Take Out: Chester Ferry Landing

Google Map

Longitude: 72.43686700000001 W Latitude: 41.416309 N

Take Out Two : Hadlyme Ferry Boat Launch

Google Map

Longitude  72°25'42.51"W   Latitude 41°25'13.00"N

On The Water:

As you head down the river on your left side you'll pass the historic Goodspeed Opera House and on your left further down - Gillette Castle.

The boat ramp behind the Goodspeed is a simple dirt ramp. After launching - stick close to the left bank heading south keeping about 100 feet from the shore. As you paddle you'll be parallel to the Goodspeed Airport runway for a short distance.

As you head down you'll hit a couple of small islands first you'll encounter Rich Island - keep to your left as you paddle past it. As you pass Rich Island you'll see the mouth of Chapman Pond (Longitude 72.26578 W   Latitude 41.26135 N ) on your right and see Lord Island on your left.

You can head up and explore Chapman Pond which is about a 1/2 mile long. The pond has marshy areas where you can see great blue herons and snowy egrets as well as other wildlife. Head up the the northern end then make you around the ponds left side and head south.  You'll see a small area / creek (Longitude 72.26332 W Latitude 41.26071 N ) a half mile long which leads into a marshy are which you can paddle and will take you back into the Connecticut River.

Back on the river you'll see a navigation light down river. Once you see this light you're about a mile from the take out. At this point you'll be entering Gillette Castle State Park.

Cautions: Be aware of large wakes.