Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Charles River - from Dedham MA to Newton MA Rating: Two-and-a-Half Stars - It was a very pleasant surprise to find this section of the Charles River unspoilt in many stretches but with the background of urban life as in traffic noise from unseen roads. I paddled this 6.5 miles trip in 2 hours and 30 minutes. A Boston urban jewel this Charles River.   Put in at Needham Street   in Dedham MA. "Long Ditch" starts   on river left. Take out at dock on Nahanton   Street bridge in Newton MA. Estimated distance   = 6.5 miles.   Millenium Park access   to Charles River Nahanton Park   with public dock Charles River Canoe   & Kayak rentals Mother Brook   Dam Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

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Other resources: Paddilng.net: Charles River Kayak Trip Report Charles River Watershed Association Charles River Canoe & Kayak Rentals Number of original photos on this page : 114 All photos in this website are original and copyrighted. At the Charles River launch on Needham Street in Dedham MA. I only belatedly found this launch site after my paddle trip. I put in from upstream on an informal launch directly off the I-95's Exit 18. Trip date is June 2014. Information plaque at the Needham Street launch. The Boston Kayaker just launched on the Charles River from the Dedham/Needham town line off I-95's Exit 18. Following the river flow, I will be doing a one-way paddle to Nahanton Park in Newton MA. The Needham Street launch area. To my left is the Needham Street bridge. That rush of water flowing is the "short cut". This short-cut is not always navigable as the water may be too low. A lady on a stand-up paddle board. A couple on a canoe on the Charles River. That number "1" I learned later marks points on the "Dedham Water Trail". A family of ducks. Make way for ducklings! A flock of geese on the Charles River. Bridge Street. Passing under Bridge Street bridge in Dedham MA. Ames Street bridge. Passing under the Ames Street bridge on the Charles River in Dedham MA. Charles River is right next to VFW parkway on my right at this point. I took a break and beached at the Mother Brook Dam. Sears store at Dedham Mall. People looking at the outflow of Mother Brook Dam. Mother Brook Dam. Mother Brook is the headwaters of Neponset River. Back on the waters of Charles River. Mother Brook Dam is on my right. A blue heron on the banks of the Charles River. Cotton-like stuff dropping off trees. Dunkin Donuts on VFW Parkway in Dedham MA. Spring Street bridge. The Charles River access from Millenium Park. Now at the "Cow Island Pond". A rail bridge over the Charles River. This photo taken by my son from the Nahanton Bridge. The Nahanton Street bridge where my son is taking photos right now. The Boston Kayaker after paddilng the Charles River from Dedham MA to Newton MA.