Connecticut River Paddlers Enjoy Primitive Canoe Campsites
By Gary Moore
Those paddling the Connecticut River between Woodsville/Wells River and Claremont/Weathersfield can avail themselves of eight primitive canoe campsites to spend a night or simply rest and eat lunch.
Since 1992, the Upper Valley Land Trust has managed primitive canoe campsites along the Connecticut River. Many of these campsites are made possible by private landowners and are maintained by volunteers for the enjoyment of the public.
The campsites are available to all and reservations are not accepted. Think of them like a shelter along the Appalachian Trail. Try and make room for later arrivals if you can. They are intended for access by canoe and kayak paddlers. Land-based access is prohibited.
They have picnic tables, privies and all, except Burnap’s, have fire rings.
The campsites are: Howard Island North and Howard Island South in Haverhill, Harkdale Farm in Newbury, Vaughn Meadows in Newbury, Birch Meadow in Fairlee, Roaring Brook in Thetford, Burnap’s Island in Plainfield, Burnham Meadow in Windsor and Hubbard Island in Claremont.
The Land Trust also maintains a car top boat access at Knoxland Farm in Newbury and another at Hewes Brook in Lyme (Hewes is owned and maintained by the Town of Lyme-UVLT holds a conservation easement on it).
I can’t emphasize enough that these are available to paddlers because of volunteers willing to keep them maintained and landowners willing to host them. And of course, the Upper Valley Land Trust which made them all possible.
Last week I interviewed UVLT’s VP Stewardship Jason Berard and Ted Unkles who is the caretaker for the two Howard Island sites and the Vaughn Meadows site on WYKR’s The Outdoor Edge.
Jason is a St. Johnsbury native and graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy who now lives in Thetford. Ted lives in Bradford where he was a long time selectboard chair. He is retired from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
Jason pointed out that former UVLT staff member Bill Bridge of Thetford instituted the campsite program which was the beginning of the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail. Although retired, Bridge maintains the Harkdale Farm campsite.
We also got to talk about the UVLT and its operations in the valley.
The Trust’s service area includes 45 towns along the Connecticut River in New Hampshire and Vermont. The northern extent is Ryegate Corner, VT and Bath, NH. The southern extent is Springfield, VT and Charlestown, NH. The area extends West to Randolph and east to Mt. Cardigan in Orange and Grafton Pond in Grafton.
The Trust has 250 miles of trails across the region for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiles, and all-persons trails. I have hiked several of them and explored some of the conserved areas and I encourage others to do the same.
One of my favorites to visit is the Smith Pond Shaker Forest Conservation Area in Enfield which is rich in Shaker history and has five miles of trails to explore.
Another is Lyme Pinnacle Conservation Area in Lyme which offers spectacular views of the Connecticut River valley and beyond to the Green Mountains.
For 40 years UVLT has been a trusted partner in land conservation and stewardship to individuals and communities throughout the Upper Valley. They have conserved nearly 60,000 acres of which they own 7,500 acres outright.
Recent projects include the CR Farm in Newbury, Rocky Hill Farm, next to Bedell Bridge in Haverhill, Putnam Farm in Charlestown, Pohl in Hartland and My Walden in Sharon.
I have seen how they assist landowners conserve their land as the property that abuts our land in Bradford was conserved several years ago.
Jason said, “We provide conservation leadership, tools and expertise to permanently protect the working farms, forested ridges, wildlife habitat, water resources, trails and scenic landscapes that makes the Upper Valley a special place to live.”
He added, “We care deeply about the Upper Valley and those unique places that make it special to us all. Our hope is that the lands we conserve and steward will strengthen the health and resilience of people and nature for generations to come.”
Much of what is accomplished each year is the result of work done by volunteers supported by the small staff. Check out the website to see how you can participate.
Some 70 percent of the operating budget comes from individual gifts annually.
You can learn more about UVLT, the canoe campsites, hiking trails, events open to the public, it’s many projects and how to get involved at https://uvlt.org/.