Nickerson State Park Bike Paths

Nickerson State Park in Brewster is where the Cape Cod Rail Trail is run from, and it has its own network of paved bike paths that connect to the trail. DCR's park page puts those paths at 8 miles. The rail trail passes through the edge of the park near Route 6A, around mile marker 10 on DCR's map.

The park covers 1,900 acres of pine and oak woods and kettle ponds. For rail trail riders it's the shady, hillier side trip in the middle of the ride, and the one paid parking lot on the trail.

Nickerson Bike Paths

DCR's current park page describes an 8-mile bike path that connects to the rail trail. DCR's older suggested-rides sheet, from 2016, calls it "over 10 miles of rolling and winding paved bike paths." The park page is the current one. Either way, the paths are paved and rated moderate: they roll and wind through the woods, unlike the flat rail trail.

DCR's suggested ride names the Deer Park, Ober and Cedar trails and the Ruth's Pond Loop. Start from the parking lot at the park entrance or from the campgrounds, and take care at road crossings inside the park.

Bikes stay on the paved paths. DCR's sheet says mountain biking isn't allowed on the Cliff Pond loop, the park's 3.2-mile walk around its largest pond.

Parking at Nickerson for the Rail Trail

The rail trail access lot at Nickerson costs $5 for a Massachusetts plate and $20 for any other in season. That's less than the park's general day fee ($8 and $30). DCR's two pages give different fee seasons; the details, and the free lots nearby, are on our parking page. The Route 137 lot in Brewster is free and a couple of miles west.

A Ride That Uses Both

• Park at the free Route 137 lot in Brewster and ride east on the rail trail to Nickerson.
• Loop the park's bike paths, which roll through the woods past the ponds.
• Return the same way, or carry on east to Orleans Center, about 3 miles past the park. See distances by town.

Ponds, Swimming and Fishing

Nickerson has 8 freshwater ponds, 4 stocked with trout year-round. Cliff Pond, at 204 acres, is the largest. The park lists swimming, boating, canoeing and kayaking. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach, and alcohol isn't allowed in the park.

Camping Near the Rail Trail

Nickerson has more than 400 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs, plus yurts. In 2026 DCR listed $22 a night for Massachusetts residents and $70 for non-residents. Reservations go through ReserveAmerica. Other places to stay near the trail are on our plan your visit page.

Good For, and Maybe Skip If

• Good for shade on a hot day, and for riders who want a few hills.
• Good for a rail trail day with a swim in a pond in the middle.
• Maybe skip the park loops with small children on training wheels: the paths roll and wind. The flat Old Colony Rail Trail is easier.