Lower Pawcatuck River Quad-Town Kayak/Canoe Trail

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Lower Pawcatuck River Quad-Town Kayak/Canoe Trail Trail Route You are now in tidal water. Below this section the From Hopkinton to Little Narragansett Bay, the river runs through interesting views of LOWER PAWCATUCK Pawcatuck River is the boundary between commercial buildings. The first Take-out is river RIVER Rhode Island and Connecticut. The boxes, right 5 50 yards below Main Street bridge at numbered 1 – 6 denote “put-in or take-out” Donahue Park and 6 is the last Take-out 275 QUAD-TOWN locations along this beautiful section of the river. yards further on the left at the Westerly Boat KAYAK/CANOE TRAIL Box#7 denotes Ramp. Limited parking is available at all an additional 5- locations. mile paddle to For the more Napatree Point. adventurist you 1 Below Potter may continue 5- Hill dam at the miles further out intersection of 7 to Little Laurel St Narragansett Bay Maxson St in and Napatree Hopkinton is a small put-in. Across the bridge 50 Point and return. yards on Potter Hill Rd. 2 there is a 20-car public History parking area and put-in at the end of Post Office The Wood-Pawcatuck Rivers were designated Lane (it looks like a driveway). In approximately “Wild & Scenic” rivers by the Federal Government 2-miles is Boombridge Rd bridge with access to in 2018. Only 8% of RI’s rivers and 1% in CT hold the river 3 immediately following on the right. that designation. The river classification “wild” About 1.5-miles further on the left is the forth means free-flowing and generally inaccessible launch point 4 a dirt access at White Rock Rd. except by trail and “scenic” meaning mostly across from the Gingerella Sports Complex. The undeveloped, or riverside structures well river passes by the remnants of a dam at screened, with occasional road crossings. This Stillman Ave. which provides 200 yards of section of the Pawcatuck borders Hopkinton and novice class II rapids with a clear channel on Westerly, RI and North Stonington and both sides of the Stonington, CT. Soon after the rapids, the river island. passes through There is a 17th century excellent fishing channel built throughout this at the stretch of the beginning of Federally the industrial designated Wild age which & Scenic River with a license from either state. helped settle The upper portion holds smallmouth bass, the mill Produced in cooperation with the Westerly, pickerel, bullhead, perch, brook and brown villages of North Stonington, and Hopkinton Conservation trout. Both sections hold migratory alewife, Westerly and the Pawcatuck village of Commissions, and the Stonington Economic American shad, Atlantic salmon, and the lower Stonington. Numerous restaurants are available Development Commission. portion one finds seasonal striped bass, blue to kayakers and fishermen alike near the Summer 2021 fish, and porgies. terminus of the trail. Boombridge Road Potter Mill Dam White Rock Rd Stillman Ave. Old Dam Kayak Rental Locations Watch Hill Outfitters 157 Main Street Westerly Mystic Adventure Shop 15 Holmes Street Mystic. Use of the trail Liability of trail users is assumed by the user. Picnicking, camping or other uses of the Westerly Donahue Boat Ramp property are prohibited. Park Access points only available from dawn to dusk. PFD's (life jacket) must be on board but only required to be worn between Oct 31 and May 31. Under 12 must wear all the time. As good stewards of the environment, please To Napatree Point take out any trash found along the river and do not disturb the wildlife. Restrooms are located at: Location 1 Location 2 .
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