54th Street bridge crossing

This bridge crossing is the take-out for the trip beginning 2.5 miles upstream at the Lawrence River Park. Once pathway clearing is complete for the season the segment from Lawrence to 54th Street is considered beginner friendly at normal water levels but does require some rudimentary maneuvering skills. At low water levels in summer, some logs may be exposed.

The next access is  4.5 miles downstream at CR 681 or 6.5 miles downstream at 59 1/2 Street. After pathway clearing work is completed it is considered Intermediate, but may be difficult at extremely low water levels because of exposed logs. 

To find this access, travel west from Lawrence or east from Hartford on Red Arrow Highway and turn north on 54th Street. Stop on the bridge with emergency flashers on to load/unload. Works best to lift boats over the guardrail on west side of road near bridge and carry down the short but very steep embankment. Then park car on road shoulder at end of very long guardrails. Southwest side of bridge has less mud but water is deeper. Northwest side of bridge is shallower but muddier.

On Road Shoulder parking is available.

Carry-In boat access.

Length of access is less than 50 yards.

Because of distance from roadside parking at end of guardrails, most people park on bridge in southbound lane with emergency flashers on and load/unload boats over the west guardrail and down short but steep embankment. Then go park vehicles on road shoulder at end of guardrails. Can access water on either southwest  side of bridge (less muddy but deeper water) or on northwest side (shallower but muddy at times).