Switch Road Wood River Access

41° 29.61' N    71° 42.947' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This is a site for launching hand-carried boats such as canoes or kayaks.

Description & Overview:

This recently rebuilt put-in is a now an excellent canoe and kayak launch. There is a nice paved pull out for parking and a short gravel path leading down to the gently sloping riverbank. Rebuilding the launch was a partnership effort involving the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, RI DEM, and RI DOT.

There is a handicapped parking space and the trail down to the river is designed to be wheelchair accessible but there is not a dock or other structure to provide handicapped access to boats.

Since the river below here is narrow and the banks wooded, downed trees across the river are always a possibility and such trees may force you to portage a short distance to get around the tree(s). The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association does yearly blow down clearing in the river, with the help of grants and donations from fellow river users. Blowndown clearing is only done in the summer, or during low flow season, when it is safe to do so. This usually means not until June, July or August.

The Wood River below here is quiet, wooded, and scenic. Much of the river in this stretch is narrow and winding, but as you get closer to the Woodville Dam the river broadens out into a marshy pond, before narrowing down again for the final 1/4 mile before the dam. The Woodville Dam, 4.5 miles downriver from this put-in, can be portaged by taking out on the right above the dam, carrying across the bridge, and putting in on the left bank below the dam.

From Woodville Dam it is another 2 1/2 miles to the take out at Alton Pond.

The Wood-Pawcatuck River Guide is highly recommended for paddling on the Wood-Pawcatuck River system.

This area is stocked with trout several times throughout the year.

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

Location:

Town: Hopkinton

Nearest Town Center: Hope Valley

Driving Landmarks: From Interstate 95 north or south take exit 3B for Route 138 west (Hope Valley/Wyoming). Half a mile on route 138 will bring you to the merge with Route 3. Merge onto Route 3 south and go 1 mile. Bear right onto Mechanic Street south and go 0.9 miles. Look for a pull out on the left 500 feet south of the I-95 overpass.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: 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

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? no

Shoreline: Gently sloping gravel and grass riverbank

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 75 feet

Parking:

Parking: yes: 6 spaces

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? yes

Nearby Amenities:

Outfitter: URE Outfitters on Route 3 in Hope Valley sells camping gear. Hope Valley Bait on Route 138 in Hope Valley rents canoes.

Sources for More Information:

AMC River Guide: 4th Edition, page 138 - 141

AMC Quiet Water Canoe Guide: 2nd Edition, page 204

Other Guidebooks: Paddle 24 in "Paddling Connecticut and Rhode Island"

Website: How to order the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association's River Guide

Website: USGS River Gauge on the Wood River below Hope Valley Dam (1/3 mile above this put-in)

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