Public Access on the Blackstone

You don’t really think about these rivers in our town. The protection of the landscape is easier if you can go recreate on the Blackstone. You’re protecting the spaces that you look at every single day.”

- Eleah Caseau, Conservation Agent, Town of Shrewsbury

Explore the Blackstone River — Virtually From the Water

Curious what the Blackstone River actually looks like from a kayak?

Through a collaborative effort using Mapillary and 360° river-based imagery, we’ve created a Google Street View–style experience of the Blackstone River — captured directly from the water. Nearly the full 48-mile river was paddled with a mounted panoramic camera, creating an interactive map that lets you move stretch by stretch along the river.

You can explore dams, portages, access points, scenic reaches, and areas where restoration work is still needed — all from your screen. Whether you're planning a paddle, learning about fish passage projects, or simply getting to know the river better, this tool offers a real, on-the-water perspective of one of our region’s most important community river systems.

Take a virtual trip down the Blackstone and see the river for yourself.

Thank you to all that participated in our 2025 Blackstone Public Paddle and River Celebration!

On 9/14, we paddled 4 miles on the Seekonk River from Pawtucket to Providence together, and then celebrated the Blackstone at Narragansett Brewing, complete with live music, food, drinks, and a 30 foot model of the river!

We hope to see you at our public paddle next year!