Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Nashua River - from Harvard MA to Shirley MA Rating: Two Stars - On this stretch of the Nashua, the river is bounded on both sides by no-man's-lands. On the right bank, the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge has posted many signs along the river reminding kayakers not to land. On the left bank, is the Fort Devens military reservation again off-limits from the public. Which makes for a pristine tree-lined kayak route. Total paddle time was 1 hour 34 minutes on our tandem kayak with my wife.   Put in at Still River Depot Road   in Harvard MA. Take out left before dam on   Walker Road in Shirley MA. Estimated distance   = 5 miles Ayer Ice   House Dam   "Nashua" means "river with   the pebbled bottom". No landing on west bank.   Military reservation. Oxbow National Wildlife   Refuge (NWR)   Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

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Other resources: Nashua River Watershed Association US Fish & Wildlife Service: Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge US Fish & Wildlife Service: Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge brochure US Fish & Wildlife Service: Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge brochure (cached copy) REI Guidepost: Nashua River and the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge Wikipedia: Nashua River Number of original photos on this page : 101 All photos in this website are original and copyrighted. At Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge on Still River Depot Road in Harvard MA. Trip date September 2015. The launch area to Nashua River at the Oxbow refuge. The Boston Kayakers family: son, daughter, and wife. Looking upstream from the put in, a footbridge over the Nashua River. The concrete ramp is on a steep angle. A kid jumping into the Nashua River at the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. The Boston Kayaker and wife just launched into Nashua River. The Boston Kayaker's daughter taking pictures from the banks of Nashua River. At the right bank, the Oxbow refuge warning signs. The Boston Kayaker at the back half of the tandem kayak on Nashua River. Looking at our left, the Salt Rock Pond. Route 2 bridge ahead. Paddling under the Route 2 bridge over the Nashua River. Jackson Road bridge next. Some remnants of a chimney . . . ? A building on the left side. A couple of kayakers on Nashua River. Hospital Road bridge. Under the Hospital Road bridge over the Nashua River. Ayer Road bridge coming up. Take out is right after that bridge. The bridge has a clear sign about the dam ahead. Ayer Ice House on the right bank. The landing spot is on river left. Landed on the informaly take out at Walker Road. Paddle time is 1 hour 34 minutes. About 100+ feet from the take out is the Ayer Ice House Dam.