The Cochituate Rail Trail is a paved, 12-foot-wide multi-use path built on a former rail corridor, running about 3.3 to 3.7 miles between Saxonville in Framingham and downtown Natick along Lake Cochituate.
What to expect
Dogs
Framingham requires dogs to be leashed at all times on all public property, on a leash no longer than 8 feet in parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields. Posted signs at the site take precedence.
Hours
Framingham public parks are open dawn to dusk, and lit facilities stay open until 10:00 p.m. That's the town default unless posted otherwise.
Accessibility
Paved, flat, accessible surface for its full length
Managed by
Framingham Parks and Recreation and Town of Natick
WebsiteCommon questions
Is Rail Trail open today?
Rail Trail is a public park in Framingham, MA. Posted hours: Framingham public parks are open dawn to dusk, and lit facilities stay open until 10:00 p.m. That's the town default unless posted otherwise..
The Framingham-to-Natick route runs a bit over 3 miles one way on flat, paved surface, so a round trip is about 6-7 miles.
Is it paved the whole way?
Yes, it is a consistent 12-foot paved path from the Saxonville end to the Natick end, including two pedestrian bridges over Route 30 and Route 9.
Where do I park at Rail Trail?
Free lot (Free).
Can I bring my dog to Rail Trail?
Framingham requires dogs to be leashed at all times on all public property, on a leash no longer than 8 feet in parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields. Posted signs at the site take precedence.
Is Rail Trail wheelchair accessible?
Paved, flat, accessible surface for its full length
What rules should I know at Rail Trail?
Non-motorized uses only.