Trips: Pawcutuck River

Queen's River          Wood River          Pawcatuck River          Great Swamp          Narrow River

The Pawcatuck River is fed by nine different rivers and streams including the Wood River and Charles River.  The river is double and sometimes triple the width of the Wood River.  It is considered to be a pristine flat-water river that is surrounded by conservation and wildlife management areas with some, but not many residential properties along it's banks.  Native brook trout, freshwater mussels, river otters, rare dragonflies, great blue herons and other creatures make their home here. 

Carolina to Bradford, RI (I-95 exit 3, Rte. 91).  maps.google.com/maps  (Approximate put-in spot shown)
7.5 miles, 3+ hours, 1 portage.  This trip is for the more adventurous and experienced paddlers.

Description: Travel along the pristine Pawcatuck River from Carolina to Westerly.   You start out going down a twisting river skirting lots of blow downs and twisting with the bends in the river.  Huge rocks large enough for people to climb onto dot the waterway.  A broken dam half way through the trip makes a portage necessary.  It is a scenic area and the break is enjoyable.  The Wood River enters and the river doubles in size, suddenly the winding passage way is wider and you won't have to maneuver around trees that have fallen. There's usually a fair amount of wildlife, always beautiful scenery and few, if any people. 

A state-owned canoe camp, no less than 5 rope swings and lots of arching branches drape down into the river.  It's really a great trip that offers a ton of adventure.  

This is a longer trip and because of the dam/portage and downed branches it is recommended for the somewhat more experienced paddlers.  
 

Bradford/Westerly, RI (I-95 Exit 1 in RI)  maps.google.com/maps   
7 1/2 miles, 3-4+ hours.  This is a gentle paddle with one portage at the very beginning that we help you manage before you begin your trip. (This trip may be shortened by one mile.)

Description: Paddle with the steady, gentle current of the Pawcatuck River as it winds through a remote, heavily wooded area.  The Wood River has already joined the Pawcatuck so the calm river runs wide with plenty of water and places to pull over for a picnic. 

This trip is great!  The location is so close to the beach and yet a world away from the crowds.  The seven miles you wil be paddling is bordered on both sides with a dam so there are few people out there except for the few that are lucky enough to live on the water.  Mature trees thickly line the river banks, there's tons of  wildflowers, birds, painted turtles, fresh water mussels (a good indicator of a healthy river system) & four nature preserves leading to the riverbank.  It's a wonderful environment we hope you'll enjoy. 

We meet you at the starting point - Bradford Fishing Access on Rte. 91, just five minutes away from Dunn's Corner in Westerly.  You will be traveling in a westerly direction - bring a hat.

Directions: 
Bradford Fishing Access Site, Route 91, Bradford.  Map - maps.google.com/maps 
The river put-in is across the street from Bradford Dyeing Association.  Large gravel /dirt lot for 20+ vehicles.

From I-95: Take RI Exit 1 (right at end of exit).  Take Rte. 3 South towards Ashaway.  Travel approx. 2 miles.  Make a left onto Rte. 216.  Travel approx. 2 miles.  Make a right onto Rte. 91.  The Bradford fishing access parking area is less than 1/4 mile ahead on left -before the Tim Horton's Donut Shop.

From Westerly: Take Route 1 to the Wal-mart/ Benny's Intersection; take Westerly/Bradford Road to Route 91 East.  The parking lot will be on your right side across from the Bradford Dye Plant. (Approx. a 5 minute ride from Rte. 1.)