Clipper City Rail Trail

The Clipper City Rail Trail in Newburyport, Massachusetts is an easy 2.2-mile out-and-back trail that runs along Route 1 from the Merrimack River south to the Parker Street MBTA and back.

Trail name: The Clipper City Rail Trail

Location: Newburyport, MA.

Allowed activities: hiking, running, cross country skiing, geocaching, picnicking, bicycling, and bird watching.

Forbidden activities: No motorized vehicles. No fishing.

Hours: Trails are open daily during daylight hours.

Fees and Parking: There are no fees for using the trails. There are several options of trailheads for accessing the rail trail and can be found at the link below:

https://coastaltrails.org/the-trail-network/clipper-city-rail-trail-newburyport/

There are several trailheads where parking is free. The parking at the MBTA station, where the parking directions lead to, does have a fee.

Pets: Dogs are permitted, but must be on a leash. Dog waste must be picked up and removed from the trail.

Accessibility: The Clipper City Rail Trail is wheelchair and stroller friendly.

Sanitation: On the Clipper City Rail trail there are trash and recycling bins at the Washington Street intersection. There are no restrooms. Visitors are encouraged to carry out all trash.

Length: This hike is an easy 2.1 miles (round trip) trail that goes out and back.

Trail information: The Clipper City Rail trail is located in Newburyport MA and the hike is approximately 1.1 miles long (one way). The trail is very well maintained, 10 feet wide and paved. There are beautiful flower gardens interspersed alongside the trail. The highlight of this hike has to be the multiple creative art installations for visitors to enjoy. In the event that you want to sit and read during your visit, but you have forgotten to bring along a book, there is a small free library near the Parker Street entrance.  

There are several historical and educational placards posted at historical points of interest as well as a few fun geocaches to hunt for. The Clipper City Rail Trail runs from the Parker Street MBTA station down to the Merrimack River. At the Merrimack River, visitors can continue over to the Old Eastern Marsh Trail by connecting via a section of the Newburyport Harbor walk and crossing over to Salisbury NH on the Route 1 Gillis Bridge. The trail is well marked and well-traveled. There are no trail blaze markers on the Clipper City Rail Trail as the trail is obvious and paved.

The Clipper City Rail and Newburyport Harbor walk are all part of the Coastal Trail Coalition (CTC). The CTC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and assist in the development of the Coastal Trails Network. Currently there are 20 miles of developed trail and with more trails proposed for addition. The network of trails connects the communities of Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury. The trails provide a safe alternative means of recreation and commuting. The CTC website offers a downloadable/printable map to the trail system. Please follow the link below for a trail map:

https://coastaltrails.org/the-trail-network/network-map/