Lost River Camps

Can one canoe from Canada to Hartford down the Connecticut river?

A few of my buddies and I were thinking of something different to do when we go camping this spring. My friend suggested paddling down the entire Connecticut river. What would a trip like this entitle? I understand that they are dams along the way and that we would have to pick up and walk around them. How long would such a trip take? (we live in the hartford area).

Public Comments

1. It would take awhile. The current through the northern parts probably helps your time considerably. Figure out what you guys can handle for flat water and just estimate the whole trip that way. That will give you a nice buffer time. I've though about doing the trip myself. It might be tough finding a place to camp once you get into CT, as I'm sure you know. I grew up by Old Saybrook CT, by though mouth of the CT river, and I've seen the river a couple of miles away from the Canada boarder. I would dare to say it's not navigable all the way from Canada. Its not that it's too rough, its just a brook... you might be dragging bottom. A few miles south maybe. Good luck!!
2. I agree with the former poster. The trip sounds like a great adventure, but I've seen parts of the Connecticut River that are way too shallow for a canoe- or too rocky- you might have carry your canoe a good part of the way! Plus, besides the dams, shallows and rocks, there's the issue of where to camp at night. Technically, you should have permission of the property owners if you are just going to camp in the open wherever you stop in the evening. How about a combination camping/canoe trip where you could drive with your canoes and camping equipment to various points along the river and canoe where you can and camp at campgrounds? I know it's not the same, but it might be easier on all of you! Have you looked into camping/canoe vacations? There's got to be some places that advertise that sort of thing. Good luck and I hope you have fun at what trip you decide to take! :-D
3. yes, you can go the whole langth but the first maybe 5 miles or so are very hard in anyting but high water conditions. there are a couple of guide books that give info on campsites and put in points. there are a number of river side parks that will alow you to camp with permission of the land owener in advance.