What's happening on the Blackstone River? Click here to find out!
MA Towns in the Blackstone River Watershed:
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Attleboro
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Auburn
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Bellingham
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Blackstone
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Boylston
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Douglas
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Franklin
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Grafton
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Holden
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Hopedale
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Hopkinton
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Leicester
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Mendon
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Milford
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Millbury
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Millville
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North Attleboro
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Northbridge
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Oxford
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Paxton
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Plainville
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Shrewsbury
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Sutton
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Upton
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Uxbridge
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Webster
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West Boylston
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Westborough
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Worcester
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Wrentham
Major Tributaries:
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The Quinsigamond West River
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Mumford River
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Mill River
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Peters River
Organizations working in the Blackstone River watershed
Blackstone Watershed Collaborative
Blackstone River Watershed Council
Blackstone Headwaters Coalition
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Deputy Director for PolicyMass Rivers is currently seeking a Deputy Director of Policy. Please click here for a detailed job description and instructions for how to apply.
What Are People Saying?
"I visited the DCR’s Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park on a Saturday morning as the summer heat was ramping up. It was clear from seeing families at picnic tables and couples walking along the path that others had similar hopes of finding reprieve from the stale indoor heat. I crossed Hartford Avenue to begin with a hike on Goat Hill Trail, a meandering path through wooded area where the sounds of cars were soon replaced by the calling of birds above. With the Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s self-guided Blackstone Canal Walking Tour in hand, I came upon a large stone still studded with the tools of a stone cutter. It was amazing to see this moment preserved and to be reminded of the river’s historical significance."
-Rachel Percy, Mass Rivers Intern
On a highly recommended place to explore on or along the river: "The Blackstone Gorge at the MA/RI state line is beautiful and has a terrific trail along the gorge."
-Donna Williams (Watershed Advocate, Blackstone River Coalition)
Blackstone River Activities
Swimming
Hike, Walk, Bike
Paddling
Boating & Sailing
Fishing
Swimming
Swimming in the Blackstone River is not advised.
Walking, Hiking, Biking
Walking and hiking locations:
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Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park (Uxbridge)
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Address is 287 Oak St. , Uxbridge, MA 01569.
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Click here for a map that shows walking trails.
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Free parking is available.
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Purgatory Chasm State Reservation (Sutton)
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Address is 198 Purgatory Rd. , Sutton, MA 01590.
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Accessible restrooms.
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Click here for a map guide.
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Daily parking fee charged Memorial Day weekend through October 31.
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$5 for MA residents, $20 for non-MA residents.
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Upton State Forest (Westborough)
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Address is 205 Westborough Road, Upton, MA 01568.
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Click here for a trail map.
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Free parking.
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Douglas State Forest (Wallum)
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Address is 107 Wallum Lake Road, Douglas, MA 01516.
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Click here for a trail map.
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Daily parking fees: $9 for MA residents; $30 for non-MA residents.
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Accessible restrooms and beaches.
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Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary (Worcester)
Biking locations:
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The Blackstone River Greenway and Bikeway (Worcester - Providence)
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With over 17 miles already constructed, the vision is for it to extend 48 miles from downtown Worcester, MA, to India Point Park in Providence, RI.
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Learn more about the construction of the Greenway and Bikeway here. This site includes a map depicting parking lots along the Greenway and Bikeway.
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Public Transportation: Take the 1, 4, or 11 bus to the Tobias Boland and Blackstone River Road stop. The bikepath is located close-by.
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Paddling
Paddling locations:
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DCR’s Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park
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Click here for a map created by the MA DCR that shows canoe access sites.
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Plummer’s Landing to River Bend Farm (Northbridge):
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Park in the Church Street parking area for the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park and put in on river right just below the bridge. The area around the Church Street Bridge is called Plummer’s Landing. Click here for a pdf version of the paddling guide.
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Intermediate tour.
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River Bend Farm (Uxbridge):
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Put-in is at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center in the Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, MA. Click here for a pdf version of the paddling guide.
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Beginner and intermediate tours.
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River Bend Farm to Blackstone Gorge (Uxbridge):
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Put-in is at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center in the Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, MA. Click here for a pdf version of the paddling guide.
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Intermediate tour.
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Blackstone Gorge to Millville Lock (Blackstone):
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Follow signs off of Route 122 in Blackstone to the Blackstone Gorgeon County Street in Blackstone. The put-in is a short walk from the parking area to just above the Rolling Dam (1886). Click here for a pdf version of the paddling guide.
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Beginner tour.
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Click here for a pdf version of the paddling guide created by the Quinsigamond River Stream Team.
Boating & Sailing
Boating locations:
Motorboats are not allowed on the river (with very few exceptions).
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Wallum Lake in Douglas State Forest allows both motorized and non-motorized boating and access to the lake via boat ramp.
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Address is 107 Wallum Lake Road, Douglas, MA 01516.
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Daily parking fees: $9 for MA residents; $30 for non-MA residents.
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Accessible restrooms and beaches.
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Fishing
Fishing information:
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For up-to-date information on fishing (Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River), visit the Blackstone River Coalition website.
Fishing locations: