Put-Ins

DISCLAIMER
These put-ins were legal to use (as and when specified) when the descriptions were written. However, due to the vagaries of federal law, local ordinances, erosion, wind/wave conditions and other factors, we cannot ensure that you will not encounter legal issues when using these locations or that they will be safe for you, your vehicle or for launching and landing at all times. It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of these sites for yourself.

Massachusetts

Boston Harbor MA
City Point Beach is in South Boston and is directly on Dorchester Bay across from Thompson Island. Directions: 93 south to Columbia Rd. exit -- Left at the end and go to and straight thru the rotary -- You're now on Day Blvd. (State Police station on you right) -- Follow past the L. St. bathhouse and the old Kelly's landing. The put-in is the sandy beach on your right.

Schraft's Boat Ramp is located at the end of the parking lot at Schraft's Center in Charlestown. It provides access to the lower Mystic River where you can paddle out to Boston Inner Harbor with easy access to the Charles River Locks, the USS Constitution and the rest of the busy urban port scene.

President's Landing is further up the Mystic River from Schraft's, halfway to Medford.

Chatham
The Cape is best tackled in the spring or fall to avoid the hoards. Monomoy is an excellent area to paddle with lots of wildlife including seals and lots of birds. Good navigation skills are important, as the shore line shifts from year to year and most maps and charts are very inaccurate. Charts may show islands which no longer exist and there may be large islands which are not on the charts. Harding Beach is a good off-season put-in. Otherwise, look for the boat ramp. From Boston, take 93 south to Route 3 south. Take Route 3 to the Sagamore Bride to Route 6. From Route 6 take exit 10, Route 24 South to Route 28 in Harwich to Chatham.

Mill Pond Road - In Chatham center, continue straight on Main Street to Mill Pond Road on right, about .5 mile. The landing is at the end. Parking is on the road and is limited.

Harding Beach- From Main Street in Chatham, continue on Route 28 until the intersection of 28 and 137, turn right on Barn Hill Road. After 0.4 mile, turn right on Harding Beach Road, the town landing and the beach are at the end.

Morris Island Causeway
From the Sagamore Bridge – take route 6 to exit 11, Route 137 South. Take a left at the end of the ramp – then take an IMMEDIATE left onto Pleasant Bay Road. Follow almost 2 miles (going straight at 1st stop sign) to end and turn right onto Route 28 towards Chatham. Follow 3 _ miles to traffic light:

Straight through lights onto Shore Road. You’ll pass Chatham Bars Inn (last chance bathroom), continue to the lighthouse. Once there, bear slightly left at the end of the parking lot onto Morris Island Road. Watch the right hand side – Morris Island Road takes a right hand turn (and so should you). Take a left at the stop sign at the end. Go to the end of the causeway where you will see a sign for Monomoy refugee on the left and make a u-turn and park along the side of the road.

Cohasset
Parker Avenue ramp – From Boston, get on Route 3 south to exit 14, Route 228 north (left) to Hingham. Continue for 6.7 miles to intersection with Route 3A, turn right and proceed on 3A for 2.0 miles to Sohier Street in Cohasset. Turn left on Sohier and drive 1.2 miles to Main Street.
Right on Main for 0.3 miles and then slight left on Elm Street, 0.3 miles to Border Street. Slight right on Border and drive 0.6 winding miles, over bridge, to Parker Avenue. Turn left on Parker Avenue and proceed to the ramp at its end. Parking is OK there only off-season (outside Memorial Day - Labor Day weekends), but don't use the double trailer slots, even with two cars. In season, unload gear and then park on Border Street west of the bridge or stack cars in the upper, unpaved section of the parking lot of Bancroft Hall (aka Lightkeeper's Residence) -- out Parker, right on Border, about .3 miles around big rocks to Lighthouse Lane, right and bear right up the hill and follow signs to the lot). There is a footpath from the bottom of the parking lot back to the ramp. If you expect more than a few cars, call Bancroft Hall well in advance for permission -- 781-383-1433 for a return call within a day or two.

Essex
Essex town boat ramp is the standard put-in for the Essex Bay (Essex is a small place and it's hard to miss.) Parking at the boat ramp is for residents only, parking is behind the fire station (going north, just up the road take the left fork, and the fire station is a couple hundred feet on the left). There is no parking for non-residents at the boat ramp EVEN IN WINTER. We learned the hard way. Take Rt. 95 to exit 54, Rt. 133 east through Ipswich. Follow until Essex center and Route 22 intersection bear left on Route 133 and the public launch is on your left. Alternatively, take Route 128 to exit 14, drive west on Route 133 about four miles to the public launch. Look for the ERBA sign on your right.

Falmouth - Waquoit Bay
Town Landing - From Boston Take I-93 south to Route 3 south. Drive Route 3 south across the Sagamore Bridge. From the Sagamore Bridge, drive on Route 6 to Exit 2 (Route 130). Drive on Route 130 south to the junction of Route 28 In Mashpee. Take a right on Route 28 and Drive into Falmouth. Watch for Edwards Boat Yard on your left. Turn left on White's Landing Road which is right next to Edwards Boat yard. There is a big dirt parking lot for boaters at the junction of Route 28 and White's Landing Road. The launching ramp is at the end of White's Landing Road. Allow plenty of time to get here! Note that it is approximately 1 hour from the Sagamore Bridge – allow for traffic.

Some notes from an NSPN member:
“ Launching here puts you into the Childs River. Turn right and go downriver a short ways, then take a sharp left and go around the headland and up a channel between the mainland and Washburn Island, which will be on your right. Going up the channel there will be boats in slips on your left. Once you get up the channel to the end of the island you can turn right to enter Waquoit Bay. I have mostly explored along the shore of Washburn Island(West side of the Bay). There are some gorgeous, unspoiled beaches to land on. In the summer/fall it is great to go swimming there. About a third of the way down the bay towards the exit channel there is a sand spit that sticks out from the island. There can be choppy confused water here and it can be very shallow but nothing particularly hazardous. The conditions in the bay vary a lot; it can get pretty windy and choppy but it is protected from the ocean swell on Nantucket Sound. As you go down the bay you will see the markers for the campsites on the island. At the end of the bay there is a barrier beach, part of the island. There is a cove on your right (SW corner of the bay) with an inlet/pond. You can drag your boat across when you run out of water and put back into the Eel River, then go back up that stream to the launch site. Alternatively, if the ocean conditions are suitable, you can go out through the inlet channel, which is East of the cove with the inlet and pond. Once you are out there, you are on Nantucket Sound. You can go either left or right and check out the beaches. If you have good surf skills you can land on these ocean beaches. If you go right and intend to return via the Eel/Childs River, plan to stay off-shore. There are lots of submerged rocks and a shallow bar as you get to the river entry. Ferry towards the rock jetty in the distance, as the swell and prevailing SW winds will push you towards the beach. Go quite close to the jetty before turning so you avoid the rocks and shallow sand bar and can enter via the deep channel.There is a fork in the channel soon after you enter; to go back up the Childs River to the launch site take the right fork. I think the left fork is called the Eel River.

Gloucester & Cape Ann
There are several launch sites in and around Gloucester.

Corliss Landing – Take Route 128 N to Route 127 North, in about 0.25 mile, take a slight left onto Wheeler Street and then a left onto Apple Road.

Gloucester High School – Dunfudgin Landing – Take Route 128 to exit 14 in Gloucester, turn right onto Route 133 east. Drive 2.9 miles on Route 133 to Route 127. Turn left onto Route 127 and drive over the Blynman Canal Bridge. Turn left at light, Centennial Avenue. Gloucester High School is just 0.15 miles farther on left.

Greasy Pole – Take Route 128 N to exit 14, turn right onto Route 133 east. Drive 2.9 miles on Route 133. Turn left onto Route 127 and drive 0.4 mile to the public landing on right. Small parking lot at the landing and street parking along the beach. . More info on "Greasy Pole".

Lanes Cove on Cape Ann is on the northwest side of the Cape, providing a starting point for exploring the Annisquam or rounding Halibut Point to get to Rockport and the Dry Salvages. Take Route 128 to the rotary at exit 11, from the rotary head up Route 127 (turn left at the circle), past Annisquam, the UMASS Marine Station and continue. 4.5 miles to Duley Street. Turn left and follow Duley Street 0.1 mile to cove; park anywhere that doesn't block the road. Launch from the head of the cove and then park either in the main lot or back up on the main road - walking distance varies with the tide.

Long Wharf Town Landing – Take route 128 to Exit 13, Concord Street. At end of ramp, left on Concord for 0.8 mile. Turn right onto Atlantic Street (signed for Wingaersheek Beach) and drive 0.8 mile to the Long Wharf Town Landing on the right – free parking at the landing.

Hingham
Hingham Harbor Park - From Route 3 south, take exit 14 for Route 228 north. This follows through Hingham for a while with a lot of turns but it is pretty well marked. At the intersection of Route 3A, turn left onto Route 3A north. Go through a rotary and stay on 3A north. Go through a set of lights and past a small marine store on the right (they usually have some sit on top kayaks out front).

Hull
Windmill Point is an excellent put-in which starts you right in the center of the greater Boston Harbor. From here all the Boston Harbor Islands are within about four miles. Be aware that Hull Gut has strong current and a lot of small boat traffic. You can put in on either side of the point. The hard part is getting there -- a good map is recommended. To get to Hull from the city, follow route 3A to Hingham Harbor. At the traffic circle take the second exit onto Summer St. Bear left at the fork and you are on your way into Hull. If you are taking Rt. 3, take exit 15 (or 14) and follow Rt. 228 north for the rest of the trip. Once in Hull, follow the main road (228) all the way to the very end where you can park at the high school.

Ipswich -Pavilion Beach/Plum Island MA
Pavilion Beach is located where Plum Island Sound opens into Ipswich Bay. From here you can explore Plum Island, several tidal rivers, Crane Beach on Castle Neck, or perhaps paddle as far as Cape Ann. The beach is open to the sea, and you can get dumping surf. The currents are strong but manageable. To get there, go to Ipswich (from Rt. 95 to the west, take exit 54 onto Route 133 east; from Route 128 to the south, take exit 20 onto Route 1A north). Continue through Ipswich on Route 1A/133 east, just 0.6 miles to a bend in road and continue through the center of Ipswich. At that bend, continue straight onto County Road. 0.9 miles on County, bear left onto Jeffreys Neck Road. 1.7 miles further, take the right fork onto Little Neck Road, continue on for _ mile to Pavilion Beach. The strip of land between Great Neck and Little Neck is Pavilion Beach. Launching is permitted at the beach’s north end.

DO NOT LAND at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge:
The Refuge rangers want to reduce the number of boaters that illegally land on Refuge areas. Launching or landing a boat on the Refuge is a violation of Federal regulations. All nautical charts make note that it is a violation to land on the Refuge beach, but also marsh areas are protected as well. This includes Grape Island, Middle Ground, Nelson Island, or any other marsh areas within the Refuge boundary. The Refuge is a place to protect wildlife and its habitat, and marsh areas provide critical feeding and nesting sites. Avoid disturbing the refuge and the possibility of receiving a fine; the rangers take their job seriously.

Manchester MA
The public landing behind the police station is the preferred put-in for Manchester which provides access to Misery Island and beyond. Tuck's Point is another possibility, although parking is technically for residents only. Parking is generally not a problem in the off season, but please respect the private parking at the yacht club.

Masconomo Park - To get to Manchester take Route 128 north to exit 16 (Pine St.) for 1.4 miles to Rt.127, turn left onto 127 and drive 0.3 miles to intersection of Summer and Beach Streets. Continue straight on Beach 0.1 mile to Masconomo Park. Non residents can park in the middle of the lot – this is a very busy lot and if parking isn’t available, drop the boat off and parking the lot at the commuter train station – just a short walk away.

Tuck's Point-Since 1999 this excellent launch site has no parking for nonresidents. To determine current policy, contact Manchester Police. To get there, follow directions above to intersection of route 127 and Pine Street. Turn right onto Route 127 and then left on Harbor Street. Then 0.2 mile turn left onto Tucks Point Road. Continue for 0.25 mile to large unpaved lot. Launch from the beach between the Rotunda and the Yacht club. Turn right on 127 (south), left on Harbor St., left again at end. As you enter the Yacht Club parking area, go all the way over to the left and to the back by the trees. Park and put-in there.

Marblehead
Riverhead Beach/ Deveraux Beach-Take Route 128 to exit 25, Route 114 east to Marblehead. Take a right on Ocean Ave at the Fire Station. Follow Ocean Ave to where you can see the beach parking lot in front of you. As the horizon opens on your right, Deveraux Beach will be dead ahead and Riverhead will be on your left (very small driveway).

Riverhead will give you direct access to the harbor and Salem Sound, although at low tide you'll have to carry for a hundred yards or so- of gravel, shells and sand – it is drivable. Also, please note, in the summer the town charges beach parkers $5.

Deveraux will give you access to the open ocean, the Swampscott coast, and Nahant Bay beyond. You will have no sheltered waters to hide in if the weather goes bad. Parking is $5 in the summer and there is a public restroom and snack bar accessible from both areas. Off season only as lifeguards don’t allow launching.

Village (Rockett) Landing - will give you access to Salem Harbor and beyond to Salem Sound. Follow 114 east to West Shore Dr. (Gatchell Playground). Follow Westshore Dr. to first set of lights at Village St. Take a left and follow to the end. Unload your gear at the end and park your car in the lot just 100 ft. behind you. The parking is free.

Nahant
MDC Bathhouse on the Lynn Harbor side of the Nahant causeway. Take the Lynnway (Rt. 1A) to Carroll Parkway to Nahant Rotary and, then, either Nahant Causeway to boat launch and Long Beach at Nahant Beach Reservation, or, Lynn Shore Drive to Red Rock Park and King's Beach at Lynn Shore Reservation.

Orleans
Meeting house pond in East Orleans on Barley neck road. There is parking for about 20 vehicles and you can launch from either the beach or the dock. This is a nice safe area to launch from you need to traverse, meeting house pond, then the meeting house river to get out to the north end of little pleasant bay. Exit 12 off of route 6.

Follow the signs to Nauset Beach. Take the right fork at the Barley Neck Inn. Take the next right fork 100 yards later. The landing is about a 1/3 of a mile on the right.

At the end of Nauset Heights road is a beach to launch from to get out into Nauset Harbor. It's also an easy paddle over to Nauset inlet or back to town cove. I like to take my boat over and sit in the standing waves as they mix with the ocean waves. There is room to park about 10 cars, there's a small parking lot tucked just off the turn around. On occaision the Nauset parking staff has been excited, in a bad way, that I had boats on the roof. They made it clear I could not launch from the beach, but this may have changed. I haven't bothered to try since the paddle over from the end of the heights is so short. Exit 12 off route 6 follow the signs to Nauset Beach. Just past the Ships Knees Inn turn left (the ocean is visible further up the road) onto Nauset Heights road. Go all the way to the end of the road.

Rockport
Front Beach is a good off-season put-in right in Rockport. Expect parking tickets in the summer. Take Rt. 128 through the second rotary to Eastern Ave. (Rt. 127) where you turn left. Follow 127 until the 4 way fork then continue straight. When you reach the ocean, you're there.

Pebble Beach
Take Route 128 north to Gloucester through both rotaries and down to the first traffic light where you take a left onto Eastern Ave. At one mile, towards Rockport, is a Shaw's Supermarket parking lot, turn right on Barn Rd., at the end of the lot, and drive

down to Thatcher's Road, Rt.127A, and turn left. Travel 2.5 miles towards Rockport, and up ahead you will see Turk's Head Inn. Turn right before the inn and bear right and continue down until you see the ocean. Just as you come to the end there is a road to your left that takes you along Pebble Beach called Penzance Rd. Pull all the way to the east end of the beach. For Mapquest directions, use Penzance Road.

WARNING! Penzance road has been subject to severe erosion in the past few years and has frequently been impassable or closed. When it’s open, there are also issues with parking in-season.

Salem
Winter Island is operated by the City of Salem from May 1-Oct. 31, parking is $5.00. There are camping, restroom and shower facilities here. This is a good location if you're a solo or beginning paddler, providing shoreline viewing of Beverly and Marblehead depending on your direction. Take Route 128 to exit 25, 114 to Salem continue to intersection with 1A and turn right. Follow signs to Salem Willows and Waterfront. When 1A turns left, continue straight onto Fort Avenue. Continue to its split at Winter Island Road and turn right. Follow signs for Winter Island Park. Boat ramp is at the south end of park. Alternatively you can launch from the beach near Fort Pickering light.

Dead Horse Beach/Salem Willows –this launch site will provide access to the Danvers River (tidal run) and a quick trip across the channel to Beverly and Manchester. A common trip is here to Misery Island and back for a day trip of 10-12 miles. This put-in is not open to paddlers during beach days in June/July/August. To get here, follow directions above but continue past the entrance to Winter Island on your right, take the next left at the ball field. Dead Horse Beach is on the other side of the field. Parking is free and plentiful.

The Friendship - There is a small beach to the left of this ship which can be used as a put in. It is federal property given that it is park of the National Park system, but there are no signs saying you can't launch from here. I have done so many, many times with rangers present and they haven't said anything to me. Couple of issues involve limited parking, a small portage to the water and no water at low tide. Good for putting in early and for those who can trasport their kayaks to the water using a wheel system. Follow Rt. 114 into Salem, take a left on Norman Street. Follow Norman Street through the lights where it becomes Derby street. Follow Derby Street approximately 3/4 of a mile past Pickering Wharf to the Friendship. On street parking only.

Scituate
From Boston, take 93 south to exit 7, Route 3 south. Stay on Route 3 South to Route 53 north, exit 13 toward Norwell/Hingham, turn right onto Route 123. Immediately after crossing over Route 3A bear to the right passing through several road islands. After passing a golf course on the left you will see the parking lot for the boat ramp on the right. Park in the upper section and carry down to the ramp. The Little Herring River provides access to the mouth of the North River where current and surf can be a bit treacherous

Swampscott
Fisherman's Beach- located on Humphrey Street, just west of the Dory Club and Pier. It's the only harbor in town with boats in it. Take 114 east through Salem until it joins with 1A south to Swampscott and becomes Lafayette Street. Turn right onto Maple Street and then left onto Humphrey Street.

Immediately after the marine store there will be a large parking lot on the right. Pull in there and park near the beach.

Welfleet Harbor
Follow route 6 to the Orleans Rotary and continue towards Eastham / Provincetown. Once you enter Wellfleet (after Eastham and before Truro), Look for Jack’s Boat Rentals and a marine store on the right side. At the lights just after Jack’s take a left (There is a sign that reads Wellfleet Harbor / Wellfleet Center) this is Main Street. Follow 0.3 miles and take (bear) a left onto East Commercial Street. This turns into Commercial Street. Follow for _ mile to Wellfleet Town Harbor and Marina.

As you drive into Wellfleet Harbor, the town pier will be directly in front of you. (There are rest rooms to the left next to the harbor master (last chance b4 the put in).

Take a right on Chequessett Neck Road (after Captain Higgen’s Restaurant). Follow Chequessett Neck Road exactly 1 mile (it winds around, you will pass Mayo Beach and some cottages) on the Left will be the entrance into Power’s Landing (there is a very small green sign that marks this). If you pass Chequessett Country Club on the right – you have gone too far – turn around.

Winthrop
Explore Belle Island Marsh - the OLDEST existing marshland in the United States. It is fun to paddle around the airport - water quality not great - don't want to spill - around Deer Island treatment plant and then up along the coast past north end of Winthrop, Revere beach (the oldest public beach in US) to Nahant and around then around Nahant. Take Route 1A north from Logan Airport about 1.5 miles to Route 145 (just south of Suffolk Downs). Turn right on Route 145 to Pleasant Street. Right on Pleasant (still following signs for 145). At intersection of Shirley Street and Route 145, turn right and follow Shirley Street 0.4 mile to the Winthrop Harbor Boat Ramp on the right. Free parking.

New Hampshire

Dover/Hilton Park
The boat ramp at the tip of Dover Point (Hilton Park) provides easy access to Little Bay, the upper Piscataqua River, and the Salmon Falls River. From Rt. 95 heading north, take exit 4 on to the Spaulding Turnpike (Hwy 16). After you cross the bridge, take the first exit to the boat ramp.

Portsmouth Harbor
Pierce Island in Portsmouth is a popular public boat ramp. During summer months, non-residents are charged a small fee. Get off Rt. 95 at exit 7 and follow the signs to Strawberry Bank. The turn for Pierce Island is just past the gardens on the left side of Marcy St. There's a small sign marking it. You can typically park free here off-season, but there’s a small fee in-season.

Rye Harbor
This is the usual put-in when paddling to the Isle of Shoals. It is a State Boat Ramp with a parking and launching fee. From Massachusetts, go Northeast on Route 95 to New Hampshire (Portions toll) to Exit 2 - State Rte 51/101. Go Southeast on State Rte 51/101 to US 1 at Hampton Beach. Go Northeast on US 1A past Rye Beach to Rye Harbor - you will be along the coast for about 7 miles or so - enjoy the view.

Seabrook/Hampton Harbor
There are several places in Hampton Harbor to put in, but only one that has free parking. It is about 20 yards from parking lot to water. This gives access to a large marsh area, Hampton/Seabrook Harbor and Hampton/Seabrook Beaches. At high tide it is a large lake while at low tide there are many channels to follow. Going under the bridge to the ocean can be a little rough depending upon the tide and winds.

Directions: Take Rt95 to Rt286 (exit 60 -last exit in Mass.). Follow Rt286 east until it ends at the intersection of Rt1A. Turn left on to Rt1A. After the first traffic light and before the "Fishing Co-Op" there is a public parking lot on the left side. The parking lot faces Seabrook Harbor and there is easy access to a small beach.

Seavey Creek/Odiorne
A popular put-in in the Portsmouth area (Rye, NH) is Seavey Creek, just before Odiorne State Park. From the North or West, head S on Rte 1 at the traffic circle. Travel 2.0 miles(you will cross Sagamore Creek), and turn left onto Elwyn Road at the traffic light. Travel 1.4 miles to Foyes Corner, and proceed straight on Rte. 1A (Pioneer Rd) for 1.1 miles to Seavey Creek. There is free, sometimes congested parking on the near side of the Creek, and the launch is muddy. A $5 parking/launch fee is charged at the lot on the far side of the Creek, but there is a gradual cement launching surface.

Maine

Portland
East End Beach – Eastern Promenade- This launch site provides access to the harbor and islands in western Casco Bay. Take 95 N to 295 which takes you through Portland. Get off on exit 7 (not sure if there is an a or b but you will see signs for waterfront and also Casco Bay Terminals) Franklin Street - follow Franklin until you come to a left on Fore Street, follow that until you come to the park - Eastern Promenade on your right. You need to unload at the bathrooms and carry the boats to the sandy beach. Then park your car in the upper lot. Bathrooms are available. Kayaks cannot be launched from the middle commercial ramp. Use East End Beach as a put-in for Peaks Island. In order to avoid ferry traffic, paddle first to Gorges Island, then to the southern tip of Little Diamond Island, then to the ferry pier on the west shore of Peaks Island. Maine Island Kayak Company is a few blocks from that pier.

Casco Bay
Sandy Point Beach, Cousins Island – From this Casco Bay put-in, one can travel south, around Cousins, and just about see the normal Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) starting point; or go north then east and out through the Royal River channel. ... or a zillion other directions through the islands.
Take I-295 through Portland, get off on Exit 15 and take route 1 north, turn right onto Portland Street, then take a right onto route 115/88, follow 88 until you can take a left onto Princess Point Road which will shortly merge with Gilman Road. Follow Gilman Road till you cross the bridge onto Cousins Island. There is a parking lot on the left immediately after crossing the bridge. Take the paths down to the beach area on the right of the bridge as viewed from the parking lot.

Stonington or Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island:
Follow I-95 all the way north to Bangor, then take I-395 to Brewer. In Brewer then follow 1A directly to Ellesworth, and then Rte. 3 to Bar Harbor.
Stonington:
Follow I-95 to I-395, then take exit 4, Rte. 15 directly to Bucksport, Bluehill and eventually Stonington.

Finding a put-in or parking in Stonington can be difficult. Here are a few suggestions:

Town Landing: this is located in the center of town next to Bartlett’s Market. Note that the dock is 18 inches off the water.

Ramp: Located behind the ferry service. From Main Street, turn onto Bayview, when you reach the ferry parking area, turn right and then left behind the ferry building. NO parking, unload promptly and move vehicle. Don’t park in ferry lot.

Buckmaster Neck - You can park and launch you boat from Old Quarry Charters for a $5/boat launch fee. The launch fee includes parking for the day. Parking is $5 per day after that. Longer term parking rates are available. Directions: From downtown Deer Isle, go south on Rte. 15, take a left at Ron's Mobil towards Oceanville, . Go 7/8 mile and take a right onto fire road #22. Go all the way to end of the road.

Rivers and Lakes

Massachusetts

Boston/Cambridge, MA
The Charles River Basin - (Lower Basin)- provides a different perspective on Boston and Cambridge. From the Basin you can paddle out through the locks and into Boston Harbor. The Basin extends from the locks and can be paddled up to Watertown Square. The Basin sees a lot of traffic from power boats traveling between the Harbor and the yacht clubs which dot the banks. Also watch out for the small sailboats off the Esplanade.

Magazine Beach
Located off Memorial Drive, just east of the B.U. Bridge – from the east, drive west on Memorial Drive past the B.U. Bridge, then change direction by turning around in a parking lot and turning left onto Memorial drive. Driving east on Memorial drive, stay right (don’t go on the overpass), turn right into the parking lot just before the bridge. Drive to the end of the lot. The small beach is adjacent to the ball field. NOTE: This Charles River put-in is NOT at a boat house or picnic area and is NOT at the MDC swimming pool building. It is next to the baseball field which is only accessible from Memorial Drive eastbound. The parking lot is posted for 3 hour max and no after dark parking. The state police in the past have said just put a note on your dashboard if you’re there after dark...that has always worked.

Near Harvard Square, Cambridge or Brighton: From Soldiers Field Road, turn into the riverside parking just west of the bridge connecting Boston with Fresh Pond Parkway near Mt. Auburn Hospital and Buckingham Browne and Nichols School. Short carry across grass to the river. In summer, kayak rentals are available on weekends from a kiosk operated by Charles River Canoe and Kayak.

Near Watertown Square - MDC Boat Ramp (top of the Basin):
From RT. 90 (Mass Pike)
Mass Turnpike (rt. 90) east/west to exit 17 to Watertown Square. Just before you enter the square take a right on Nonantum Rd. Follow to MDC Ice Skating Rink. Just past ice rink is a Soccer Field. Take a left into Parking lot after Soccer field. Boat ramp is at far end of lot.

From Storrow Drive
Follow Storrow Dr. west. to Soldiers Field Rd. west, to Nonantum Rd. It becomes Nonantum Rd. (Brighton) after Brooks St. on your left and the N. Beacon St. Bridge on your right. Follow Nonantum Rd. a couple of hundred feet to large Parking lot on the right just before the soccer field and Ice Rink. Boat ramp is at far end of lot.

Concord
Walden Pond
Walden is a good spot for rescue practices on weekdays. Just south of the main park area is a road down to a boat ramp. The ramp is closed at 8:00 pm or at sunset, whichever comes first. The park rangers usually start chasing people out at ~7:30 and it’s best to cooperate with them. To get there go south on Rt. 126 toward Lincoln from Rt. 2 (or north toward Concord from Rt. 117). The park is obvious.

Hanover
North River -You can ride the tide down to the ocean for roughly 12 miles. Put in at the Hanover Canoe Launch and take out downriver at Mary’s Boat Livery in Marshfield. Best done one-way using a two car shuttle.

Hanover Canoe Launch - From Boston take Route 3 south (towards the Cape) to exit 12, Route 139 in Marshfield and drive west 1.9 miles to Route 53 north. Turn right onto Route 53 and drive 0.8 mile to the first traffic light. Turn left and go 0.2 mile to a fork and bear left onto Elm Street. After 0.5 miles, bear left as the road forks (stay on Elm). After 0.1 mile, reach Luddams Ford Park and turn left onto Indian Head Road. (If you cross a small stone bridge, you have gone too far.) Drive 0.2 mile to the parking lot and launch on the right.

Mary’s Boat Livery, Marshfield – Take Route 3 south to exit 12, Route 139, Drive 1.2 miles east on Route 139 to Furnace Street and turn left. In 0.7 mile, reach 3A. Turn left on route 3A and continue 3.9 miles north to Mary’s Boat Livery on left. (Parking fee.)

Medford
The Lower Mystic Lake - in Medford on the Mystic Valley Parkway is a possible location for flat, fresh water practice sessions. Tufts University Boat House ramp on Mystic Lake, Medford. (It's located off the Mystic Valley Parkway and is convenient to Routes 2, 128, and 93. From 93, take Route 60 West. Stay on Route 60 for about 3 miles until a flashing yellow sign. Turn right onto Sagamore and then at end, take a right onto Mystic Valley Parkway. Watch for the sign for the Tufts boat ramp on the left, less than 0.25 mile.

Merrimac
Lake Attitash - is a small lake where we often set our rescue practices. It's located in Merrimac MA. From I-95, take exit 58, heading west on Route 110. Go about 4 miles until you pass the "Welcome to Merrimac" sign. Just down the hill is Attitash Ave. Follow the road until it ends at the boat ramp.

Natick
Lake Cochituate is another good place for warm water rescue practices. Cochituate has three sections: North, Middle and South. The South Lake is motorboat hell. The North Lake has enforced speed limits and is paddle-friendly. The Middle Lake can be safely paddled, but there is a fair amount of motor boat traffic heading from the boat ramp to the South Lake. The best put-in is from the canoe landing off Rt. 30 on the north side of the road, east of the lake. Charles River Canoe & Kayak has a rental location near the state boat ramp from June to September.

Directions to the car top boat launch area at Lake Cochituate - North Pond:
From the Mass Pike:
Take the Mass Pike Exit 13 (Natick/Framingham). After toll bear left toward Natick. You’ll be on Route 30. Go through the set of lights. Shortly after that you will see the Lake Cochituate State Park entrance on the right. DO NOT ENTER THERE! Keep going about another 1/2 mile, crossing over the Lake and the Pike, until you see a dirt road entrance into the trees on the left. It is not well marked but the gate post has a white “5” on it. This is the car top boat launch area. Turn left onto that road and drive carefully a few hundred yards to the lake. (If you get to the intersection of Route 30 and Route 27 you’ve gone too far.)

Surface Streets:
If you’d rather take Route 30 than the Pike, if you are coming from the west, follow the directions above from the Pike exit. If you are coming from the east, the Lake access road is about _ mile east of Route 27 on the right side just after the Wayland Cemetery entrance. If you go over the Pike and find yourself at the State Park Entrance, you’ve gone too far.

Sudbury, Concord & Assabet Rivers MA
Billerica put-in for the Concord River: River Street Bridge (not listed in AMC MA/CT/RI River Guide (2nd ed), but in between the US3 and MA 3a bridges listed on page 211). From Billerica Center (3a), turn on to River Street and cross over bridge (.7 miles) - parking area is on the left (adjacent road on left is Elsie Ave) - short carry down a small slope to launch area - some shallow rocks make for some maneuvering to get out from bank, but your boat won't float away, and you can get in without even getting your feet wet, if you're careful. It is approximately1.9 miles from this point to the MA Route 4 Bridge upriver, and beginning of Great Meadows

Concord - There's a put-in at the head of the Concord River off Lowell Road just out of Concord center (just up-river from the Old North Bridge). Lowell Road heads north from Concord center towards Carlisle. If you can arrange a shuttle, it's a popular one-way trip down the Sudbury from Rte 117 (see below-Lincoln).

Lincoln -There is a canoe landing on the Sudbury River on Route117. You'll have to carry your gear about 40 yards.

Waltham, MA
The Lakes District of the Charles is the home of Charles River Canoe & Kayak (CRCK) and is heavily paddled. At the turn of the last century, this stretch of water had as many as 5000 canoes plying the waters as day-trippers from Boston headed for the great outdoors. An alternative put-in from the Duck Feeding Station across the river from CRCK on Rt. 30 is the Woerd Street MDC boat ramp in Waltham, just up river from the old Watch Factory. From Route 20 (Main St. Waltham) go south on Moody Street or Prospect Street across the river and turn right at the light. Drive past the old Watch Factory then turn right on Woerd Avenue. The boat ramp is obvious on the right.

Wenham, MA
Chebacco Lake- Another lake used by NSPN for rescue, rolling and general skills practice. Take exit 16 off Rt. 128 and head north for approx. 1.2 miles, then turn right into the parking lot at the boat ramp.

New Hampshire

Squam Lake
Piper Cove / SLA (Squam Lake Association) Headquarters - I93 to exit 24, take Route 3 and 25 east towards Holderness. There is a small roadside convenience store on right, SLA headquarters is 6 miles from exit 24 off the interstate. Check out the SLA site @ www.squamlakes.org.

Other Places of Note

Beverly Sterling YMCA
From Route 128 North or South, take Exit 18 (Route 22, Essex Street).
Take a right off the exit.
Continue on Route 22 (Essex Street) for approximately ½ mile.
The Sterling YMCA will be on your right.

Ipswich YMCA
From Route 128 N or 128 S, take Route 1A North to Ipswich.
In Ipswich you will pass the Whittier Hotel and O'Keefe Chevrolet on your right, and Ipswich Ford on your left.
The YMCA will be immediately on your right.

Chinatown YMCA
From the North:
128 South to 93 South to Exit 20A South Station. Turn slight left onto Purchase St and follow straight to Kneeland St. Turn right on Kneeland St, go 3 blocks and make a left on Washington St. You will pass underneath the hospital and then make a left on Oak St. The YMCA is on the Left

From the South:
93 North to I-90 WEST / WORCESTER / S. STATION. Take the exit on the left towards South Station/Chinatown. Turn Left on Kneeland Street, go 4 blocks and turn left on Washington St. You will pass underneath the hospital and then make a left on Oak St. The YMCA is on the Left.

Lydon Aquatic Center, Danvers MA
NSPN frequently uses Lydon Aquatic Center for our pool sessions. Here are the directions:
• Rt. 128 North to Exit 24, Endicott St. Danvers
• Right at top of exit
• Right at third set of lights (into Liberty Tree Mall)
• Follow road past cinema and medical building
• Lydon Aquatic Center is the small cinder block building on the left.
• Parking is limited and there is a group in the pool ahead of us, there will be plenty of space once they clear out, so please be patient.

Salem YMCA Pool, Salem MA
The Salem YMCA has another swimming pool often used for club pool sessions:
• Rte 128 N to Exit 25E, marked for Rte 114.
• Head east on Route 114 towards Marblehead.
• Go about 2.5 miles (there is a not well marked "S" turn, left then right in what was a construction zone, so watch carefully).
• Go on an overpass over railroad tracks.
• The next side street on the left is Lynde St (one way the wrong way). Next is Weslyn Methodist Church, then the back of the "Y". Turn into the parking lot behind the "Y", just past the church.
• On the right rear side of the "Y" is the entrance to the pool. Pull in, unload your boat and gear, then move your vehicle -- parking in that lot is restricted to tenants. You can park on the street, or turn left as you exit the lot, left at the light, and the first left will be into the "Y" parking lot at the front of the building. Park and come in through the front door. Someone will be at the rear door the staging time to help get boats in.

Hanscom Air Force Base Pool, Bedford MA
1550 Marrett Street, Bedford, MA. From Rt. 95 take exit 31B (Bedford). Bear right to make a left hand turn onto Hartwell Ave. Follow Hartwell Ave until it ends at the Guard Gatehouse the Hanscom Airforce Base. You will need to show a valid driver's license at the gate. Tell the base guard that you are going to the pool for whatever the event is. Once on base, go through the first set of lights and take a left at the 2nd set of lights onto Marrett Street (you will see an airplane surrounded by a circle of flags). Follow Marrett St. past the tennis courts. The pool is on the left. It is housed in a big white bubble structure.

Framingham YMCA Pool, Framingham MA
Take the Mass Pike westbound from 128, to the first exit, Exit 13, "NATICK/FRAMINGHAM".

After the tollbooth (30 cents), take the ramp on the right, towards Framingham. Go two lights (2nd light is just after the new REI). Turn right at the light. This road will make an "S" curve, and end at Old Connecticut Path. Turn LEFT there. The YMCA is one block away, on your right.

You can't miss it. It stands alone on a large property, lots of parking, and is directly across from the Stop and Shop. You can see the pool area through the full length windows and doors to the right. There is parking adjacent to that area which is the best place to park with your boats. Access to the pool is through those doors.

Revised April 2007