This is a good area to start a trip up the Saugus River. From here to the Iron Works site will take about 2 hours. (know the tide schedule before your trip). Put in at the old public landing located 1/8 mile west of Vitale Park. Since parking is limited here, it is suggested that you drop off your canoe at the landing and park on Ballard Street. It's also advisable to notify the Saugus Harbormaster if canoeing down river of the Boston Street Bridge.

From the landing, canoe northeast past the boats of the Saugus lobster Fleet, to a salt marsh peninsula called Ballard's Landing, on your left. Rounding this point the river splits; you can go straight (west) toward Boston Street, or canoe around Oxbow Island to Boston Street. (The Friends of Rumney marsh and the Saugus River Water Shed Council would like to construct an osprey platform here.)

The Boston Street Bridge is the first bridge up river to negotiate. Be sure you have enough clearance before attempting this passage. If the tide is too high, exit the river on the right (north) bank adjacent to the old train track area, and carefully portage across Boston Street. Put in at the grassy lot on the left (south) side of the river.

Before passing this bridge, one might consider some of the notables who crossed over the original bridge which was constructed in 1639, Benedict Arnold, on his way to attack the British at Quebec, crossed here in 1775. George Washington on his triumphant tour from New York to Portsmouth, crossed here in 1789; while French General Lafayette passed here on a last visit to the United States in 1824.

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Canoe Guide