Albion

41º57'11.3" N    71º27'9.86" W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This is a site for launching hand-carried boats and it is also a portage. This typically means that to continue paddling down the river past this site you will have to portage your boat around a dam or other obstruction.

Comments & Overview:

This is possibly the most scenic section of the Blackstone in Rhode Island. The river runs in a deep valley here and the banks are largely wooded and natural.

There is good access to the river for launching hand-carried boats about 150 feet up the bike path from the upper parking lot. Look for a path leading down to the river just beyond the end of the wood fence. Launching here puts you into the quickwater below the dam. To avoid this launch your boat closer to the parking lots where the river is slower but the bank leading down to the river is steeper.

Paddling downstream from here the river is pretty and relatively quiet. Much of this section of the river is within Blackstone State Park. In 1 mile you will come to the I-295 overpass, and in another 1/3 mile you will come to the Ashton Dam, which must be portaged on river right. For more details see the description for the "Blackstone River State Park" boat launch.

If you are paddling down the Blackstone from above Albion, look for a take out on river right about 75' before the dam. There is a nice little gravel slope and a short path leading up to the bike path. Take out here and carry about 250 feet down the bike path to a good access point (described above) to the river below the dam.

This site provides access to the following water bodies in the Blackstone River watershed: Blackstone River.

Location:

Town: Lincoln

Driving Landmarks: From I-295 take exit 10 for Route 122 north towards Cumberland. This will put you on Route 122 (Mendon Road). After a very short distance on Mendon Road, turn left onto Albion Road and go 0.7 miles. Just after you cross the iron bridge over the river, turn left or right into the parking lots for Blackstone State Park.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: dam, whitewater, flatwater/slow moving river

Note: Because one boat launch can access, say, both a lake and a river or both the upstream and downstream portions of a river, not all paddling trips at a given site will necessarily encounter all of the features listed.

Type of Access: Boat launch for hand carried boats

Shoreline: Sand and gravel

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 150 feet

Portage Length: 300 feet

Parking:

Parking: parking lot, 12 spaces

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? yes

Sources for More Information:

Other Guidebooks: Paddle 31 in "Paddling Connecticut and Rhode Island"

Website: Blackstone Heritage Corridor National Park - Get On the River Page, with links to various maps and related information

Ecological, Cultural & Recreational Attractions:

The Blackstone Valley Bikeway runs right past this site.

Photographs:

Take out above Albion Dam

Photography by: Bruce Hooke

Date of Photograph: October 3, 2007

The take out above the Albion Dam.

Below Albion Dam

Photography by: Bruce Hooke

Date of Photograph: October 3, 2007

This is what the river looks like just below Albion Dam when the river is quite low. This section of the river can be avoided by carrying a bit further down the bike path.

Paddling under the Albion Bridge

Photography by: Bruce Hooke

Date of Photograph: October 3, 2007

Paddling under the historic truss bridge at Albion

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