Features

Picnic in the shadow of the iconic railroad bridge at Tidal Flats Recreation Area.

Tidal Flats Recreation Area sits on the southern shore of the Cape Cod Canal, at the foot of the iconic Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge. The canal is a popular place for local anglers hoping to lure a fabled striper to their hooks.

Fish aren’t the only ones traveling through this busy canal – it’s a passage for boats of all sizes cruising between Buzzards Bay and Massachusetts Bay. Find a spot along these rocky shores and admire the ship promenade while you fish or picnic.

Trails

Tidal Flats Recreation Area is the westernmost access point to the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway, a paved service road that runs for 6.5 miles along the canal’s entire length. This wide, flat trail is perfect for all ages to bike, walk, and run on the canal’s southern shore.

If you head east on the bikeway, you’ll reach Bourne Recreation Area in just two short miles – an ideal length for a family ride or a walk with friends. Or bike the whole 6.5 miles to the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center in Sandwich.

Habitats & Wildlife

The Cape Cod Canal is home to a range of wildlife that’s as diverse as it is unique. Seals sometimes swim through here, as do sportfish like stripers, bluefish, and sea bass.

A variety of birds flock to the canal to feed on these rich populations of migratory fish. Look for ospreys and cormorants in summer and ducks in winter. Peregrine falcons have tried to nest under the Bourne Bridge in recent years, so keep an eye on the skies!

Property Owned By

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works to strengthen our nation’s security by building and maintaining America’s infrastructure.