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Blackstone River at Mendon Road (Route 122)

41° 54.653' N    71° 24.246' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

Google Maps is the mapping system used on the new ExploreRI mapper and shows the access site located on a terrain view, a street map or an aerial photograph. Clicking on this link will take you to the full Google Maps website, which is not part of ExploreRI.
Map Server shows a topographic map of the area. The Map Server website is not part of ExploreRI.org.
Acme Maps shows the access site located on a topographic map. The Acme Maps website is not part of ExploreRI.org.

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

Description & Overview:

This site provides good access to the Blackstone River below the Pratt Dam. So, it is good place to put in for a paddle down to the take out at Central Falls Landing. This is only a 1.7 mile paddle but on the way you can explore the many coves and backwaters in the Lonsdale Marsh, which can extend your trip by quite a bit. The river is definitely moving in this area (trying to paddle upstream would be quite hard) but it is broad and smooth.

If you have managed to make the difficult portage around Pratt Dam or the long carry from the Front Street bike path access site to the river then this boat launch also provides a useful take out if you do not want to continue downstream from here.

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

Location:

Town: Cumberland

Nearest Town Center: Lonsdale

Driving Landmarks: The site is in a Super Stop & Shop Plaza on Mendon Road (Route 122) at the junction with Ann & Hope Way/Mill Street. Pull into the parking lot at the opposite end of the plaza from the Stop & Shop and find a parking space. Look for a gap in the guard rail on the other side of the entrance road. Go through this gap to the bike path just beyond, turn right and go about 200 feet. Look for a dirt path leading off to the left. Follow this path 100 feet to the river.

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: Low sand, gravel, and dirt bank. When the river is low, there is a nice gravel bar here to launch from. At higher water levels you can launch from the bank.

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 400 feet

Parking:

Parking: yes

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? yes

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: Restrooms should be available at some of the stores in the area.

Outfitter: Blackstone Valley Outfitters ( http://www.bvori.com ), located across the river at 25 Carrington St., Lincoln rents boats and provides guided tours and lessons.

Sources for More Information:

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

Website: A detailed map and guide put out by the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor with information about the river and bike path between Ashton and Central Falls

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

Ecological, Cultural & Recreational Attractions:

This site is right on the Blackstone River Bikeway.

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Submitted by: Foodme0; May 3, 2017; 11:08 am

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Rating:

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The data on this website come from many sources, including volunteers and organizations across the state of Rhode Island and nearby parts of Massachusetts. We have done our best to make sure the data are accurate and up to date, but any information critical to the success of your trip should be confirmed before you start. The maps and information on this website should not be substituted for nautical charts, topographic maps, or other more detailed maps and guides. We welcome corrections and additions. To send a correction or provide other feedback, please use our feedback form (see link above).

This site report was last updated on May 29, 2013

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