Paddling the Blackstone

The story of the Blackstone River and Canal can be told from many vantage points, but perhaps the best way to experience its history and beauty is on the waterways themselves. The river and canal segments form an interesting and sometimes seamless exploration of the Valley and its industrial heritage where you will discover the dams, canal locks, bridges and other structures that tell the story of “America’s Hardest Working River”. The main stem of the river meanders 46 miles from Worcester, Massachusetts to Providence, Rhode Island through urban landscapes, historic villages, farmlands, and forests. The Blackstone drops an average of almost 10 feet per mile. This drop allowed for the development of the many mills you will see along the way. Today, 18 dams are still in place and presents paddlers with the challenge of several portages in certain stretches of the river. To learn more about where you can paddle on the Blackstone River, visit the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor's website.