Seekonk River Small Boat Launch

41° 50.228' N 71° 22.786' 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 canoe and kayak launch, built in 2020, provides access to the Seekonk River at the widest part of the river, where it's half a mile wide and definitely does not feel much like a typical river. Going north (left) you can paddle up to where the river narrows down at the mouth of the Blackstone River. In about 2 1/2 miles you'll come to the I-95 bridge over the river and then the dam at Pawtucket Falls. Going south (right) takes you towards the narrows, where the Seekonk bends around the south end of Providence, past India Point and into Providence Harbor and the Providence River. It's about 1 1/2 miles from the launch site to the start of the narrows. The tide can rung strongly through the narrows and follows an irregular pattern so use caution in the area of the narrows! A strong wind can kick up waves on the Seekonk, so as always, pay attention to the weather.

The driving access to this launch site is a little confusing. Large "Do Not Enter" signs suggest that you should not driving to the parking area but note the smaller "Kayak Launch Parking Only" sign below one of the "Do Not Enter" signs. See the driving directions for more details.

This site provides access to the following water bodies: Seekonk River.

Location:

Town: Providence

Driving Landmarks: Either follow River Drive north along the river through Blackstone Park or following Irving Avenue east off of Blackstone Boulevard to where River Drive and Irving Avenue meet at the edge of the Seekonk River. There's a sharp bend in the road here. At this bend there's a third road that continues north along the river. This road is on the map as Gulf Avenue but there's no sign to indicate this. Gulf Avenue is closed to traffic and there are multiple "Do Not Enter" signs but there's a smaller "Kayak Launch Parking Only" sign and 5 marked parking spaces along the right side of Gulf Avenue.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: estuary

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

Shoreline: Rubber-surfaced walkway for launching hand carried boats. Adjacent shoreline is rip-rap, brush and trees.

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 20 feet

Hours of Operation: 5am to 9pm

Parking:

Parking: on street, 7 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? yes