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Detailed River & Facility Information
at our Newton Boathouse

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Charles River Canoe & Kayak in Newton is an ideal location for your outing! We're just off the MassPike and Route 128, and the "Lakes District" of the Charles is a picturesque escape from the surrounding cities.
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.
What to Expect on the Water
Our location in Newton is on the Charles River Lakes District, an area with more than 100 years of canoeing history. Our rental center
is located in a historic boathouse adjacent to the site of the former Norumbega Amusement Park and Totem Pole Ballroom.
We have a scenic 6-mile stretch of flatwater between the Rt. 16/Newton Lower Falls Dam and the Moody Street Dam. There is abundant wildlife along the river, including herons, otters, turtles, cormorants, muskrats, ducks, geese, and swans. Powerboat traffic is generally light and slow, and rowing shells also ply the waters.
Upstream of our boathouse the river is narrow, tree-lined, and passes the Leo J. Martin Golf Course (site of our winter home, the Weston Ski Track). The current becomes stronger closer to Rt. 16, but you can simply turn around and ride the current back whenever you want.
Downstream of our boathouse the river is wider, and is mostly tree-lined (see photo at right) with some houses. Closer to Moody Street, you pass the historic Waltham Watch Factory and the scenery becomes more suburban.
Where to Stop While Paddling
There are a number of locations where paddlers on this section of river can stop to eat, rest, or walk. The City of Newton's Auburndale Park is located about 1.5 miles downstream, and offers a sand beach, playground, ballfields, picnic area, and seasonal restrooms (learn more below). A bit farther down the river, state-owned Forest Grove Park is a small peninsula with a sand beach and short, informal walking trails.
A mile upstream, paddlers will find a small sand beach, high dock (with difficult access), and small field at state-owned Riverside Park.
Our Facility in Newton
Our Newton Boathouse has a waterfront picnic area, as do all our rental locations.
Our historic boathouse boasts a small patch of waterfront green space to use for picnicking. We have a total of six picnic tables; each table can accommodate eight adults. See the photo at right.
Larger groups who wish to picnic should consider Auburndale Park, located 1.5 miles away by water or by car. Learn more below.
  
Auburndale Cove Park & Playground
Auburndale Park is a multi-purpose recreation facility situated about 1.5 miles downriver from our boathouse. The park offers a sand beach, tennis and basketball courts, regulation baseball field, fitness trail, modular and free-standing playground equipment, four picnic sites with grills and tables, and a building with seasonal restrooms.
The park makes an excellent spot for picnics, birthday parties, or a relaxing break while paddling.
Auburndale Park is a waterfront park and playground that makes a great destination while paddling.
Picnic areas will accommodate groups of up to 50 or 100 persons. If your group rents eight boats or more and pays for two hours of rental, we will not charge you for one additional hour of rental while you picnic at Auburndale Park.
If you plan to use the grills at Auburndale Park, a picnic permit from the Newton Parks and Recreation Department is required. Learn more about picnic permits.
Auburndale Park is about 1 mile by car from our boathouse. Simply turn left from our boathouse parking lot onto Commonwealth Ave (Rt. 30 East). Shortly after the baseball field on the left, turn left at a light onto Melrose Street. Take the third left onto West Pine Street, and continue to the parking lot. Click here for a driving map.
Nearby Restaurants & Catering
While no eateries are located within easy walking distance of our Newton Boathouse, there are a large number of restaurants within three miles, including the amazing selection of restaurants on Moody Street in Waltham.
Paddling and food are a great combination — view our favorite local restaurants and caterers. We are happy to arrange catering for your event.
Paddling Store at our Newton Boathouse
Our Newton Boathouse also houses the Charles River Canoe & Kayak Paddling Store, a full-service shop that sells
Our Newton rental location on the Charles River is a perfect location for familes to experience paddling together.
new and used kayaks and canoes, paddling gear, repair parts, and more. Learn more about our Paddling Store!
Getting Here
Charles River Canoe & Kayak's Newton Boathouse is located at 2401 Commonwealth Ave (Route 30) in Newton, right next to the Newton Marriott. There is plenty of free parking, including bus parking. Click here for complete directions!
Paddling Safety Information
Before you come, feel free to read our Charles River Paddling Safety Information (also available in Spanish and Portuguese) and take our fun quiz!
In Cooperation with Mass. DCR
Our Newton location operates in cooperation with the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation & Recreation.
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Newton, Massachusetts 02466
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