer Valley RTA - Both the B43 and 39E stops: Columbia Drive, Mill Lane, Crocker Farm School, Russell, Pine Hill, and Spruce Hill. 

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The French River

French River
How to Get There:

​​By Bus

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  • Take the WRTA 42 bus from Aub Mall/Webster to Davis Street and Webster Center, or the Webster-Dudley-Southbridge shuttle to Webster Center.

  • WRTA - Stops: Main Street, Holbrook Road, Sunset Ave, & Oxford Center

The Hoosic River

Hoosic River
How to Get There:

​​By Car

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  • I-90 W and Farmnas Rd 

    • I-91 N and MA 9 W 

      • Columbus Rd -> Damon Rd -> Main St -> North St -> Farmnas Rd

 

By Bus

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  • From Pittsfield, take the BRTA 1  bus from Berkshire Mall to the North Adams Walmart, with connection available to the 34 bus. 

  • The 34 bus serves downtown North Adams.

  • The 3 bus provides service between Williamstown and North Adams, following the Hoosic River. 

The Housatonic River

Housatonic
How to Get There:

Old Mill Trail

  • Take the BRTA Route 4 bus to the Hinsdale Post Office stop, then walk 0.8 miles via Main St.

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Housatonic River Walk

  • Take the BRTA Route 21 bus to the Rite Aid stop (or the Great Barrington Post Office stop, depending on which way you are coming from), then walk 0.2 miles via Pleasant St or Dresser Ave.

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Laura's Tower

  • Take the Route 21 bus to the Stockbridge Center (Main St.) stop, then walk 1.2 miles via Ice Glen Rd to reach the Ice Glen Trail, which connects with the Laura’s Tower Trail.

  • Alternatively, take the Peter Pan bus to the Downtown Information Booth, Stockbridge stop and follow the same route to Ice Glen Trail and Laura’s Tower Trail.

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Mary Flynn Trail

  • This trail is connected to the Ice Glen Trail and Laura’s Tower Trail, so follow the same directions as above.

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Amtrak: the Lake Shore Limited stops in Pittsfield center, less than a mile from the river. The train runs from Chicago to Boston with nearby stops in Albany, Springfield, Worcester, and Framingham.

HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY

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Old Mill Trail in Hinsdale/Dalton (owned by Berkshire Natural Resources Council) and the Housatonic River Walk in Great Barrington.

The Ipswich River

Ipswich
How to Get There:

By Train

 

  • Commuter Rail:​

    • Ipswich station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line is in downtown Ipswich, along the river, and a 0.2 mile walk from Peatfield Landing. 

    • ​​Wilmington Station on the Lowell Line will bring you close to Mill Brook.

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​By Bus

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HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY:

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  • Rail trails

  • An all-access trail at Bradley Palmer State Park

  • Accessible landings, such as at the Riverbend headquarters dock

The Jones River

Jones River
How to Get There:

By Car

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(from Boston)

  • MA - 128 N​, US-1 N, & Lynn Fells Parkway

 

By Bus

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  • GATRA (RTA) - stop: Main Street and Hillcrest Road

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By Train

  • Commuter Rail - the Kingston stop on the Kingston Line brings you 2 miles from the Jones River Landing.

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The Merrimack River

Merrimack
How to Get There:

The best resource for all activity locations with parking and accessibility information can be found on the Merrimack River Watershed Council's website

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By Train

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  • Commuter Rail from Boston:

    • The Newburyport line brings you to Newburyport, where the river meets the sea. Walk along the Clipper City Rail Trail 1.3 miles from the station to the harborwalk. 

    • The Haverhill line stops in downtown Lawrence and Haverhill. Enjoy a meal and a stroll by the river in both cities!

    • The Lowell line ends in downtown Lowell. The station is a 1.1 mile walk from the river.  

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By Bus

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The Millers River

Millers River
How to Get There:

Please check back soon for updates on transportation details. 

Mystic

The Mystic River

How to Get There:

By Bus

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  • Medford - Codon Shell:

    • Take the 95, 96, or 101 to “Main St @ High St”. It is a 7 minute walk from there to the Codon Shell.

    • Take the 94, 95, 96, 101, 134, or 710 to “37 Riverside Ave @Medford Sq”. 9 minute walk to codon shell 

  • Somerville - Blessing of the Bay

    • Take the 95 to “Mystic Ave @Shore Drive." 2 minute walk to Blessing of the Bay boathouse. 

 

By Train

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  • Orange Line:

    • Assembly Station is 3 minute walk to Baxter Riverfront Park, 18 minute walk to Blessing of the Bay boathouse.

    • Wellington is a 3 minute walk from the waterfront Wellington Greenway, which connects to the Mystic River State Reservation. 

  • Commuter Rail Lowell Line:

    • The West Medford stop is a 0.4 walk from the Mystic River path, which connects to the Mystic River State Reservation. 

    • The Wedgemere station is the top of Mystic Lakes, a 0.5 walk to Shannon Beach. Excellent bike route! 

    • The Winchester Center stop is right next to the Aberjona River, featuring a great multi-use trail. 

The Nashua River

Nashua Transportation
How to Get There:

By Train​

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  • Commuter Rail:

    • The Fitchburg Line stops in Ayer, which is adjacent to the end of the Nashua River Rail Trail which travels 12.5 miles North to the outskirts of Nashua, NH. Bicycles are allowed on the commuter rail. It’s a beautiful bike ride that meets up with the Nashua River in Groton and Pepperell, and the Harry Rich State Forest in Groton. Harry Rich State Forest has miles of trails alongside the river that are hiker and bicyclist friendly. Nesting bald eagles and numerous water fowl are found on the river in this location.

    • The Fitchburg Line also stops in Shirley, bringing you to within a 1-mile walk over the Nashua River to the Bill Ashe Visitor Center at the Oxbow National Wildlife Center.

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HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY:​

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The John Tinker Trail in Groton offers a wheelchair-accessible trail through the woods to the Nashua River. Click here to learn more about the trail on the Groton Trail Network website.

The Neponset River

Neponset River Transportation
How to Get There:

​By Train

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  • MBTA – Red Line (Mattapan Line/Trolley):

    • Butler, Milton, Central Ave, Valley Road, and

Mattapan stops all are on the multi-use

Neponset Trail.​

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  • Commuter Rail:

    • Fairmount Line - the Readville stop is a 0.6 mile walk from the Neponset River Reservation II, and a 0.8 mile from the Mill Pond Reservation. The Fairmount stop is a 0.4 mile walk to West Street Park, which abuts the Neponset River Reservation.

    • ​Franklin Line - the Hyde Park stop is a 0.5 mile walk from Reservation Park Road. 

By Bus

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  • The 201 and 202 buses will get you close to Pope John Paul II Park

  • The 15, 27, 217, and 240 buses can get you close to the Neponset Trail

  • Take the 32 bus to Hyde Park Ave @ Railroad Station, then walk 0.7 miles

The North Coastal Rivers

North Coasta Rivers
How to Get There:

Please check back soon for updates on transportation details. 

The North & South Rivers

N&S Rivers
How to Get There:

The best resource for all activity locations with parking and accessibility information can be found on the North and South River Watershed Association’s website.

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By Train

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The Parker River

Parker River
How to Get There:

By Car

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  • Take Route 95 until exit 57. Then travel east on Route 113 onto Route 1A South

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By Train

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  • MBTA - Blue Line: Stop off at Broomfield Street & High Street

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  • Commuter Rail: Use the Newburyport/Rockport Line. The closest stop is Rowley. After that, the best option is to Uber/taxi 12.4 miles to the river.  â€‹

The Quinebaug River

Quinebaug River
How to Get There:

By Car

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  • Accessible from Interstate 84, Interstate 295, and US Route 20 

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By Bus

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  • WRTA - Stops: Mechanic Street, Crystal Street, Big Y Plaza, North Street & Optical Drive

The Shawsheen River

Shawsheen River
How to Get There:

By Car

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  • Accessible from Interstate 84, Interstate 295, and US Route 20 

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By Bus

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  • WRTA - Stops: Mechanic Street, Crystal Street, Big Y Plaza, North Street & Optical Drive

The Sudbury River

Sudbury River
How to Get There:

By Car

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  • MA-2 W

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The Taunton River

Taunton River
How to Get There:

By Car

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  • I-95 S & MA-24 S

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By Bus

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  • Many stops along the GATRA

The Ten Mile River

Ten Mile River
How to Get There:

By Car

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(from Boston)

  • I-93 S, I-95 S, & 1-495 S

 

By Bus

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  • GATRA (RTA) - stops: Knight Avenue and South Main, S Main Street, Attleboro Crossing, & Park Street

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By Train

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  • Take the Providence/Stoughton Line (then Bus 16)

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The Ware River

Ware River
How to Get There:

By Car

(to Palmer)

  • I-95 W onto Main and High streets gives access to the Ware River in Palmer

  • U-20 E in Western MA 

  • I-90 E

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(to Ware)

  • I-90 E and MA-32 N

  • MA-9 E

  • I-90 W and Main Street

  • US-20 E

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(to Barre)

  • MA-32 and MA-67

  • I-90 W and I-290 W

  • MA-9 E and MA-32 N

By Bus

  • PVTA operates the Ware-Palmer Circular that runs from Ware to Palmer, terminating at Union Station in Springfield with connecting services.

The Weir River

Weir River
How to Get There:

By Car

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  • I-90 E and I-495 S

  • I-93 and MA-3A S

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By Train/Bus 

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  • MBTA -  Red Line to Quincy center --> Bus 220 to Station Street - Hingham Depot --> Bus 714 Pemberton Point Hull to Rockland Street 

HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY:​

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PATI Bus Stop at Main Street (Firehouse) in Hingham

The Westfield River

westfield
How to Get There:

The best resource for all activity locations with parking and accessibility information can be found on the Westfield River Watershed Council's website

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By Bus

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  • Pioneer Valley Regional Transit Authority:

    • Robinson State Park - From Springfield, take the R14 to the Annable stop, the park is a 0.6 mile walk. 

    • Westfield River Walk - From Springfield, take the R10 to the Oliver Transit Pavilion, the park is a 0.5 mile walk. 

The Westport River

westport
How to Get There:

The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority runs two Intercity Express buses between Fall River and New Bedford that cross over the Westport River and its tributaries. See route maps here

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