With spring warming the air and melting the ice over the ponds and rivers, it’s time to get out on the water again. While it might still be a little too early to go swimming, it’s the ideal time to go boating and fishing. Here are some great spots to bring your boat and spend your day on the water in Merrimack Valley.
Concord River Whitewater Rafting
If you love some breathtaking, action-packed boating adventures, check out the Concord River Whitewater Rafting. Available from April through the end of May, take one of the most interesting raft trips in the United States down the rapids and waterfalls of the Concord River.
Journey down the class 3 and 4 rapids following the route Henry David Thoreau navigated in the 1800’s. As you ride down the exciting rapids, keep an eye out for great blue herons flying overhead, ancient rock outcroppings along the riverside, and elegant stone arch bridges throughout the journey. Your whitewater rafting adventure finishes off with a passage through an 1850s lock chamber that brings you right to the center of Lowell.
Great Brook Farm State Park
Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, MA is a 1000-acre park that includes the beautiful Meadow Pond and River Meadow Brook. At the pond is a car top boat ramp so you can get your kayak or canoe into the water easily. You can go fishing and catch bass and frogs, among other local aquatic life.
The park is open from sunrise to sunset, and there are daily parking fees from April 1 through November 30. Be sure to bring plenty of bait and tackle, plus sunscreen while you’re out on the water.
Walden Pond
Looking for a place to go boating and fishing that’s both beautiful and historic? Walden Pond in Concord, MA is a 102 ft deep pond created by a melted glacier and is heavily featured in Henry David Thoreau’s famous work Walden.
From April 1st to December 1st, the boat ramp opens at 5 am so you can get on the water first thing in the morning when the pond is still and peaceful. This is the perfect time to fish, paddle around, and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature before it gets too crowded or the sun gets too hot. Kayaks, rowboats, and canoes are all welcome on the pond.
Fishing and boating in Merrimack Valley can be an amazing experience, whether you’re going alone or with friends and family. Grab your life vests, your tackle box, and your boat and get ready for a wonderful day on the water.
