Uxbridge: Nature Trails, Water and History

Uxbridge brings nature experiences together with traces of local and industrial history. Cormier Woods preserves a 17th-century farmstead, with trails that pass stone walls and restored woodland. At Pout Pond, swimming, kayaking, and fishing take center stage. Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park adds trails, canoe access, and the history of canal transport to the experience. Depending on your interests, you can explore Uxbridge outdoors, on the water, or through its history.

Trails Through Cormier Woods

Cormier Woods is a well-preserved 17th-century farmstead. Its trails follow stone walls and pass through restored woodland. There are five miles of interconnected loop trails in total, winding through pasture, woodland, and a boulder field. The terrain ranges from easy to moderate. If you like to plan your outings on foot, you can take this information into account and consider which landscapes you would like to shape your day: open pasture, woodland, or the boulder field.

Water and Time at Pout Pond

Swimming, kayaking, and fishing are possible at Pout Pond. Walking trails, a large picnic area, and a sandy beach complement the activities on the water. This offers a different way to spend time outdoors than hiking through the landscape at Cormier Woods. When planning your day, you can decide whether you would rather explore on foot, enjoy activities on the water, or take a break in the picnic area.

Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park

Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park spans the town boundary between Uxbridge and Northbridge. It has walking and hiking trails, as well as canoe access. The park recalls the role canals played in transporting raw materials and finished goods between emerging industrial centers. The landscape thus also tells the story of routes once used to transport goods, rather than simply for today’s exploration on foot or by canoe.

The interpretive theme of the River Bend Farm Visitor Center is “From Farm to Factory.” It is presented in the context of the entire Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. In the Visitor Center’s barn, you’ll find exhibits, displays, and information; restrooms are also available there. The connection between farm and factory offers a historical perspective on the region’s development, while the trails and canoe access put the focus on spending time outdoors.

Local History and Historical Collections

The Uxbridge Historical Society collects artifacts, photographs, books, and documents dating from the 18th century onward. Its furniture collection includes the bed in which President George Washington slept during his visit to Uxbridge in 1789. Another historic site is the Cornet John Farnum House, where Uxbridge held its first Town Meeting in 1727. These two connections reveal different aspects of local history: the collection preserves objects and mementos, while the house is associated with a specific event in the town’s history.

Taft Tavern in North Uxbridge is also associated with visits by U.S. presidents. George Washington stayed there in 1789; William H. Taft visited his ancestral home in Uxbridge in 1909. Prospect Hill is considered Uxbridge’s oldest cemetery. The Thayer Memorial Library holds records and artifacts relating to the town’s history.

Explore More Places

You can also include Shrewsbury, Auburn, Sturbridge, Grafton, Gardner, Harvard, Devens and Dudley in your search as additional destinations.

For the broader travel overview: Worcester.