Kayaking

About

Who doesn’t like a little water splash during hot summer weekends?  If you don’t mind it, we will be happy if you join us in our kayaking adventures.  We have identified few places, which we explored, that are great for all levels with breath taking natural beauty.

Collinsville Canoe & Kayak in Collinsville is one of those areas.  Farmington River is their backyard, and it is the dammed up section of the Farmington River.  You paddle upriver about a mile and a half and then back down to our ramp.  This section of the river is the old Collins Co. mill pond and is calm and flat.

If you are more eager, you can try kayaking with Main Stream Canoes & Kayaks of New Hartford with “The Upper Farmington River” trip, and its beautiful run of quick water.  The water is rated with class I-II rapids which are a safe challenge from the beginner to intermediate alike.  You paddle through ten miles of beautiful hills and some of the best trout fishing in New England.

In Avon, they provide “The Lower Farmington River” trip where you paddle past such landmarks as Heublein Tower, Bel Compo golf course and the home of the Pinchot Sycamore–the oldest and largest Sycamore tree in Connecticut.  “The Lower Farmington” trip is recommended for any paddler who just wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Quiet Kayak rents kayaks at the former resort area on the banks of the Connecticut River–at times over the past century known as “Sunrise Resort”.  Visitors can bring their own canoes or kayaks and launch them from the park.  DEEP has teamed up with Quiet Kayak in hopes to breathe life into the 144 acre property by drawing in people who are looking for peace and solitude along the Salmon River and Salmon River Cover.

The Salmon River, one of the state’s most pristine waterways, empties out into the cove near the Connecticut River shortly after spilling over the picturesque Leesville Dam, a half-mile paddle upstream from Sunrise and a must-see destination.  It’s a man-made waterfall, but it’s one of the favorite in the state.  The flat, shallow water is an excellent place for beginners and novice kayakers.  It is worth to note that the area is also popular for fishing.