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Connecticut | Litchfield County

Housatonic RiverHousatonic Meadows State Park to Housatonic River Wildlife Management Area, North Kent Road

A documented Housatonic Meadows to North Kent day reach through the scenic Kent corridor, with a primitive take-out and route-specific feature scouting.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 5.5 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 4–6 hours with scouting and the primitive take-out carry
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Housatonic River flows through a wooded Connecticut valley.
River contextHousatonic River; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 5.5 river milesHousatonic Meadows State Park to Housatonic River Wildlife Management Area, North Kent Road
DifficultymoderateThe documented upper Housatonic corridor ranges from flatwater and Class I–II current to technical Class II–III features. Route boundaries avoid Bull’s Bridge, Bleachery Dam and tidal water.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at the named access, then drive to the upstream launch.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current town, state-park or utility access rules before unloading.
CampingDay tripNo overnight camping is included; use separately permitted campgrounds and never camp on private banks.
SeasonApr-OctThe Falls Village gauge is dam-influenced and rain-fed. Check telemetry, release notices, weather and visual conditions immediately before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

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WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A documented Housatonic Meadows to North Kent day reach through the scenic Kent corridor, with a primitive take-out and route-specific feature scouting.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Housatonic Meadows State Park picnic-area boat launch (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only the named public access points and existing paths.

Finish

Take-out

Housatonic River Wildlife Management Area, North Kent Road (refined water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to take-out

Do not approach marked dams, hydro structures or private banks.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only the named public access points and existing paths.
  • Do not approach marked dams, hydro structures or private banks.

Watch for

  • Swift’s Bridge feature may become Class III–IV; scout from shore and portage if needed
  • Primitive North Kent Road take-out and limited parking
  • Cold water, wood and fast rises

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Short-route forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Housatonic River flows through a wooded Connecticut valley.
Housatonic River; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor
Public domain

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Access and distanceHousatonic Meadows State Park to Housatonic River Wildlife Management Area, North Kent Road; 5.5 miles

    The Connecticut paddling guide names the access points, route distances and river character.

    Source

  • Scoring band1000 cfs minimum; 1500–2500 cfs preferred; 8000 cfs maximum

    Wilderness Portal publishes the Falls Village gauge thresholds for the documented upper Housatonic run. Treat them as community planning cues, not a safety guarantee.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 01199000 Falls Village

    Direct Housatonic telemetry; verify current value and trend before travel.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Photos

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Connecticut

All 18 routes
Connecticut route guideBrowse every tracked Connecticut route.Litchfield CountyJump to routes in this region.

More on Housatonic River

All 3
FirstLight Falls Village Station canoe access to Housatonic Meadows State ParkLitchfield CountyModerate · About 9.5 river milesRoute 7/112 canoe launch to Housatonic Meadows State ParkLitchfield CountyModerate · About 8.2 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Farmington RiverPeople’s State Forest to Route 181/318 bridge access · about 20 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 1.2 river milesFarmington RiverRoute 20 Riverton access to People’s State Forest access · about 21 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 3 river milesFarmington RiverRoute 20 Riverton access to Route 181/318 bridge access · about 21 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 4.1 river milesHousatonic RiverSheffield Covered Bridge to Rannapo Road · about 21 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 9.5 river miles

Quick answers

Housatonic River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Housatonic Meadows State Park to Housatonic River Wildlife Management Area, North Kent Road route on the Housatonic River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Housatonic Meadows State Park to Housatonic River Wildlife Management Area, North Kent Road route on the Housatonic River start and end?

This route starts at Housatonic Meadows State Park picnic-area boat launch (water-entry edge) and ends at Housatonic River Wildlife Management Area, North Kent Road (refined water-entry edge), about 5.5 river miles on the water.

Is the Housatonic Meadows State Park to Housatonic River Wildlife Management Area, North Kent Road route on the Housatonic River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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