Winooski River in Vermont

Trip Overview

Winooski River - Jonesville to Richmond

Community has made access easy for a couple different length floats/paddles. Takeout I used was just after iron bridge in Village, right at Town park. Parking here, as well as a great restaurant.

Two easy out-ins:
Jonesville (on Huntington river @ 300 yards up from mouth) or 3/4 way to Jonesville at designated parking/put-in. Drop off boat(s), drive by to village and park at Town park. Bike back up Cochran's road to put-in of choice. For a more interesting bike ride, take the easy single-track(Mt. Bike required) route along the river. Flat river with a few light riffles to float through.

From Upper put in, you will float by several islands - you can choose either side of islands to take. Lots of wildlife - beaver, Canadian geese, ducks, etc...a number of nice large gravel bars for taking a break/picnic. This is a great one to take kids on as a first or recurring trip.

From upper put in, about an hour lazy paddling, about 1/2 hour from lower put-in to Town park take out. Combines great with the bike ride.

Link to map with bike trail is here:
www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/warren-and-ruth-beeken-rivershore-trail

I live in Jericho, next town over. This is nice enough that I do it this trip on a weekly basis. State of VT stocks this, and many spots with fish every year.

This section is one of many fine pieces of the Winooski river to paddle on. More info on other stretches here:
www.winooskiriver.org/ (pdf file)

Accommodations:

day trip, no overnite. Parking and put-in, no bathrooms. Bathroom at restaurant at take-out. No known camping spots

Fees:

no fees or permits

Directions:

Interstate 89 or route 2 to Richmond. At stoplight in Village, turn South on to Bridge street. Cross railroad tracks, town park on right BEFORE bridge crosses river. To reach put-ins, cross bridge, take Cochran's road to left after Old Round Church. Watch for put-in/parking spot on your left (see linked map in trip report) or park in small parking spot at intersection of Cochran road and Wes White Hill Road.