Paddling in canoes and kayaks, and even in inner tubes, can be a great way of experiencing nature. It can bring you to places that are usually inaccessible. It can bring you silence so you can hear the world and peace so you can appreciate it. Vermont is filled with rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Here are the most accessible waters within 30 miles of town.
There are only a few places to rent watercraft in southern Vermont. The closest are at the our three local Vermont State Parks. There is also a commercial rental on the Battenkill, called Big Big on the Battenkill, for kayaks and tubes.
If you have your own canoe or kayak, the best sites for flat water paddling are Lake Paran in North Bennington just 6 miles from Bennington, Lake Shaftsbury 12 miles north, Woodford State Park 16 miles east, Emerald Lake 30 miles north, and the much larger reservoirs of Harriman just 18 miles to the east, and Somerset reservoir 27 miles away to the east and then north. The GMC Bennington section will occasionally run excursions to these larger reservoirs during the warmer days of summer.
The three rivers that are closest to Bennington include the Battenkill River in Arlington, Vermont, the Hoosic River in Massachusetts and into Pownal Vermont, and the Walloomsac River that passes right through Bennington, but can only be paddled down river from town.
As you are paddling, remember that you are in Vermont. Give a friendly wave to others. If you see someone fishing, pass quietly; go behind them if possible. Don’t litter and pick up any you find; leave Vermont more pristine than you found it.
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Some thoughts and ideas about kayaking from Lorna Cheriton.
Kayaking the Walloomsac River from the Henry Bridge where we put in at the Jeanne McWaters Park, we have the fun of navigating currents, running a few rapids, surfing the occasional wave, and seeing wildlife – merganzers who take flight as we approach but usually fly downstream where we inevitably disturb them again, kingfishers flying across the river, Great Blue Herons, eagles, and choruses of frogs in springtime.
A further drive away, the Battenkill is a beautiful river to paddle. Unless we take two vehicles, we usually place a bicycle at the state park in New York state or at the Eagleville covered bridge, then return to put in at the golf course on Route 313. At the take-out, one of us rides the bike back to get the truck. Further afield, we have paddled the Deerfield River in Massachusetts, during water releases, either the upper section down to Zoar Gap, or the lower Section below Zoar Gap. Paddling the fierce rapids of Zoar Gap itself has been an adrenalin-producing experience. Both of us have capsized in those turbulent, class III-IV waters, with Hamilton once breaking his glasses and bloodying his face after being scraped across boulders. With snow melt in spring or after a strong rain, there is the rare opportunity to paddle the branch of the Deerfield River (usually too shallow and rocky) from mid-way along the Somerset Road downstream to Searsburg reservoir close to Route 9.
We experienced an unusual view of Bennington when we kayaked the South Stream through Bennington. After we put in near Morgan Street, the swift rapids carried us between high concrete walls where we knew, but could not see, the Eveready factor and the Benmont Ave bridge high above us. Ironically, this small, swift stream, with rocks projecting, was more challenging and intimidating and less forgiving than the bigger Deerfield River.
For still water, we love to paddle the reservoir at Woodford State Park, especially when Bennington is sweltering in summer heat and the park is about 10 degrees cooler. Seeing beaver, loon, and Great Blue Heron adds to the pleasure. At Lake Paran, we usually put in at the fishing dock (being careful about stepping on fish hooks) but you can pay the day fee on the opposite shore. At the far end of Paran, we enjoy paddling up the inlet and spotting turtles sunning themselves on logs. We have put our kayaks in the swamp at the Greenberg Headwaters Park, sometimes to collect trash as part of GreenUp Day and sometimes to pull ourselves exploring through the vegetation.
We have enjoyed paddling Branch Pond off Kelley Stand Road, especially when the laurel is in bloom and when we have seen loons with young. The beautiful man-made Gale Meadows Pond has an undeveloped shoreline with curving shore and bays. Motor boats are allowed but boat speed is not to exceed 5 miles per hour. Sited on a peninsula along the western shoreline is an 1800’s vintage farmhouse and barn. Access by the boat launch at the easternmost point of the pond off Haven Hill Road in Londonderry. Sherman Reservoir, off Route 100 in Massachusetts, has blossoms of pink laurel in late spring; we enjoy paddling to the inlet, often seeing an eagle, and paddling up the inlet until the rapids stop us. From Readsboro, MA, you turn onto Tunnel Street and drive 3 miles to the parking area on the left. Somerset Reservoir offers a long lake with paddling best started early morning before the wind comes up and you have to paddle against strong wind to get back. Harriman, also a large reservoir, with a boat launch on the road on the east side of Harriman, has weekend motor boats that can create large wakes.
We have a plethora of paddling opportunities!
There are only a few places to rent watercraft in southern Vermont. The closest are at the our three local Vermont State Parks. There is also a commercial rental on the Battenkill, called Big Big on the Battenkill, for kayaks and tubes.
If you have your own canoe or kayak, the best sites for flat water paddling are Lake Paran in North Bennington just 6 miles from Bennington, Lake Shaftsbury 12 miles north, Woodford State Park 16 miles east, Emerald Lake 30 miles north, and the much larger reservoirs of Harriman just 18 miles to the east, and Somerset reservoir 27 miles away to the east and then north. The GMC Bennington section will occasionally run excursions to these larger reservoirs during the warmer days of summer.
The three rivers that are closest to Bennington include the Battenkill River in Arlington, Vermont, the Hoosic River in Massachusetts and into Pownal Vermont, and the Walloomsac River that passes right through Bennington, but can only be paddled down river from town.
As you are paddling, remember that you are in Vermont. Give a friendly wave to others. If you see someone fishing, pass quietly; go behind them if possible. Don’t litter and pick up any you find; leave Vermont more pristine than you found it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Some thoughts and ideas about kayaking from Lorna Cheriton.
Kayaking the Walloomsac River from the Henry Bridge where we put in at the Jeanne McWaters Park, we have the fun of navigating currents, running a few rapids, surfing the occasional wave, and seeing wildlife – merganzers who take flight as we approach but usually fly downstream where we inevitably disturb them again, kingfishers flying across the river, Great Blue Herons, eagles, and choruses of frogs in springtime.
A further drive away, the Battenkill is a beautiful river to paddle. Unless we take two vehicles, we usually place a bicycle at the state park in New York state or at the Eagleville covered bridge, then return to put in at the golf course on Route 313. At the take-out, one of us rides the bike back to get the truck. Further afield, we have paddled the Deerfield River in Massachusetts, during water releases, either the upper section down to Zoar Gap, or the lower Section below Zoar Gap. Paddling the fierce rapids of Zoar Gap itself has been an adrenalin-producing experience. Both of us have capsized in those turbulent, class III-IV waters, with Hamilton once breaking his glasses and bloodying his face after being scraped across boulders. With snow melt in spring or after a strong rain, there is the rare opportunity to paddle the branch of the Deerfield River (usually too shallow and rocky) from mid-way along the Somerset Road downstream to Searsburg reservoir close to Route 9.
We experienced an unusual view of Bennington when we kayaked the South Stream through Bennington. After we put in near Morgan Street, the swift rapids carried us between high concrete walls where we knew, but could not see, the Eveready factor and the Benmont Ave bridge high above us. Ironically, this small, swift stream, with rocks projecting, was more challenging and intimidating and less forgiving than the bigger Deerfield River.
For still water, we love to paddle the reservoir at Woodford State Park, especially when Bennington is sweltering in summer heat and the park is about 10 degrees cooler. Seeing beaver, loon, and Great Blue Heron adds to the pleasure. At Lake Paran, we usually put in at the fishing dock (being careful about stepping on fish hooks) but you can pay the day fee on the opposite shore. At the far end of Paran, we enjoy paddling up the inlet and spotting turtles sunning themselves on logs. We have put our kayaks in the swamp at the Greenberg Headwaters Park, sometimes to collect trash as part of GreenUp Day and sometimes to pull ourselves exploring through the vegetation.
We have enjoyed paddling Branch Pond off Kelley Stand Road, especially when the laurel is in bloom and when we have seen loons with young. The beautiful man-made Gale Meadows Pond has an undeveloped shoreline with curving shore and bays. Motor boats are allowed but boat speed is not to exceed 5 miles per hour. Sited on a peninsula along the western shoreline is an 1800’s vintage farmhouse and barn. Access by the boat launch at the easternmost point of the pond off Haven Hill Road in Londonderry. Sherman Reservoir, off Route 100 in Massachusetts, has blossoms of pink laurel in late spring; we enjoy paddling to the inlet, often seeing an eagle, and paddling up the inlet until the rapids stop us. From Readsboro, MA, you turn onto Tunnel Street and drive 3 miles to the parking area on the left. Somerset Reservoir offers a long lake with paddling best started early morning before the wind comes up and you have to paddle against strong wind to get back. Harriman, also a large reservoir, with a boat launch on the road on the east side of Harriman, has weekend motor boats that can create large wakes.
We have a plethora of paddling opportunities!
