Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Lieutenant River - in Olde Lyme CT Rating: Two Stars - Lieutenant River is a tidal marsh lined mostly with marsh grass. Folllowed it upriver to its swampy origins and turned around. Wnite herons and ospreys. I launched over 2 hours before high tide and the Lieutenant River was flowing upsrtream my whole kayak trip. Paddle time was 1 hour and 45 minutes.   Put in at Shore Road / Route 156   in Olde Lyme CT. Paddle upriver   and return. Estimated round trip   distance = 5+ miles Best to start 1 hour+   before high tide. Florence Griswold   Museum Great Island   Wildlife Area 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:

Other resources: US Harbors: Tide Chart at Saybrook Point, CT CT Govt DEP: Lieutenant River State Boat Launch CT Govt: Lieutenant River Boat Launch in Old Lyme CT Florence Griswold Museum The Griswold House: Outside the Boardinghouse Number of original photos on this page : 82 All photos in this website are original and copyrighted. At the Route 156 bridge over the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme CT. Trip date is August 2016. The launch area to Lieutenant River next to the Route 156 bridge. A couple of kayakers landing. The Boston Kayaker just launched on Lieutenant River from Neck Road in Old Lyme CT. I immediately turned left upriver under the Route 156 bridge. Approaching the I-95 bridge. Just got past under the I-95 bridge and now approaching the Route 1 bridge. On my right is a river-front restaurant. A cove on my left. The Florence Griswold Museum on my right. A white heron on Lieutenant River. Another kayaker on Lieutenant River. I did not consult the map and end following this cove on the right. Just realized this is a dead end cove. Turned left to follow the Lieutenant River's main stem. Looking to my left downstream. A family of swans on Lieutenant River. This river keeps turning left and right. I finally got to this area where I can not follow the river anymore . . . I am here a swampy area and no clear headwaters. This is my point of return. Just turned around and now paddling back to where I came from. An osprey flying out of his/her nest on the banks of the Lieutenant River. White herons. Now I can see the Route 1 bridge. Florence Griswold Museum on my left. The museum has this tent set up. The same river-front restaurant on my left on Route 1. Under the Route 1 bridge. I-95 bridge in front. A coromorant on Lieutenant River. I can now see the Route 156 bridge take out. Passing under the Route 156 bridge. Landed. Paddle time is 1 hour and 45 minutes.