Today we have the experienced travel blogger Bob Boutin sharing a great visit to the Blackstone Gorge in North Smithfield, RI! Welcome, Bob!
Rhode Island’s Gorge
If you’re a New Englander, then there’s a good chance that when you hear the word “gorge,”
you think of the northern New England states or western Massachusetts. Rhode Island
probably didn’t come to mind. However, tucked away in North Smithfield, RI right near
the Massachusetts border is the Blackstone Gorge.
you think of the northern New England states or western Massachusetts. Rhode Island
probably didn’t come to mind. However, tucked away in North Smithfield, RI right near
the Massachusetts border is the Blackstone Gorge.
T
The Rolling (or Roaring) Dam
The Rolling (or Roaring) Dam
At first, we thought it was just a waterfall. But come to find out, it’s more than that. This park
area crosses the Rhode Island/Massachusetts line, and the area is managed by both states.
I thought it was nice seeing both states getting along and working together, especially after
how Massachusetts treated Roger Williams.
area crosses the Rhode Island/Massachusetts line, and the area is managed by both states.
I thought it was nice seeing both states getting along and working together, especially after
how Massachusetts treated Roger Williams.
Turns out that what we thought was a waterfall was really a dam. The Rolling Dam was c
reated in in 1886 so that the Blackstone Manufacturing Company could have water power
for the mills. The nearby Blackstone Gorge made it difficult to build anything near the dam,
so the company built their mills about a half mile downstream.
reated in in 1886 so that the Blackstone Manufacturing Company could have water power
for the mills. The nearby Blackstone Gorge made it difficult to build anything near the dam,
so the company built their mills about a half mile downstream.
Entering the Blackstone Gorge
You really have to look for the entrance to the Blackstone Gorge. It’s well-hidden at the corner
of two side streets. There’s a parking lot that has room for about 20 cars. As we left the car,
we could already hear the dam, which was only a short walk away.
of two side streets. There’s a parking lot that has room for about 20 cars. As we left the car,
we could already hear the dam, which was only a short walk away.
On the way, Benny noticed this colorful sign. What a great idea! We’ve seen other people
posting pictures of colored rocks on social media, but this was the first time we saw a setup
like this in person. He wanted to take all of the blue rocks. I know he can read the sign and
knew he was only supposed to take one; he was just seeing what he could get away with.
I made sure he ended up taking only one.
posting pictures of colored rocks on social media, but this was the first time we saw a setup
like this in person. He wanted to take all of the blue rocks. I know he can read the sign and
knew he was only supposed to take one; he was just seeing what he could get away with.
I made sure he ended up taking only one.
Benny wanted to take all of the rocks. I told him “one and done!”
An older woman holding paddles passed us. “I’m going to die today!” she said exasperatedly,
whose sentiment was the exact opposite of the Kindness Rocks Project.
whose sentiment was the exact opposite of the Kindness Rocks Project.
“Why?” I asked, not sure if I really wanted to get into this type of conversation at the moment.
“Look!” she said, pointing to two kayaks and an older man. “Look how close we’re going to
be to the falls!”
be to the falls!”
Small park area near the dam. The boat launch is out of view to the right.
I could see why she was a bit nervous. The boat launch was literally right next to the falls.
And when I say literally, I mean within thirty feet. With the roaring of the powerful water
dropping over hard, unforgiving rocks, I would have been a bit hesitant to go kayaking
there too. But there was someone else further down kayaking, and it looked like he was fine.
I pointed him out to her, and told her so. It did little to alleviate her fears. She continued
walking to two kayaks near the boat ramp.
And when I say literally, I mean within thirty feet. With the roaring of the powerful water
dropping over hard, unforgiving rocks, I would have been a bit hesitant to go kayaking
there too. But there was someone else further down kayaking, and it looked like he was fine.
I pointed him out to her, and told her so. It did little to alleviate her fears. She continued
walking to two kayaks near the boat ramp.
If you’re interested in kayaking up the Blackstone River from this spot, you should check
out the Blackstone River and Canal Guide.
out the Blackstone River and Canal Guide.
boat launch
If it weren’t for this dam sign, Benny would have jumped right into the water.
Views of the dam
It’s easy to get a good, close look at the dam. The best way is to go to the left of the park
area, or wrap around a short path and view the falls from a few yards downstream. If you
choose to go on the rocks, be aware that they can be a bit slippery when wet. The water’s
roar is loud enough to drown out your voice, so keep that in mind if you have inquisitive
family members or pets.
area, or wrap around a short path and view the falls from a few yards downstream. If you
choose to go on the rocks, be aware that they can be a bit slippery when wet. The water’s
roar is loud enough to drown out your voice, so keep that in mind if you have inquisitive
family members or pets.
Down the short path, there’s a rock you can sit on to take your perfect picture.
The trail down the river to the gorge
At this point, you may be wondering, “Where’s the gorge? You were supposed to tell me
where the Blackstone Gorge is!”
where the Blackstone Gorge is!”
You’re right. After admiring the dam, you can take trail that follows the river. A few yards
down the path, you’ll cross state lines and enter Rhode Island. There are no signs that you’re
crossing state lines; you’ll have to trust me (and Google Maps). The trail isn’t too wide; you’ll
have to walk one-by-one. Parts of it are a bit rocky and there are roots in some places, so be
careful.
down the path, you’ll cross state lines and enter Rhode Island. There are no signs that you’re
crossing state lines; you’ll have to trust me (and Google Maps). The trail isn’t too wide; you’ll
have to walk one-by-one. Parts of it are a bit rocky and there are roots in some places, so be
careful.
Parts of the path are a bit rocky.
These precautions are a small price to pay for the beauty and seclusion that you’ll experience.
Within a few minutes, you’ll forget that you’re in southern New England; you’ll think you’re
somewhere in New Hampshire or Vermont.
Within a few minutes, you’ll forget that you’re in southern New England; you’ll think you’re
somewhere in New Hampshire or Vermont.
Parents beware: If you’re hiking with the young ones, keep an eye on them. It’s a cool
and interesting place to explore, but at places there’s a steep drop of at least 50, 60,
or 70 feet. (I’m guesstimating. It’s high. Very high.)
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| Benny looking over the edge. The black void is the river.
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If you like walking along rivers, you may also be interested in The Quequechan River Rail Trail.
About me:
I’m southern New England through and through: I was born and raised in Fall River,
went to school in Worcester, lived in East Providence for a while, and now I live near Cape Cod. I love coffee milk, Coney Island sauce, and clamcakes and chowder. My wife Christina is from Cranston, and she’s been my West Bay Rhode Island tour guide ever since we started dating.
While I’ll go anywhere in the world (I can’t say no to a good adventure), I especially love
exploring the New England region and sharing what I’ve discovered with anyone who’ll listen. I’ve been managing and writing my own blog, www.yourtravelcap.com, for about a year now, and one of the great things about my passion project is that it encourages me to find new and interesting places to write about. Just having the blog in itself has encouraged me to discover more about my own region! In an effort to learn about my immediate area, I’ve recently begun the Things to do in MA and RI Facebook group.
As you can see from the above post, I’ve been traveling a bit with Benny. My Del’s-loving
bear also likes adventure, but sometimes he can be a bit mischievous. He keeps me on my toes. We’d love to have you come along on our (mostly) New England adventures. Why not subscribe so you never miss a post? Of course, you’re always welcome to visit our Facebook page. If you know of someone who would love to discover New England with us, feel free to send along these links.
Thank you, Regina, for inviting me on your page. I look forward to visiting again!
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