This spot sits on the Cambridge riverbank next to the Museum of Science, at the historic Charles River Dam. It is a DCR-managed stretch of the Charles River Reservation walkway and locks, not the museum's ticketed interior; public pedestrian access across the dam locks has been restricted at times, so treat this as a riverside path rather than a crossing.
What to expect
Managed by
Charles River Reservation
617-626-1250 · WebsiteWorth knowing
- MassDOT and the Museum of Science are studying two new pedestrian/bike bridges to improve crossings at this location, including one spanning the mouth of the Lechmere Canal on the Cambridge side; not yet built.
Common questions
Can I walk across the dam here for free?
There is a public riverside path along the Cambridge bank, but pedestrian crossing of the actual lock structure has been restricted in the past, so do not count on it as a through-route without checking current signage.