Ipswich River, MA

The Ipswich River is excellent for short day trips. It's windy characteristic makes it good for practice in quick and coordinated turning. Most parts of the river are rather unexciting, however the longest trip section which passes through the Bird Sanctuary (4-5 hours) is very pleasant. This section is far removed from any streets and houses. You will likely see beavers, swans, ducks, other birds; maybe even catch a glimpse of a large snake as show in the picture below.
The rivers slow current makes it easy to go back upstream. This allows for quicker voyages without the need of two cars. However the 4-5 hour journey through the sanctuary is highly recommended and for it you do need two cars. Other parts of the river are about the same except that it often feels as if canoing through a suburban town.

The River is broken up into 3 sections:
Upper: Middleton, from 62 till Dam
Middle: Ipswich (sanctuary)
Lower: From Ipswich Dam to the ocean.

Each sections is quite long and perfect for a day trip. Read below for additional information and comments.

Trip: Upper section - Middleton

Start Location: There is good parking here.

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Middleton Dam: There are many places to get off before this dam, any bridge or park will work.

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Trip: Bird Sanctuary

Start - at bridge of Salem St, Ipswitch. Take exist 51 off 95N
The photo below with the car is this bridge.

End - Anywhere along Ipswich Rd, after crossing Asbury St. There are multiple places to park. If you pass a canoe rental area you have gone too far. There is a dam there and you will have to get off before it.

Time- Takes between 4-6 hours depending on how much time you spend getting out and observing the wildlife

 

Start Location: There is a spot here for 2-3 cars and easy access to the water.
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Camping: This is a designated camping island, you will see a sign and there will be easy access to the shore.
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End Location: Anywhere along this road, there are plenty of places to park, as soon as you see the river, just find a spot. It takes about 4 hrs to get here, the river is very windy. If you stop to relax and have fun, this trip can easily take 6 hrs. I greatly enjoy this river, and its fun in almost any season.
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Continue for additional pictures and comments.

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  A cool misty morning on the Ipswich river.

• 

  Ipswich River Geese.

  The sanctuary has lots of wildlife, including geese.

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  Birds Everywhere.

  Leaving the canoe in the Sancuary may be difficult - there are nests everywhere and you should not distub them.

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  Large snake hanging out by the water.

  Does anyone know what type of snake this is?

• 

  Parking at the bridge where we usually start at.

  The location is marked by the first google maps image further down.

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  When you see this straight way, do not take it.

  This is an old Canal that ends in a Dead-End about a mile down.

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  This bridge marks the begining of the Canal.

  Try not to go much further past it, or you will have lots of rowing back to do.



• 

  Ipswich river swampy goodness.

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