Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Paddling Trails Hartford County Farmington Farmington River Paddling Trail
Massachusetts:
Otis
Connecticut:
Tolland Center. Winsted, New Hartford, Collinsville, Avon, New Britain,
Tarriffville, Windsor Locks, and Hartford North
Paddle Length:
On The Water: This river offers everything from Class
I – IV rapids, which can be used for training as well as
sites for slalom racing practice and training.
There is enough water for paddling in the summer and dam releases
help provide the Class III – IV rapids. The section of the river composed of the West Branch
and main section from Goodwin Dam and Hydroelectric Project in Hartland to
the end at New Hartford – Canton are a designated Wild and Scenic area.
Cautions:
USGS Real Time Water Data /
Gauge
Section One
Farmington River Headwaters
Otis Massachusetts – Colebrook River Lake,
Colebrook, Connecticut
USGS
Quadrangle:
Massachusetts –
Otis
Connecticut –
Tolland Center and Winsted
Type of Water:
Class I - IV
Paddle Length: 7
miles Portage: NA
Put In: Route 8
North, Otis Massachusetts
Longitude:
73.11551
ºW
Latitude:
42.239515 ºN Or
Put In:
2.9 Miles North of the Intersection of Route 8 &
Route 57 on the right at a Green Bridge / Picnic Area, Sandisfield,
Massachusetts
Longitude:
73.075677 ºW
Latitude:
42.09379 ºN Bridge - Picnic Area
Longitude:
73.042611 ºW
Latitude:
42.060575 ºN Or
Put In: Old Route
8, Sandisfield, Massachusetts
Longitude:
73.07178399999999 ºW
Latitude:
42.112864 ºN
Take Out:
Colebrook Lake Public Boat Launch
Longitude
73.044955ºW Latitude
On The Water:
The two miles from the bridge next to Massachusetts Route 8 to the green iron bridge leading to Tolland State Forest are Class II. The 3 miles from the bridge to the Massachusetts Route 8/57 bridge in New Boston is challenging with Class III-IV rapids. And the 2 miles to the Cole Brook dam are Class II ending in Class III rapids. The river is paralleled by Massachusetts Route 8 which allows for take outs and scouting.
You’ll hit a 3 foot drop about ½ mile into a long
rapid which takes you into Declaration Rock Rapid – the most difficult
rapid on this river. Stay to the left and scout out the area – this is a
Class IV section. Portage on the left if you are unsure. This is the most
dangerous spot on the river. Two miles after this rapid you’ll still travel in
Class III & IV rapids. At 4.5 miles you’ll pass under a small iron bridge
followed by a right turn and the approach to then enter the Corkscrew or
Washing Machine rapid. Take out on the right following
the right turn and walk down Massachusetts Route 8 to scout out this
section. Below New Boston – about 5 miles in – the Farmington
is Class II. After another ½ mile of Class II – II rapids you’ll pass
under the Massachusetts Route 8 bridge at Sandisfield. You can paddle .3
miles to the American Legion pavilion on your left. After the pavilion
you’ll hit Class I & II rapids until you’re ½ mile below the Route 8
bridge – where you’ll hit Bear’s Den rapid a Class III rapid - which
should be scouted first from the right side. From Bear’s Den to Colebrook Reservoir you have easy rapids. As you approach the Colebrook River Dam / Goodwin Dam (Hogback Dam) stay to the right to reach the public boat launch.
Cautions:
Section Two
Goodwin Dam, Hartland – Satan’s Kingdom, New
Hartford Connecticut
USGS
Quadrangle: Tolland Center, Winsted, New
Hartford, Collinsville
Type of Water:
Class I-II
Paddle Length: 8
miles
Portage:
Put-In: Goodwin Dam
Longitude:
73.01955
ºW
Latitude:
41.988428
ºN Or
Put-In:
Connecticut Route 20, Riverton Longitude: 73.017321 ºW Latitude: 41.970426 ºN Or
Put-In: West
River Road, Barkhamsted Or
Put-In: West
River Road, Barkhamsted Or Put-In: People's State Forest , BarkhamstedOr Put-In: Connecticut Route 181 & 318, Pleasant ValleyOr Put-In: Lake McDonough, BarkhamstedOr Put-In: Callahan Memorial Park, New HartfordLongitude: 72°58'34.03"W Latitude: 41°52'44.90"N
Take Out: Satan’s
Kingdom State Recreation Area, New Hartford
Longitude:
72.958518 ºW
Latitude:
41.857488 ºN
On The Water: Put in below the dam where the run to Riverton is 1.75
miles of Class II rapids. The river starts out here with a run of Class I & II rapids as you make your way down towards People's State Forest on the rivers left side and American Legion State Forest on the right. As you approach the bridge at Riverton – the
Hickory Chair Factory on the
right side of the river and the
Riverton Inn on your left. After the Riverton Connecticut Route 20
bridge – you’ll hi some Class I rapids as you pass the
Riverton Fair Grounds. If the
water is low stay to the right of center. You’ll continue on straight
until you hit a sharp left where the
Still River enters o your
right. – Keep to the left to avoid the incoming flow from the Still River. At 1.3 miles down from the bridge the river turns left
again and flows into flatwater.
Peoples State Forest – Whitmore Grove picnic area is on your left. The river narrows again and looks like it branches
out. Staying to the right side you’ll pass between two stone bridge
abutments. After paddling here you’ll hit more Class I rapids and about 3
miles after the Riverton Bridge you’ll hit
High Rapid Bank in
Peoples State Forest – a
difficult Class II rapid. The start of the rapid is marked by a high stone
bank with a stone wall on top. The end of the rapid is marked by a beach
on the left side of the river. When you enter the rapid stay to the center and then
halfway down – move to the right side and watch for large rocks. Above the beach area there are toilets and a pay
phone. Downstream of High Bank you enter the upper section of the Farmington River Trout Management Area. After a series of houses the
river splits off into three directions take the far left fork. At about ½
mile you’ll pass under the Connecticut Route 181/318 iron bridge in
Pleasant Valley which marks the end of the backwater for the old Greenwood
Dam. From the bridge to Connecticut Route 219 bridge in New
Hartford is 2.8 miles. Below Church Pool after the iron bridge in Pleasant
Valley there is an ADA Accessible fishing platform. After this platform
stay to the right around the island you’ll come up to here in the river. After you pass the island the river widens as you move
into the former Greenwoods Pond. After ½ mile before the Connecticut Route
219 Bridge you see the remains of a metal dam on the right and on the left
the
Ovation Guitar
Company (formerly Greenwoods Company) Right after the Connecticut Route 219 Bridge the river
flows against a concrete wall – stay to the right as close to the wall as
possible. After a small section of river you come up to
Black’s Bridge in
Pine Meadow section of New Hartford. For
the remaining 1.7 miles to Satan’s Kingdom the water has easy rapids. It’s 2.7 miles from the Connecticut Route 219 Bridge
to the take out at Satan’s Kingdom. After you pass under Black’s Bridge and a section of
riffles – look for the remains of the East Branch of the Farmington River
on your left hand side. On your right hand side are River Run condominiums
marked by a river fed pond. About .3 miles after the condominiums you’ll see a
large rock on the right hand side – there is a large set of stairs going
from the river to the parking lot.
Cautions:
Section Three
Satan’s Kingdom, New Hartford – Upper Dam,
Collinsville
USGS
Quadrangle: Collinsville
Type of Water:
Class I-III, Flatwater
Paddle Length:
4.5
miles
Portage:
Put-In: Satan’s Kingdom State Recreation Area, New Hartford 2.4 miles west of jct. Route 44/179 in Canton Longitude: 72.928849 ºW Latitude: 41.835485 ºN Or Put-In: Ramp Road, Nepaug Sate Forest, New Hartford
Or
Put-In: Canton,
Connecticut
Take Out: River Road, Collinsville Connecticut
On The Water: At the start of this section of the river should be
scouted first. Here are Satan’s
Kingdom Class II or II rapids. Enter the rapids on the river left keeping
the bridge abutments to your left and stay left through the 100 yard
stretch of the water. At the end of this section you should land on the
left to scout out the upcoming drop. Continue along the left bank above
the last shoreline boulder and move to the center. The drop is steep and
the channel twists due to several boulders. For a safer put in head .3 miles down from the bridge
where you may want to portage the rapids on the left side of the river for
about 25 yards. Watch out for tubers. You’ll enter a gorge and when
you emerge fro it the river turns left into another rapid with large
boulders. Stay close to the left shore to avoid the rocks and high waves. The river will split in two – both sections are
paddale-able. The river winds with a few rapids and riffles. There is a
long stretch of flatwater as you pass the tubing take out at the border of
Canton and New Hartford. Just before you pass under Connecticut Route 202 Bridge - Cherry Brook enters from the left side. After the bridge the Nepaug River enters in from the right side.Town Bridge will be the next bridge where the water flow slows down as a result of the Upper Collinsville Dam. From the bridge it’s .8 miles of flatwater to the take out on the rivers left side.Just past the take out the river turns right and
you’ll see stone bridge abutments. From here you’ll see the Upper Dam. The
portage is to the right of the dam.
Cautions:
Section Four
Lower Dam, Burlington – Connecticut Route 4 Bridge
Farmington
USGS
Quadrangle: Collinsville, Avon, New
Britain
Type of Water:
Class II
Paddle Length: 9
miles
Portage:
Put-In:
Connecticut Route 179, Burlington
Longitude:
72.92788
ºW
Latitude:
41.800098
ºN Or
Put-In: Connecticut
Route 4 & 179 Junction,
Burlington
Longitude:
72.92278
ºW
Latitude:
41.782378
ºN Or
Put-In:
River Road, Unionville
Longitude:
72.89639200000001
ºW
Latitude:
41.754907
ºN Or
Put-In:
Wannowmassa Road,
Farmington
Longitude:
72.860995
ºW
Latitude:
41.743205
ºN
Take Out:
Connecticut Route 4, Farmington
Longitude:
72.824947 ºW
Latitude:
41.72651 ºN On The Water: This section of the river is mainly Class II drops and
pools and you should have experience before trying this section. After several easy rapids you’ll hit Punch
Brook rapid just below
the Connecticut 179/4 intersection. You’ll first hit an island and
want to stay to the right. You’ll also encounter rapids. Burlington Brook
joins the river from the right side. You’ll run into Crystal Rapid right
after Burlington Brook. The rapid curves to the right – a large group of
rocks to your left and a beach on the lower right side. Stay to the left of the center and once you pass the
beach stay close to the right bank to avoid rocks. In 2.25 miles you see a high stone wall on your left –
about 200 yards after the wall you’ll hit more rapids and curve to the
left. When you hit this rapid – paddle it to the right of center. Once you
pass this rapid you’ll hit the Connecticut Route 4 Bridge in Unionville.
Before you hit the bridge stay to the right to avoid a ledge of boulders
and a drop which comes out from the left bank – halfway across the river. This section of the river from Connecticut Route 4
bridge in Unionville to the Connecticut Route 4 bridge in Farmington has
flatwater stretches. After the Connecticut Route 177 bridge in the center
of Unionville there will be an iron bridge and
Roaring Brook will be entering
in form the left. Once you pass
Apricots Restaurant & Pub
on the left side of the river – stay to the right of the center of the
river. A ½ mile down past the restaurant – stay to the left
of center to avoid a series of ledges which brings you to
Boateater Rapid. Once you pass
this rapid you’ll see a high railway bridge as you pass under this bridge
stay to the far left to avoid rocks. You’ll also be able to see the white
church steeple in Farmington at this point. The river from this point flattens out. On the right
side is the entrance to
Tunxis Meade. After you pass this section
the river takes an abrupt turn to the left and flows north. The
Pequabuck River merges in from the right
side. At .3 miles after a large white house on the right bank you’ll see
the
Grist Mill Restaurant
on your right. You’ll need to portage the mill dam on the left. Before the dam stay close to the left bank – so you
don’t miss the portage path. The path is 25 yard long. Continue for a ½ mile
beyond the portage and dam – immediately on you left before the
Connecticut Route 4 bridge in Farmington – you’ll see a beach and grassy
hill –with a small path - take out here.
Cautions:
Section Five
Connecticut Route 4, Farmington – Tariffville Park,
Simsbury
USGS
Quadrangle: New Britain, Avon,
Tariffville
Type of Water:
Flatwater
Paddle Length: 16
miles
Portage:
Put-In:
Connecticut Route 4, Farmington
Longitude:
72.824947 ºW
Latitude:
41.72651 ºN Or
Put-In:
Alsop Meadows ( Route 44 Bridge), Avon
Longitude:
72.817517
ºW
Latitude:
41.805156
ºN Or
Put-In: Connecticut
Nod Road - Route 185
Bridge, Simsbury
Longitude:
72.80891
ºW
Latitude:
41.83572
ºN Or
Put-In:
Riverside Road, Simsbury
Longitude:
72.800145
ºW
Latitude:41.864262
ºN Or
Put-In:
Curtis Park, Simsbury Longitude: 72.770517 ºW Latitude: 41.906858 ºN
Take Out:
Tariffville Park, Simsbury
On The Water:
Overview Of The Paddle: Route 4 to Old Farms Road Bridge – 2.3 miles Old Farms Road Bridge – Route 44 – 3 miles Route 44 – Route 185 Bridge – 3.3 miles Route 185 Bridge to Drake Hill Bridge – 1.8 miles Drake Hill Bridge to Route 315 Bridge – 3.3 miles Route 315 Bridge to Tariffville Park – 2.3 miles This section of the river is flatwater with many
access points so you can take different length trips. The first part of the trip you’ll pass Farmington Golf Club, Tunxis Plantation Country Club, the Polo grounds, and the remains of the Farmington canal, and Fishers Meadows in Avon. After the Connecticut Route 44 Bridge you’ll pass Blue Fox Golf Club as you float under its’ golf cart bridge. You’ll se Heublein Tower on the top of Talcott Mountain on your right.As the ridge line descends – it marks the location of the Route 185 bridge and Gilford Pinchot Sycamore Tree the largest tree in Connecticut.As you continue north you pass under the two Drake Hill Bridges. The first bridge is a pedestrian / biking bridge and the second bridge is an auto bridge. Once you pass the second bridge you’ll see the Simsbury High School Rowing Club boathouse on your left. After a long stretch of flatwater you’ll see the Route 10. Eventually you’ll see the Route 315 Bridge. After more flatwater you’ll see high telephone lines on the left side and the Salmon Brook enters on your right. As you spot and approach a small red house on your left – you’ll see the take out directly across the river on a sandy beach. Cautions:This is the
last take out before Tarriffville Gorge – which should only be paddled by
experienced paddlers.
Section Six
Tariffville Park – Rainbow Reservoir, Simsbury USGS Quadrangle: Tariffville
Type of Water:
Paddle Length:
Portage:
Put-In:
Tariffville Park, Simsbury
Longitude:
72.76898799999999 ºW
Latitude:
41.914594
ºN Or
Put-In:
Tariffville Gorge, East Granby Onto Tunxis Avenue and proceed under the Rt. 187
bridge to the end of the road. A foot trail on the left between two large
concrete blocks will take you to the beach. The put-in is located upstream
of the beach on river left just above Sandy Beach Rapids Longitude: 72.752437 ºW Latitude: 41.900279 ºN Or Put-In:
Connecticut Route 187,
East Granby Onto Tunxis Avenue and proceed to a point under the Rt. 187 bridge where you will find the put-in which also doubles as a take-out for the Tariffville Gorge Take Out: Rainbow Reservoir Boat Launch, Windsor Longitude: 72°42'18.06"W Latitude: 41°54'51.30"N
On The Water: Tariffville Gorge should only be paddled by experts The gorge starts below the Route 189 bridge.
Paddle to the right and as you go along you’ll hit Cathy’s
Wave – an excellent surfing wave. After this you’ll
pas some low bridge abutments – keep them to your left side as you
make your way through
Bridge Abutment Rapids. There
are a lot of eddies here to the right above and below the abutments. Once you’ve passed this section – turn left into the
main current. You’ll hit a stretch of flat
but fast current which will take you to the largest drop and
Sandy Beach Rapids. Scout this section from the left bank. The easiest
section through this drop is o the very extreme left into a large eddy by
the beach. In these rapids you’ll hit
Pencil Sharpener, the
Upper Hole, and
Clingon – all large waves. After the flatwater at the beach – you can head down
the left bank and over a small ledge. Follow the left bank over a series
of small drops to the main current where you’ll make a left turn into the
current and down into a flat section before the
Spoonville Dam. Land on the left to scout out the river or carry for
100 yards down along the dam to Tunxis Road. This section can be run but the rocks in the sluice
shift so you need to scout iy out before paddling through. Your best route
is to stay to the right of center – stay to the right and avoid
Car Rock about 20 yards down
from the dam.
At the bottom of the dam on the rivers right there
is a beach with a foot trail to Route 189 to a telephone in case something
happens. Stay to the left behind Car Rock and you’ll enter a
chute the flows hard against the low rock wall creating a wave known as
the Typewriter. An alternate route is to the left of the first small
island – make a right turn close to the island. It’s about 25 yards to a low dam with the current
flowing n from the right which must be approached with caution because of
strong hydraulic action.
(From this point – less experienced paddlers can
enter and paddle) After the Route 187 bridge -
paddle to the left of the island
and follow the river to another island. Stay to the right side of this
one. The river opens up into a lake like area. When the river begins to narrow- you’ll pass through an old dam abutment and continue on to the Rainbow Reservoir.
Cautions:
Section Seven
Rainbow Reservoir – Connecticut River, Windsor
USGS
Quadrangle: Windsor Locks and Hartford
North
Type of Water:
Class III
Paddle Length: 9
miles
Portage:
Put-In: River
Street Boat Launch, Windsor
Longitude:
72.66160000000001
ºW
Latitude:
41.900109
ºN Or Put-In: Pleasant Street Park, Windsor Behind Bart’s Bait and Sporting Goods Store on Rt.
159, located one mile north from jct. Rt. 75/305/159 in the center of
Windsor. Note: Put in here only after 12:00 p.m. Due to the release from
the hydro facility upstream, there typically is not enough water to boat
here before noon. Longitude: 72.64379 ºW Latitude: 41.852781 ºN
Longitude 72°38'47.37"W
Latitude
From the dam it’s 1.5 miles to the Route 75 Bridge in
Poquonock. Directly downstream from the bridge are ledgy Class II rapids
with access to River Street on the left. The stretch of 3 miles which follows is twisting
flatwater. Until you reach the Route 91 bridge. In 2.5 miles you’ll hit two bridges in Windsor – first
a railroad bridge – then the Route
159 bridge. From the Route 159
Bridge it’s 1.5 miles to the Connecticut River.
Loomis Chaffee School will be on your right and
from here it’s three miles to the
Bissell Bridge Take out. After passing
Loomis Chaffee School in .3miles you be at the end of the
Farmington River – marked by a long island. Stay either to the left or
right of the island and you’ll hit the Connecticut River. You’ll see the
Bissell Bridge – stay close to the right shore – the take out
is just past the Bissell Bridge on the right.
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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