Detailed River & Facility Information
at our Boston Location

Charles River Canoe & Kayak's Boston location, on Soldier's Field Road in Allston/Brighton, is a unique location for your outing! We're just minutes from downtown Boston, have plenty of free parking, and can accommodate large groups.

Like all our locations, we offer group discounts during non-peak hours to groups renting eight boats or more. If you're renting fewer than eight boats, just come down — it's rare that we run out of boats. During our peak hours, reservations require pre-payment of the first hour of rental and an additional reservation fee.

Upstream of our rental kiosk the river is lined by trees and parkland. The river passes the Northeastern and Community Rowing Boathouses and the Watertown Yacht Club. Downstream, the river passes Harvard (including the Weeks Footbridge, above) and begins to slowly widen. About 2.5 miles from our kiosk, paddlers reach the B.U. Bridge and the open Lower Basin. Beyond this point, wonderful views of the Prudential and Hancock Buildings, Boston University, MIT, and the State House Dome await.

Just upstream of the B.U. Bridge, the state-owned Magazine Beach in Cambridge offers an easy pull-out at a gravel beach, playing fields, and a small playground. From here through the Esplanade, the riverbank on the Boston side is often rocky and may be easy or difficult to access depending on the location, boat, and paddler. There are public docks at the Esplanade which are high and may be difficult to access. Much of the Cambridge side of the river downstream of the B.U. Bridge is an inaccessible vertical wall.

In our picnic area at the kiosk we have nine picnic tables; each table can accommodate eight adults. We have plenty of room to accommodate large groups, and would be happy to arrange additional banquet tables if necessary. We also have a small number of pop-up tents; each one can accommodate one picnic table. Groups wishing to reserve the tables or tents are welcome to do so according to the following fee schedule. Rates are per two-hour period.

Tent & Table Reservation Fees	Per Unit
Picnic Table (accommodates 8 adults)	$10
Banquet Table (accommodates 10 adults, requires chairs)	$10
Chair (one per adult)	$2
Tent, 10' x 10' (accommodates one picnic or banquet table)	$20

Paddling and food are a great combination — view our favorite restaurants and caterers nearby. We are happy to arrange catering for your event.