Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Ipswich River - from Middleton MA to Topsfield MA


Rating: Two-and-a-Half Stars - I paddled with my favorite neigbor Anthonh. This was a fun paddle with many mini-challenges sliding over trees, sliding under them. Most of this slice of Ipswich River is undeveloped and pristine to the green. There was also a beaver dam that was overflowing and dropping about 2 feet on the other side. When we heard the rushing waters, we paddled to the side and had a look first and decided it was runnable! All that scenic green shores, the strainers, an overflowing beaver dam, I give this Ipswich River stretch high marks. We paddled the route for 2 hours 18 minutes including the 6+ minutes break when we beached at the Thunder Bridge rec area.

  Put in at Route 62 / Maple
  Street in Middleton MA.
Take out at Salem Road
  in Topsfield MA.
Estimated distance
  = 5.5 miles
Thunder Bridge
  Recreation Area
Topsfield
  Fair Grounds

Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

Download printer-friendly
PDF version that fits in one page:
Kayaking on Ipswich River - from Middleton MA to Topsfield MA

Other resources:
Foote Brothers canoe & kayak rentals


Number of original photos on this page : 78
All photos in this website are original and copyrighted.



On the west side of Route 62 / Maple Street bridge in Middleton MA.


Route 62 bridge over the Ipswich River viewed from the northwest side.


The Boston Kayaker and neighbor Anthony just launched on Ipswich River in Middleton MA.

















Another kayaker on Ipswich River.











Another kayaker on Ipswich River.





A beaver lodge on Ipswich River.
































A Virgin Mary statue on the bank of Ipswich River.





Access to Ipswich River from Peabody Street in Middleton MA.


Approaching Peabody Street bridge in Middleton MA.


Passing under Peabody Street bridge.





The Boston Kayaker on Ipswich River.





The Boston Kayaker pointing out the trees chewed on by beavers.











The East Street bridge. Also know as "Thunder Bridge".


We will be taking a break on this beach on the right.


We beached for a rest at the Thunder Bridge beach and recreation area.





This family did not paddle too long before turning around . . .


Back to Ipswich River.


Need to slide over these trees.





Another tree to slide over.


Need to paddle to the left to go around this tree.





The I-95 bridges coming up.





In between the south-bound (behind us) and north-bound (in front) I-95 bridges.


























We heard the sound of rushing water and stopped on the side of this beaver dam to have a look first.
From the left side, I can see the Ipswich River flowing over this beaver dam and falling about two feet.


Decided this beaver dam is runnable.
This picture taken moments before I plunged . . .


Anthony followed me after I showed him how its done.














Rowley Street bridge.











A private foot bridge.




















Trip ends at Salem Road in Topsfield MA.
Total trip time is 2 hours and 18 minutes.