The Concord River Boater's Trail

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The Concord River Boater’s Trail

Ñ SUDBURY ASSABET &CONCORD WILD & SCENIC RIVER STEWA R D S HI P COUNCIL

photo: Catherine D. Ross

WWW.SUDBURY-ASSABET-CONCORD.ORG Visit our website for additional information on historic, scenic and natural features of the Concord River Boater’s Trail.

The Concord River Boater’s Trail From Egg Rock at the beginning of the Concord River in Concord to the Middlesex Canal in Billerica runs approximately 11 miles. It consists of 2 segments: Trip 1: Egg Rock to Carlisle-Bedford Bridge Trip 2: Carlisle-Bedford Bridge to the Middlesex Canal Generally the current is gentle enough to paddle downstream and then return upstream, if you have the time and energy. Otherwise, each one way segment is perfect for a morning or afternoon outing. What is a Trip 1: Egg Rock Wild and to Carlisle-Bedford Scenic River? Bridge (Route 225) Enacted in 1968, the The Trail begins Wild and Scenic Rivers at the confluence Act created a program of the Sudbury and to permanently protect Assabet Rivers, at Egg Rock, where they join to selected free flowing become the Concord River. The river is fairly slow rivers. Those rivers moving and easy to paddle in this section, so you deemed to possess can appreciate the rich natural and cultural sites outstandingly remarkable along the way. Pass by the Old Manse, home of scenic, recreational, Emerson and Hawthorne, and paddle under the ecological, historical or famous Old North Bridge, a part of Minute Man cultural resources are National Historical Park. The River enters the included in the Wild Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, and you and Scenic System. can land your boat to explore the impoundments, Nationally, 166 rivers are home to a diversity of waterfowl. From here, the designated. The Sudbury, river continues to slowly meander through rich Assabet and Concord greenery until you reach Route 225. Rivers are recognized, along with 6 other New England Rivers. Trip 2: Carlisle- Bedford Bridge (Route 225) to the Credits Middlesex Canal The River becomes quite wide in this section and is popular for boating, birding and fishing. Great Blue Heron can be seen along the shores as they stalk their prey, while painted turtles sun on exposed logs. This is a peaceful section of the river. As you enter Billerica there will be a bit more development, and even a chance to stop for a meal at a riverside restaurant. After Special thanks taking your boat off the river, be sure to visit the to Rotary International, Middlesex Canal Museum to learn about the early the Bedford, Billerica, and industrial history of the area, and get a look at the Concord Rotary Clubs, old dam. OARS: For the Assabet, Helpful Resources Concord and Sudbury Rivers, and the Great The Concord, Sudbury, and OARS: www.oars3rivers.org Meadows National Wildlife Assabet Rivers: A guide to Massachusetts Audubon Refuge. canoeing, wildlife and history. Society: www.massaudubon.org By Ron McAdow. Sudbury Valley Trustees: Great Meadows National www.sudburyvalleytrustees.org Wildlife Refuge: www.fws.gov/ The Sudbury, Assabet northeast/greatmeadows Wild and Scenic Rivers & Concord Wild & Scenic Program: www.rivers.gov Ñ River Stewardship Council SUDBURY c/o The National Park Service ASSABET 15 State Street, 10th Floor, &CONCORD WILD & SCENIC Boston MA 02109, USA RIVER STEWA R D S HI P COUNCIL The Concord River Boater’s Trail 23 Bo s to

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18 RIVER STREET BRIDGE 9.18 d R

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vi er u R a R 20 BILLERICA HIGHWAY 10.52 d DEPARTMENT Greenough Land t S Greenough Pond 21 POLLARD STREET 11.17 k o 4 o BRIDGE r B 22 FORDWAY BAR 11.50 23 MIDDLESEX CANAL 11.68 Minnie Reid River mileage represents mileage from the source. t Conservation Area

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