Map 19 - Oxbow
Rating Comments: (See noise warning below.) Parking area with kiosk and rest room station can be found by going to the end of Still River Depot Road, crossing the train tracks, then turning right after entering the Refuge. (Turning left takes you to the canoe launch area.) See this map for details showing the parking and access points. Proceed a short way down the trail where the Riverside Trail leads off to the left. This 2-mile loop interpretive trail has signs as it leads along the banks of the Nashua River. This trail is narrow, but interesting with a nice variety of large trees. It eventually bends to the east and follows the path of the historic Union Turnpike toll road built in 1805 to take travelers to Leominster. The turnpike passes over marsh with excellent birding potential. There is a short spur trail leading to a bird blind in the marsh. The trail ends on the Tank Road trail, which can either take you back to the parking area in about 1/2 mile (if you turn right), or taking a left (north) extends the walk by more than a mile one way. You can even cross under Rte 2 and join the Goddard Trail which then leads to Mirror Lake. You could really spend almost the entire day exploring this area. NB: Mosquitoes can be heavy in warm weather months. Dogs are not allowed. Moderate
Note that the peace and quiet can be greatly disturbed when military training is taking place at the firing ranges across the river! Refer to Devens Noise Report for a calendar of training activity.
Trailhead Directions: Click here
Nearby Trails: Fruitlands, Mirror Lake
Parcel size: Over 1000 acres
Prefer the classic hand-drawn map? Click Here
Keywords: Long Walks, parking, birds, wide, skiing, river, wildlife
Note that the peace and quiet can be greatly disturbed when military training is taking place at the firing ranges across the river! Refer to Devens Noise Report for a calendar of training activity.
Trailhead Directions: Click here
Nearby Trails: Fruitlands, Mirror Lake
Parcel size: Over 1000 acres
Prefer the classic hand-drawn map? Click Here
Keywords: Long Walks, parking, birds, wide, skiing, river, wildlife
Click here for a printable map.
Oxbow PDF (313K)
Click Here for a downloadable GPX file to upload into your mobile mapping app.
