Canoe and Kayak Guide to the Willimantic River - Midriver

Tolland, Willington, Coventry, Mansfield

Map numbers refer to the notes on river features and launch sites below. Because river conditions and access points may change over time, use of the information in this guide is at the sole risk of the user.

Map of Boat Launches and River Features in the Willimantic River - Midriver

River Features

  1. Ten-foot-long rock dam from RIGHT bank
  2. Midstream boulder
  3. Standing waves downstream of several boulders
  4. Sharp turns
  5. Island by first UConn well (brick building)
  6. Go LEFT of island just after fourth UConn well
  7. Warning: Sharp RIGHT bend. Do not go straight (dead end). Make hard RIGHT turn. Watch for blowdowns and scout beyond turn.
  8. Island. Go LEFT.
  9. At upper end on Eagleville Lake, watch for large tree and turn into RIGHT channel.

Launches

L5 Heron Cove Park in Tolland

Location: South River Road, .5 miles south of Route 74; Distance from Start: 6.5 miles; Vehicle Parking: Excellent; River Access: Excellent; Comments: Park at end of lot and carry 200 feet on gravel road to launch site.

L6 End of Jones Crossing Road in Coventry

Location: End of Jones Crossing Road off Route 195, .5 miles west of Route 32; Distance from Start: 9.9 miles; Vehicle Parking: Good, limited; River Access: Excellent; Comments: Put in at south side of abutment. Bridge is now gone. Tricky takeout with rips just upstream. Private Property.

L7 Merrow Meadow Park in Mansfield

Location: South side of Merrow Road, .3 miles west of Route 32; Distance from Start: 10.8 miles; Vehicle Parking: Excellent; River Access: Very Good; Comments: On east side of river - at Merrow Meadow Park. Excellent parking and access. On west of river - limited parking on left. Easy 100 foot carry to good put in and take out.

L8 River Park in Mansfield

Location: North side of Plains Road .2 miles south of Route 32; Distance from Start: 13.7 miles; Vehicle Parking: Good/limited; River Access: Good; Comments: East side of river. Easy carry to launch 200 feet north of Plains Road in sheltered bay. This area is always canoeable upstream for .5 miles and downstream to Eagleville Lake, where there is good wildlife including blue herons, kingfishers, and beavers. It’s easy to miss the last turn to the lake. Look for a large tree at a fork. Go right there.

Maps created by Denise Burchsted from data provided by CT DEP through UConn's Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC). Data accessed on March 2005. Additional information provided by the Willimantic River Alliance.