Concord River in Massachusetts

Trip Overview

After reading previous reports on this river we thought we would check it out for a day.

We originally tried to get in further downstream where route 4 crosses the river as there is a public car park there, but it would've involved carrying the boats through the brush to the river, which we didn't fancy doing, just a warning, if you have the same idea.

So we put in at a public dock, where you can park for free as well. (Just off route 225 - near where it crosses the river). We went upstream, towards Concord.

It's a wide, quiet river, the flow is very gentle making paddling upstream very easy. Occasionally a jet skier or a motor boat went past and you do often hear air traffic. But apart from that it is idyllic, with trees lining both sides of the river and road traffic soon melting away to the sounds of nature.

We enjoyed seeing the many turtles sunning themselves and a hawk and heron flying about, along with numerous other birds.

We got as far as the first wildlife park before we turned back due to changing weather. But all in all a great stretch of river which we will be returning to in the future, without a doubt.

Accommodations:

There are a couple of places to stop for a stretch along the way, but a lot of it is protected land and you're not allowed to land there.

Fees:

no fees or permits

Directions:

The Google map link below shows the bridge over the Concord river. Nearby it is a small lane with a small sign that says public dock. Keep an eye out for it! Sorry I cannot remember exactly where.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=42.508299,-71.312857&spn=0.036445,0.09407&z=14&layer=c&cbll=42.508927,-71.313779&panoid=sQqA2K1_VHoPFsRtTTHDig