Mattabesset River & Coginchaug River Kayak Adventure

Paddle through a Floodplain Forest and Freshwater Tidal Marsh, All Equipment and Transportation Provided. Paddle down the Mattabesset River in Cromwell to the Cognichaug River in Middletown. The trip will be 3 miles long and take 2 - 2.5 hours to complete. Register at: https://sites.google.com/view/wanderlust-adventure/home **What to Expect** Experience the natural beauty of two distinct Connecticut ecosystems as you paddle along the winding Mattabesset River and into the tranquil waters of the Coginchaug River. Between these two waterways, your journey will take you through a lush floodplain forest, where red maples and sycamores thrive in seasonally flooded soils, creating a rich corridor of biodiversity. As you navigate these serene channels, keep watch for an array of birdlife—tree swallows skimming the surface, red-winged blackbirds calling from the reeds, and ospreys soaring high above the treetops. The forested riverbanks may reveal glimpses of white-tailed deer, raccoons, muskrats, and even the occasional beaver gliding silently through the water or resting along the shore. Our journey concludes in a vibrant freshwater tidal marsh, alive with native plant life such as cattails, sweetflag, pickerelweed, arrow-arum, and bulrushes. This rich, dynamic habitat supports a complex web of life—from snapping turtles and water snakes to countless insects, mollusks, and fish—all of which rely on the marsh’s tidal flats, winding creeks, and wetlands for food, shelter, and breeding grounds. **Why I Love This Location** This paddle is one of my favorites because it feels like discovering a hidden gem tucked away in a surprisingly populated part of the state. It’s one of the few freshwater marshes in Connecticut, and it offers a rare window into a vibrant, often-overlooked ecosystem. I especially love how the sounds of the city gradually fade as we paddle deeper into nature—replaced by the growing chorus of bird songs and the quiet rustle of wind through the marshes and trees. Register at: https://sites.google.com/view/wanderlust-adventure/home