Description
An excellent and easy spot to launch into the marshes on the back side of Cape Ann.
There's a rough jetty from the main road about 200 yards into the marsh to what is a town landing for Gloucester. There's a paved boat ramp (fairly steep) facing the east. On the north side of the lot there's a walk in launch well suited for kayaks. There's parking for about 30 cars, which can fill up on warm summer days. The north side of the parking lot will flood at high tide. Low tide means a steep climb up the boat ramp. On the north side launch low tide exposes a long reach of gravel, then hard-packed sand and then mud.
The area is beautiful and easy to paddle. Launching here puts you among the small salt rivers and creeks cutting trough the marshes. At high tide wide swaths are covered with water and paddle-able. At low tide many of the smaller creeks are all but empty, but the main channels remain open.
To the east are Pearce and Ram Islands and the main channel of the Annisquam River, separating Cape Ann from the mainland. A large variety of homes of all types line the far shore heading into Gloucester. There are lots of moorings in the river and along the shore and plenty of power boat traffic, and wakes can be significant in restricted areas.
These are waters protected from the Atlantic making them easier to paddle. Note that the Annisquam is tidal so there are some significant currents, most of which can be handled by all but the most inexperienced paddlers. Clear, low wind days make this a beautiful spot to be.
Note that there is a campground about ¼ mile south on Atlantic street, which you'll pass if you come up to Cape Ann on Rte 128. Information about the campground can be found at http://capeanncampsite.com/
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