RiverFest Event Types
Walk/Hiking Events
Event #2
Two Brothers Rocks Walk
Saturday, July 6, 2:00pm
Possibly the oldest inland monument in Massachusetts, the Two Brothers Rock are well known but difficult to find. Former Bedford Historical Society president Alethea Yates will lead a 15-minute walk to these two large boulders on the shore of the Concord River and then tell the story of the 1638 trip of the original “two brothers” — to this historic site. Mosquito repellent recommended. Meet at the trailhead on Dudley Rd, Bedford, near the intersection of Emery Rd.
Location: Trailhead on Dudley Road, Bedford
Event #4
Rail Trail Walk along the Assabet River
Sunday, July 7, 4:30pm
Naturalist Peter Alden, author of the Audubon Field Guide to New England, will lead an easy 2.5-hour walk focusing on birds and plants on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail from West Concord toward White Pond. Meet at the beginning of the Rail Trail in West Concord (Rt. 62).
Registration for this event opens Thursday, June 20, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Location: Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in W Concord (Rt. 62), GPS: 42.456323, -71.392428
Event #8
Photo Walk at Heard Farm
Friday, July 12, 6:00pm
Join Wayland photographer Hendrik Broekman for a stroll around the 86 acre Heard Farm Conservation Area. Woods, open fields, wetlands, over 200 species of birds, and the Sudbury River shoreline make Heard Farm a remarkable place with over three miles of trails, many of them old cart paths. Hendrik will provide tips for successful photography with your camera/phone. All ages and abilities are welcome. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Heard Rd. off Pelham Island Rd. Questions: (508)-358-2980.
Registration for this event opens Saturday, June 29, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Location: Heard Farm, Heard Road, Wayland
Event #9
Natural History of the Sudbury River Walk.
Sunday, July 14, 10:00am
Enjoy the wonderful vistas of the meandering Sudbury River at Weir Hill, Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge with Neela de Zoysa, botanist and instructor at the Native Plant Trust. Be introduced to the glacial sculpting of Weir Hill and the Native American history of the location. Learn about the floodplain trees, swamps of buttonbush and red maple, ferns, graminoids and other herbaceous species. The location has great observation platforms, and boardwalks for examining plants. Bring a packed lunch to enjoy after the 2-hour walk. Meet in the refuge at 73 Weir Hill Rd.
Due to wet conditions, this event has been postponed from Saturday to Sunday!
Registration for this event opens Sunday, June 30, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Location: Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, 73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury
Event #10
“You Too Can be a Naturalist”
Saturday, July 13, 10:00am
Join Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust on a journey of discovery of the floria and fuana that call the Concord River Greenway home. Explore the diverse array of wildflowers that grace our riverbanks, learning about their unique characteristics and ecological significance. Become a citizen scientist as we teach you how to use the free iNaturalist app to identify plants and animals. This leisurely 1.5-mile round-trip walk (1.5 hours) is suitable for all ages. Take your time to soak in the sights and sounds of nature, with plenty of opportunities to rest and recharge along the way.
Pre-registration at https://lowelllandtrust.org/wi... required.
Event #11
Saxonville History
Sunday, July 14, 2:00pm
Join the Framingham History Center for an immersive 75-minute walking tour of Saxonville as we explore the rich tapestry of its history, land, and waterways. This tour will shed light on the business, social, and civic life of this vibrant neighborhood while also delving into the natural features and waterways that helped shape this historic community and that of Framingham. Meet on the Central St. Bridge over the Saxonville Falls and Dam (across from the Saxonville Mills).
PLEASE NOTE: This event has been canceled because of high temperatures forecasted for Sunday afternoon. Thank you for your understanding.
Registration for this event opens Monday, July 1, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Location: Central Street Bridge over Saxonville Falls, Framingham
Event #13
Birding the Lincoln’s Codman Conservation Land and Farm Meadow
Tuesday, July 16, 8:00am
Join Lincoln Conservation Director, Michele Grzenda, on a 2-hour birding stroll around Codman Estates, Farm Meadow and North Codman Conservation Area. Meet 25 bird species commonly found in our neighborhoods, wetlands, and forests, and learn various field identification techniques by sight and sound. Bring binoculars if you have them; long sleeve shirt and pants (for mosquitoes). bug spray, and water. Pre-registration required.
Registration for this event opens Monday, July 1, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Event #14
Walk with Thoreau Along the Middlesex Canal
Saturday, July 20, 10:00am
Join experienced guide Marlies Henderson for a 3-hour exploration of extant portions of the Middlesex Canal, from the Billerica Falls to River Neck Rd, Chemlsford, and back, reading passages from Henry David Thoreau’s Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers. High boots recommended. Pre-registration required.
Registration for this event opens Friday, July 5, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Event #18
Sudbury Headwaters Walk
Sunday, July 21, 10:00am
Join the Framingham Conservation Commission for a 1.5-hour walk in grassy and wooded areas in the Cochituate Brook Reservation and along th Cochitual Rail Trail between Lake Cochituate and the Sudbury River. Meet at Reardon Park, across from 4 Maymont Dr. For more info, email .
Location: Reardon Park Framingham
Event #19
Carlisle Trail Walk
Sunday, July 21, 1:00pm
Enjoy a 3.5 mile walk (~3 hours) through meadows and forests on trails paralleling the Concord River, starting at the Foss Farm conservation land and passing through Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge and the O’Rourke farm on the way to scenic Greenough Pond in the Greenough Conservation Land. Be prepared for wet conditions underfoot, bring drinking water and insect repellent. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the walk. Dogs are not permitted in the Refuge. Meet at the Foss Farm parking lot, 0.3 mi west of the Concord River bridge on Rte. 225. For information, email Alan Ankers at .
Location: Foss Farm Parking Lot
Event #21
Fowler Afoot’s River Walk
Wednesday, July 24, 10:00am
Join the walking book club, Fowler Afoot, to read The Boatman: Henry David Thoreau's River Years by Robert Thorson. Enjoy a discussion of the book while strolling along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Meet at Fowler Library and walk to the trail together. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will meet inside. 1322 Main St.
Location: Fowler Branch Library, 1322 Main Street, W Concord
Event #24
Envisioning Brewster’s Woods
Friday, July 26, 9:00am
Join Renata Pomponi, Senior Director of Mass Audubon, for a guided walk of their newest sanctuary, Brewster’s Woods. This historic property along the Concord River was once the home of William Brewster, a noted ornithologist and Mass Audubon’s first president. Learn about the history of the property as a place of inspiration and connection to nature during a 1.2-mile roundtrip journey along the Fisher Trail, an all persons accessible trail, looking for wildlife and passing through a diversity of field, forest, and wetland habitats. Pre-registration required.
Registration for this event opens Thursday, July 11, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Event #25
Wright Woods Walk
Saturday, July 27, 10:00am
Join Rachel Wheeler and John Myers for a guided loop walk in the Concord Land Conservation Trust’s Wright Woods beginning at the Fairhaven Bay Overlook and exploring the trails along Well Meadow and the Sudbury River. This 300 acre woodland is located between Fairhaven Bay and Walden Pond. In addition to appreciating local flora and beaver activity, you will learn about the history of the property, the stone terraces and boathouse, and the family that loved and preserved these woods. The 2-hour walk will cover approximately 2 miles of moderate terrain. Pre-registration required.
Registration for this event opens Friday, July 12, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Event #27
Bird and Butterfly Walk at Sedge Meadow
Sunday, July 28, 8:30am
Brian Harris, Wayland’s Conservation Department Land Manager, will lead a morning bird and butterfly walk at Wayland’s riverside Sedge Meadow Conservation Land. Meet at the Black Cat parking lot, located down a gravel road between 42 & 48 Glezen Ln. For more information, email .
Registration for this event opens Saturday, July 13, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Location: Black Cat parking lot (down a gravel road between 42 & 48 Glezen Lane, Wayland
Come, connect, and experience your local Wild and Scenic Rivers! A RiverFest Summer!
Enjoy free hikes, paddles, walks, and family fun during the month of July in this annual celebration of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic River. Explore all the rivers have to offer, just west of Boston!
Event Categories
Be a Junior River Ranger this Summer!
Discover why our Wild & Scenic Rivers are special places! Get your copy of the SuAsCo River Ranger booklet and through your own explorations, earn a Junior River Ranger badge and certificate! As you learn about our rivers, think of ways you can help protect them!
Booklets and fun activities will be at the Old Manse on July 20, Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on July 27, and at the Fowler Library in Concord. Email or call 617-981-2116 to have your free booklet mailed to you. Designed for kids 6-12.
- Yoga, Games, Art, and History at the Old Manse
- River Lab
- Family Fishing & Festivities at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
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Events by Week
- July 1st – July 7th (4 events)
- July 8th – July 14th (9 events)
- July 15th – July 21st (9 events)
- July 22nd – July 28th (9 events)