Rhode Island - Tayler's Landing to Wordens Pond

Trip Overview

We put in at at Taylor’s landing (3362 Kingstown Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892) with the intention of traveling the remaining length of the Chipuxet River into and across Worden’s Pond. We left left our support vehicle at the Worden’s Pond parking area for the return trip. First off, Chipuxet River is that in name only - in reality, its little more than a creek that is severely overgrown. Ton’s of poison oak everywhere - so be aware! The first real obstacle you’ll encounter is a large beaver damn erected just beneath Kingstown bike path bridge (a little over half a mile from the put-in). You will have to portage here as it’s not really possible to run it. Once you re-enter the water there is a sharp turn to the right at about 50 yards that is extremely shallow and narrow. Again, it’s probably best to get out pull the boat through it or attempt running it if the water levels are a little higher. You will encounter at least three more failed beaver dam attempts prior to reaching the pond, some of which can be ran. Others, you will have to pull yourself through them. At approximately 4 miles you’ll arrive at Worden’s Pond. The pond is extremely shallow which can produce rough conditions with an afternoon breeze. We arrived to find white caps in excess of 2 feet, and severely choppy conditions. We attempted to hug the shoreline only to be knocked around and into some rocks which prompted an immediate retreat back up the river as the pond in this condition just wasn’t safe to cross in a kayak. If you choose to do the return trip back up the river as we did, you have to portage most if not all of the dams.