Plan Your Visit

To plan a Cape Cod Rail Trail day, pick one stretch of 10 to 20 miles round trip, park at a free DCR lot at one end of it, and bring water. The trail is about about 25 miles, open sunrise to sunset, and free. Late spring and early fall are the easiest times to go; August is the busiest.

This page pulls the planning pieces together. The details live on their own pages: parking, bike rentals, distances and rules.

Best Time to Ride the Cape Cod Rail Trail

Every search about the trail peaks in August, more than twice the yearly average, and the lots and shops follow the same pattern. If you can choose, ride in May, June, September or early October, when the weather is mild and most businesses are still open. On a summer weekend, start early in the morning.

In winter the trail stays open and DCR lists cross-country skiing, but many shops and restrooms close. See hours and fees.

Choosing Your Section

• Families with young kids: a short out-and-back from Brewster or the Old Colony Rail Trail from Chatham.
• A beach at the end: Orleans to Eastham, then the Nauset Bike Trail to Coast Guard Beach.
• Woods and ponds: Brewster through Nickerson State Park.
• The whole thing: South Yarmouth to South Wellfleet, one way with a second car or a ride back. See length and start points.

What to Bring

• Water. DCR's ride guidance for Nickerson notes drinking water usually isn't available, and the trail has long stretches between towns.
• A helmet: required by law for riders 16 and under.
• A lock, if you plan to stop in a town or walk a beach trail; bikes aren't allowed on National Seashore hiking trails.
• Sunscreen and a layer. Parts of the trail are open marsh with little shade.
• Bug spray in early summer, especially for side trips into the woods.
• Lights, if there's any chance you'll be out near sunset.

Restrooms and Water Along the Way

DCR lists restrooms among the trail's facilities. Trail guides place them at several trailheads, including the Route 6A crossing at Nickerson State Park, Brackett Road in North Eastham and LeCount Hollow Road in Wellfleet. The Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham, half a mile off the trail, is open year-round. On the Old Colony Rail Trail, Chatham lists restrooms at the community center, the police station on George Ryder Road and, in season, Brooks Park in Harwich.

Food and Ice Cream Stops

The trail runs through or near the centers of Harwich, Brewster, Orleans and Eastham, and that's where the food is. Downtown Orleans, where the trail crosses Main Street, has bike shops and places to eat. North Eastham, near Brackett Road, has delis and an ice cream shop by the trail, and some motels and restaurants on Route 6 connect straight to it. Trail guides also mention small general stores with picnic tables along the way.

DCR doesn't allow alcohol on the trail, and asks you to carry out all trash.

Where to Stay Near the Trail

• Camping: Nickerson State Park in Brewster has more than 400 campsites and yurts, and the trail runs past it. Wellfleet Hollow State Campground sits at the trail's northern end.
• Motels and inns: North Eastham has motels on Route 6 that connect directly to the trail. Orleans and Brewster are central bases with rental shops.
• Chatham: stay near the Old Colony Rail Trail and ride to the main trail at the Harwich rotary.

Safety

Ride at 15 mph or less, stop at every stop sign, and call out before you pass. Don't leave valuables in your car at the trailhead. In an emergency, call 911. The rest of DCR's etiquette is on our rules page.

Accessibility

DCR lists the trail as wheelchair accessible, with accessible bike paths and hand-cycles available. DCR's Universal Access Program handles adaptive recreation in state parks; call the Nickerson office for current hand-cycle availability.