Launch Areas Along The Charles
Following is a list of easily accessible launch areas along the Charles River, beginning at Populatic Pond in Norfolk and heading downstream to Magazine Beach in Cambridge. Each listing includes the nearest street or intersection, approximate mileage (on the river) to the next area, a brief description of the downstream trip, and driving directions to the site.
Norfolk / Populatic Pond
Lakeshore drive / Priscilla Ave
0.75mi to River Road Populatic Pond is a shallow pond with a boat ramp off of Lakeshore Drive in Norfolk. Following the shoreline towards the right, you'll find the spot where the Charles leaves the pond. A little farther past this point, you will find where the upstream river enters the pond. Downstream, this section of the river has mostly trees and flowers along both banks, except for a short section with houses on the right bank.
Driving DirectionsNorfolk / River Road
River Road / Myrtle Street
2.5mi to Route 115 This launch site has a nice little beach area to put in at. There are also a couple of nice spots for fishing in the woods alongside the river. Downstream, the Myrtle Street bridge is just around the bend. There is some shallow, fast moving water before and after the bridge. The next bridge, about 1/4 mile downstream, is Pleasant Street. There is also some fast water here. Stay to the right of the little island just before the bridge. In low water, you may even have to carry your boat over the rocks. After another mile or so, you will see the Baltimore Street bridge (Route 115). The next launch area is to the right after the bridge. There is also some shallow, fast moving water here, so stay to the left unless you are going to try to take out here (not necessarily an easy task).
Driving DirectionsMillis / Route 115
Baltimore Street
1.5mi to Forest Road There are quite a few rocks here, and some fast moving water, so be prepared for an immediate "push" downstream. Try to get over toward the left side of the river as soon as you shove off. There are trees along both banks along this next stretch of the river. For the last half mile before the Forest Road Bridge, the CedaRiver Reservation will be on your left. A short distance after you pass under the Forest Road bridge, you will find the next launch area on the left bank.
Driving DirectionsMillis / Forest Road
Forest Road
4.5mi to Dover Road One of my favorite spots to launch as well as just hang around. The parking lot here usually floods over in the spring. This next section is very long and meandering. Heading downstream will take you to Dwight's Causeway, an old carriage road leading into the river meadow off of Causway Street in Millis. A century ago, there was a bridge here going across the river to Dwight Street. A little farther, the Stop River enters the Charles on the right. Another mile or so and you will pass under the Route 109 bridge. There is a spot in this area near 109 that people use for launching, but it is private property and clearly marked with "No Tresspassing" signs. The river winds along for about another mile before coming to the Dover Road bridge. The next launch area is on the right just after the bridge.
Driving DirectionsMedfield / Dover Road (Olde Bridge Street)
Dover Road
2.5mi to Route 27 Located next to the Medfield Wastewater Treatment plant, this area is actually on a very nice stretch of the river. Heading downstream will bring you under an old, wooden railroad bridge and on to Bogastow Brook, on your left, which leads to South End Pond. The Charles River Reservation is on the right after another mile. The next launch area is just before the Route 27 bridge, on the right.
Driving DirectionsMedfield / Route 27
North Meadows Road
2.5mi to Farm Road This area is just before the Sherborn town line. Boats must be carried down the hill on the side of the bridge. As you pass under a railroad bridge, you will be able to see King Phillip's Lookout directly in front of you where the river turns to the right. A little farther, where the river turns to the left again, the old Medfield State Hospital is directly in front of you, through the trees. After approximately another half mile, Rocky Narrows will be on the left. There is a nice beach area to pull out at and some trails through the woods. The next bridge you come to will be Farm Road. The next launch area is on the right after the bridge.
Driving DirectionsSherborn / Farm Road
Farm Road
2.5mi to Route 16 This launch site is very well maintained, with a gravel boat ramp. Heading downstream, the Peters Reservation is immediatey on your right, and after about a mile, the Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary will be on your left. The last 3/4 of a mile or so before the next launch area is very rocky. Extra care must be taken here when the water is shallow. When the river bends to the right and runs parallel to route 16, watch for the next launch area on your left.
Driving DirectionsNatick / Route 16
Eliot Street
less than 1mi to the dam There's really only room for a couple of cars here and the dirt parking area gets very muddy when it rains. Across the river is the famous “praying lady” statue and just downstream a short way from here is the red Sargent foot bridge. If you listen carefully, soon you should be able to hear the water flowing over the South Natick Dam. The next launch area is to the right before the dam.
Driving DirectionsNatick / South Natick Dam
Mill Lane / Pleasant Street
1mi to Elm Bank This is a beautiful area, with the dam, the Pleasant Street bridge, and a little park, complete with a couple of picnic tables and benches overlooking the river. You can put in above or below the dam at the park on Pleasant street. Heading downstream, the river winds around a little peninsula and then under the Cheney bridge at the Elm Bank Reservation. A sign on the Cheney bridge reads "38.9 miles to Boston Harbor". A little farther, there will be a canal on the right. There's a launch area here on the right where the canal meets the river, and another one a few yards into the canal on the right (just before the bridge).
Driving DirectionsDover / Elm Bank
Cheney Drive
4.5mi to Centre Street Elm Bank Reservation has two nice launch areas, one on the little canal near the bridge, and another on the corner, where the canal meets the Charles. This is also a nice area to walk along the river. A little way downstream, Waban Brook and the Waban Arches will be on the left. Another mile or so is the Charles River Street bridge. There is another sign on this bridge that reads "36.8 miles to Boston Harbor". After the bridge is the Bay area where the river forms many small bays you can easily get lost in, at least temporarily. After the river bends to the right and runs parallel to Centre Street, look for the next launch area on your left.
Driving DirectionsNeedham / Centre Street / Central Ave
Centre Street / Central Ave
1mi to the dam This is a small area with room for only a couple of cars. The downstream trip brings you under the Centre Street bridge, then an old railroad bridge and some power lines, and then on to the Cochrane Dam after looping around the Charles River Peninsula. The next launch area is on the left before the Willow Street/South Street bridge. The dam is after the bridge.
Driving DirectionsDover / RedWing Bay
Fisher Street
This area is a few hundred feet before the Cochrane Dam. The actual launch site is lined with flat stones and there is a good size parking area. There is also a small path to walk along the river a little ways. There is another small park across South Street overlooking the dam, but there is no place there to safely take out or put in.
Driving DirectionsDover / Mill Street
Mill Street
3mi to South Street This area is just below the Cochrane Dam. There is a River Guaging Station here, a device across the river that measures the flow rate. Heading downstream, the river is bordered by trees on both sides. After about a mile, you'll pass under the Chestnut Street bridge and then, after another mile and a half, the Dedham Ave (Route 135) bridge. As the river bends to the right, the next launch area is on the left.
Driving DirectionsNeedham / South Street
South Street / Dedham Ave
1.5mi to Needham Street This is a nice shady spot with plenty of parking. There's even a picnic table here. Downstream, you will pass under the Lyons Street / Greendale Ave bridge and then Route 128. About 3/4 of a mile past 128, you will see the Needham Street launch area on the left bank (before the Long Ditch Canal).
Driving DirectionsDedham / Needham Street
Needham Street / Great Plain Ave
4.5mi to Havey Beach This area is just before the beginning of the Dedham Loop, along the bank where the river runs parallel to the road. Heading downstream, you will go past Long Ditch on your left before the river turns South (Long Ditch is a canal connecting the two closest parts of “the loop”, making that part of Dedham inside the loop technically an island). The river winds back and forth for quite a while before coming to a pond. Shortly after you leave the pond, you will pass under Route 109 for the first time. As the VFW parkway comes into view and the river turns North again, Mother Brook will be a little farther on your right. Some water is diverted into the Neponset River through Mother Brook. Shortly after passing under Route 109 again, the next launch area will be on your right.
Driving DirectionsWest Roxbury / Havey Beach
Route 1 / VFW Parkway
1mi to Millenium Park Havey beach was an actual swimming beach many years ago. Although it no longer resembles a beach, there is a small grassy area that gently slopes down to the river where you can put in. Heading downstream, you will pass through Cow Island Pond before coming to the other end of Long Ditch on your left, which if taken, will bring you back towards the Needham Street launch area. After Long Ditch, you will pass under some railroad tracks. The next launch area is just ahead on the right.
Driving DirectionsNewton / Millenium Park
Charles Park Road
2mi to Nahanton Park A large park with a walking trail along the river, baseball fields, and a large playground. The launch area, which is toward the left as you enter the park, is very well maintained. Cutler Park will be on your left all along this next stretch of the river, from here to the Kendrick Street Bridge. The next launch area is to the right, just after the bridge.
Driving DirectionsNewton / Nahanton Park
Nahanton Street / Kendrick Street
1.5mi to Hemlock Gorge This park has a small area with a dock for launching and plenty of parking. Heading downstream will bring you under an old railroad bridge, the Needham Street bridge, and another railroad bridge. Shortly after this second railroad bridge, the Upper Falls playground will be on your right. A little farther is the Eliot Street bridge. The next launch area is after the bridge on the left.
Driving DirectionsNeedham / Hemlock Gorge
Hamilton Place / Eliot Street
1.5mi to Quinobequin Road with 1 portage Hemlock Gorge is at the Silk Mill Dam (there are four dams in the next three miles). Kayaks can be launched above or below the dam. Downstream is Echo Bridge and the Metropolitan Circular Dam which must be portaged. This is a difficult portage, requiring you to carry your boat under Route 9 and into the woods. The next launch area is just a little farther downstream on the right bank.
Driving DirectionsNewton / Quinobequin Road
Quinobequin Road
3mi to Riverside with 2 portages Quinobequin Road runs parallel to the river for about a mile. You'll pass under Route 128 again and then the Cochituate Aquaduct. The Cordingly Dam and the Finlay Dam are still ahead, and both must be portaged. The first portage isn't bad, but the second involves crossing Route 16 (a very busy street). Shortly after passing the Leo J Martin Memorial Gulf Course, you will pass under Route 128. Riverside Park is just ahead on the left.
Driving DirectionsWeston / Riverside Park
Recreation Road
0.5mi to Norumbega Road About 100 years ago, this was a popular recreation area with boathouses and even a restaurant. After launching here, you'll pass under a railroad bridge, a footbridge, and then the Mass Turnpike. After passing under Route 30 (Commonwealth Ave), the next launch area is on the left.
Driving Directions
Weston / Norumbega Road
Norumbega Road
2.5mi to Woerd Ave This area is alongside Route 128, across the river from the Marriot Hotel (Newton) and Charles River Canoe and Kayak. Boats can be rented here (at CRCK) for use on this part of the river. Downstream brings you through the lakes region, by Auburndale Park on your right, and then Mount Feake Cemetary on your left. The next area is just ahead on the right.
Driving DirectionsWaltham / Woerd Ave
Woerd Ave
0.5mi to the dam (Landry Park) A cement boat ramp, a dock, and a large, paved parking lot make this an excellent launch site. There's also a path to walk along the river in both directions. Downstream goes by an old factory building on the right and then under the Prospect Street bridge. Along the left, after the factory, there is a park all the way to the Moody Street bridge. Stay all the way to the left as you go under the bridge. The next launch area is directly in front of you in the little canal. The Moody Street Dam is to your right.
Driving DirectionsWaltham / Landry Park (Moody Street Dam)
Cooper Street / Moody Street
3mi to the Watertown Dam with 1 portage This is a nice little park between the river and the old factory buildings. There are launch areas here both above and below the dam, but there is no good parking. You're better off putting in at Woerd Ave and then portaging around this dam. Downstream, there's a footbridge at the park, then an old railroad bridge, and then the Elm Street bridge. Around the bend, you will then pass under the Newton Street bridge. A little farther there will be another railroad bridge and another footbridge. Just ahead is the Bleachery Dam which must be portaged.
From here, you'll go under the Farwell Street bridge, and then another footbridge. Another half mile or so will bring you to the Bemis (Rolling Stone) Dam which has been breached for many years and can usually be run through. Immediately after this dam is the Bridge Street bridge. From here, it's a long easy stretch to the Watertown Dam. As you approach another footbridge, the next launch area is to the right. Take out just after the footbridge.
Driving DirectionsWatertown / Watertown Dam
California Street
1mi to the MDC Recreation AreaThere is a very nice little park here along the river, above and below the dam. The only parking, however, is on the street for a maximum of two hours. Put in directly to the right of the dam, into the whitewater. A short while after passing under Route 16, the river bends to the left and becomes a bit wider. There are a couple of marina's here in this section. The next launch area is on the right, across from the second marina.
Driving DirectionsBrighton / MDC Recreation Area
Nonantum Road
2mi to Herter Park This area has a large parking lot and a concrete boat ramp, suitable for motor boats. From here, you'll pass under the North Beacon Street bridge and then the Arsenal bridge a little farther. As the river bends to the right and then to the left again, Herter Park will be on your right, between the river and Soldier's Field Road. Take out anywhere along the bank.
Driving DirectionsBrighton / Herter Park
Soldiers Field Road
2.5mi to Magazine Beach This is a large recreation area with a concert stage and a small circular canal. Downstream from here, after passing under the Elliot Bridge, the river loops around to the right. Just before the Larz Anderson Bridge, John F. Kennedy Park is be on the left. This is also where you will begin to see the well known boathouses of the Charles River Basin. Continuing downstream, you will pass under the Weeks footbridge, the Western Ave bridge, and then the River Street bridge. The next launch area will be on the left, just after the next boathouse.
Driving DirectionsCambridge / Magazine Beach
Memorial Drive
2mi to the Esplanade, 3 mi to the Science Park Dam This is a large park along the river with a couple of Baseball fields and a swimming pool (and it's across from a Starbucks). The river begins to get very wide after about a mile. Shortly after launching, you'll pass under the Boston University Bridge and a railroad bridge, at an angle to one another. There's a large boathouse on the left, and a little farther on the right is a small park. Shortly after passing under the Harvard Bridge (Mass Ave), the Esplanade will be on the right side of the river, along Storrow Drive. At the end of the Esplanade is the Hatch Shell and then the Longfellow bridge. From here, it is only a short distance to the Science Park Dam (Boston Museum of Science). To the left of the dam is a small canal, leading to the Cambridgeside Galleria. To the right of the dam is the old lock, which is now permanently open. If you pass through here, under Route 28, North Point Park will be on the left. If you really feel adventurous, you can continue through the active lock system at the New Charles River Dam, and out into Boston Harbor.
Driving Directions