Experience the Housatonic River with these FREE 2017 paddling trips
Get on the river! The best way to enjoy this gorgeous body of water is through a paddling trip.
Housatonic River paddle trips are suitable for most skill levels (see individual descriptions) and are an ideal way to see the river.
CALL 413-298-7024 TO REGISTER or EMAIL– PADDLE@HVATODAY.ORG
All events are FREE! Registration is required as space is limited. Canoes and equipment provided. Trip information provided upon completion of registration.
Saturday, May 20, 2017 – 1 mile Beginner Paddle Trips at Wahconah Park, Pittsfield
Times–10 am; 11:30 am & 1:30 pm
Join HVA for 1 hour, 1 mile guided paddle trips along the West Branch of the Housatonic River. Canoes and equipment provided. Beginners will learn how to safely enter and exit a canoe and try out some basic strokes. Families with children 10+yrs welcome.
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Saturday, June 3 – Celebrate National Trails Day in Great Barrington, MA
Time: 9:00 am – 1 pm Trip Length: 4.8 miles paddle & 2 mile hike
Level: Intermediate – Enjoy a mix of experiences as we paddle from downtown Great Barrington to Kellogg Street and then continue on foot on the Appalachian Trail for a 2 mile hike over June Mountain. Transportation will be provided back to the Housatonic Riverwalk for free picnic lunch. Register by emailing info@gbtrails.org
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Thursday, June 8 – Presentation: Birding in the Housatonic Watershed
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Get ready for birding on the river with this evening slide presentation by Jonathan Pierce, an avid bird watcher. Discover which birds you will likely see along the Housatonic River and hear their songs. We’ll even take a look to see which birds are out singing behind the Merwin House.
Presentation held at Housatonic Valley Association, Merwin House, 14 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262
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Saturday, June 10 – Paddle: Birding on the Housatonic River in Stockbridge
Time: 9 am – 1 pm Trip Length: 4.5 miles Level: Beginner
Join HVA for a leisurely paddle and bird watching with avid birder Jonathan Pierce. This stretch of river is mostly, slow moving, flat water through Stockbridge. Bring your binoculars – Jonathan will help us see and identify the different birds we encounter along the river. Likely candidates include Baltimore Orioles, spotted sandpiper, bank swallows, tree swallows, eastern kingbird, yellow warblers and many more!
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Tuesday, July 18 HVA Beginner’s Paddle at Glendale Dam in Stockbridge
Time: 4:30 pm – 7 pm Trip Length: 1-2 miles Level: Beginner
Want to paddle, but never been in a canoe? This is your chance! Learn how to safely enter and exit a canoe, the basic strokes, and how to paddle safely. Led by HVA volunteer, Charles Murray, an experienced canoeist and ACA certified instructor
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Wednesday, July 26 – Presentation: Turtles of the Watershed
Time: 6 – 7 pm
From the tiny, 3-inch, bog turtle to the large snapping turtles, we have six turtle species residing in our watershed. Learn more about each of the turtles, their different habitats, what is impacting our turtle populations and what we can do to help from our local reptile expert, Tom Tyning. There will be an emphasis on the wood turtle, a species of concern, which Tom has been studying for many years.
Presentation held at Housatonic Valley Association, Merwin House, 14 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262
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Saturday, July 29 – Paddle: In Search of Turtles with Tom Tyning
Time: 10 am – 1 pm Trip Length: 3-4 miles Level: Beginner
Paddle upstream from Woods Pond and back enjoying the Housatonic River as we search for painted and other turtle species basking along the river’s edge and learn about these ancient reptiles that are struggling to maintain their populations.
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Wednesday, August 16 – Paddle: A River Exploration in Lee
Time: 3 pm – 6 pm Trip Length: 6 miles Level: Intermediate
Discover the river’s ecology as we paddle a beautiful stretch of the Housatonic from Lee to South Lee with views of Beartown Mountain. Some paddling experience preferable. We’ll stop along the way to explore the invertebrates, look for signs of wildlife as we learn about the constantly changing ‘riverscape.” Led by HVA staff.
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Saturday, September 30 – Paddle in Great Barrington – A Historical Tour
Time: 10 am – 3 pm Trip Length: 6.6 miles Level: Beginner
Learn about the history of the area as we meander our way along the river first through quickwater and riffles then paddling flatwater until we reach the Covered Bridge. Led by HVA staff.
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CALL 413-298-7024 TO REGISTER or EMAIL– PADDLE@HVATODAY.ORG
All events are FREE! Registration is required, space is limited. Canoes and equipment provided. Trip information provided upon completion of registration.
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The Housatonic River Paddling Trips are provided in partnership with
the Housatonic Valley Association.