Devens: Water, Nature, and History

Devens offers a variety of experiences: Non-motorized canoes and kayaks can access the Nashua River from a northern launch point at the Bill Ashe Visitor Facility. At Mirror Lake, summer-season activities include swimming, fishing, boating, and beach activities. The area also features a historic district, cycling and hiking trails, and winter trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. When planning your trip, it is worth first considering whether water, outdoor activities, or history should be the focus.

Water Activities in the Summer Season

At Mirror Lake, activities range from swimming and fishing to boating and beach activities. If you would like to plan water activities as a particular focus of your stay, there are several ways to spend the day at the lake. This information applies to the summer season, so the lake is especially relevant to trip planning at that time.

The Nashua River offers a different experience: the Bill Ashe Visitor Facility has a northern launch point for non-motorized canoes and kayaks. This is a specific option for travelers who would like to explore the river in one of these watercraft. Lake activities and the river launch offer different kinds of experiences, giving you the chance to consider which one best suits your plans.

Fort Devens: Construction History and Remembrance

The Fort Devens Historic District combines a distinctive layout with historical significance. Most of the district’s buildings are arranged around a central parade ground. This gives the complex a distinctive architectural feature that sets it apart from individual historic buildings without a shared orientation. On June 10, 1993, the Fort Devens Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The district’s history also includes an event from 1945: African American members of the Women’s Army Corps went on strike there to protest racial discrimination. Devens is therefore also a place where an important chapter in the history of the Women’s Army Corps and the struggle against racism can be situated. Those interested in history will find here a specific historical perspective alongside the district’s architectural layout.

The United Native American Cultural Center offers cultural education and enrichment programs. These include opportunities to learn about and share Indigenous American crafts, art, voices, and traditional ways of life. This focus broadens Devens’ cultural offerings to include Indigenous perspectives and forms of expression.

Cycling, Golf, and Outdoor Trails

Devens has several miles of designated bicycle lanes for cycling. They run along tree-lined streets, past historic landmarks, and around public parks. The described route sections connect different aspects of the area: green streetscapes, historic points of interest, and public parkland. Hiking trails and various walking paths offer additional ways to spend time outdoors on foot.

Golf is also on offer: Red Tail Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course and was recognized as the first Audubon International Signature Golf Course in New England. Another sporting option is The Commander, a Professional Disc Golf Association disc golf course. The two golf offerings differ both in the type of play and in Red Tail Golf Club’s special distinction.

Open Space and Winter Activities

Devens has about 1,700 acres of open space. This scale contributes to the area’s natural, open-space character and adds another consideration to trip planning alongside its trails and activities. In winter, there are two connected, groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. When there is snow, they form a loop about three miles long. Snow conditions are essential: the loop is specifically described for times when there is snow.

When looking for a vacation rental in Devens, the time of year can be a useful starting point if you want to plan for seasonal experiences.

If you would also like to discover other places: Princeton, Leicester, Ashburnham, Sturbridge, Northborough, Westborough, Sutton and Grafton.

For the broader travel overview: Worcester.