The Bantam River originates in Litchfield and flows into the Shepaug River in Washington. In the spring it is a whitewater run. Watch out for blockages.

Cautions:

Litchfield - Bantam

USGS Quadrangle: West Torrington, Litchfield , New Preston

Type of Water: Class I, II, & III

Paddle Length: 9.25 miles

Portage:

Put-In: South Street, Litchfield

Google Map

Longitude:  73.185784 W Latitude: 41.730305 N

Take Out: West Morris Road & Stoddard Road, Bantam

Google Map

Longitude:  73.247218 W Latitude: 41.71205 N

On The Water:

You can access the river at South Street in Litchfield and then paddle into Little Pond and then down into Bantam Lake.  Paddle about .75 miles along the north shore of the lake to the Bantam River Outlet. It’s a little over 1.4 miles to Bantam, where there is a dam. The next .75 miles to the Stoddard Road Bridge is Class III.

Cautions:

Bantam – Shepaug River

USGS Quadrangle: West Torrington, Litchfield , New Preston

Type of Water: Class I & II

Paddle Length: 4.75 miles

Portage: West Morris - dam

Put-In: West Morris Road & Stoddard Road, Bantam

Google Map

Longitude:  73.247218 W Latitude: 41.71205 N

Take Out: Romford Road, Washington

Google Map

Longitude: 73.296307 W Latitude: 41.680185 N

On The Water:

This is the best start for a whitewater trip at the Stoddard Road Bridge.

There are easy Class II rapids for a half a mile to the next bridge. Then another 1.75 miles of rapids to a broken dam and bridge in West Morris. Portage over this dam.

Below West Morris- 2.25 miles – there are 2 miles of more challenging Class II rapids to a steel bridge at Rumsey Hall School – at 4.25 miles. Take out here or follow another half mile of rapids into the Shepaug River where you can take out 3 miles down at Bee Brook Road, Washington Depot.

Cautions:

The information here is based upon the best available information presently available.

If you find and error or have a written description of a water trail we have not included - please contact us

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