Kayaking

Join The Trustees of Reservations and Essex River Basin Adventures (ERBA) for a guided kayak paddle of Crane Wildlife Refuge in Essex Bay. This introductory paddle teaches participants the basics of sea kayaking before setting out to explore what Yankee Magazine called "the best place to kayak in New England."

Late spring is a great time to experience on-the-water ecology, and kayaking is the perfect way to capture every moment. From wading birds to waterfowl, the salt marshes provide the backdrop to sights and sounds that are uniquely available from the water. Kayaking quietly on the calm waters of the Plum Island Sound, we'll visit secluded areas where we can witness wildlife without disturbing their activities. We may even see horseshoe crabs mating!

Mid-October is an excellent time to take in the spectacular and stunning colors provided by the Ipswich River. The riverside silver maples will be showing off their yellow-gold, while the cattails and other marsh grasses will provide beautiful greens and browns, all set against the winding blues and blacks of the river. Have your family join us for a few hours as we explore this pristine habitat via a gentle paddle in canoes. With a little luck we might encounter a beaver, otter, or muskrat as well!

Join park staff from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in a kayak/canoe paddle through the great marsh as part of Trails & Sails 2012! Refuge staff will lead an informative tour inside this wonderful natural resource!

Explore the beautiful Ipswich River with your family on a Saturday afternoon. We'll paddle this gentle river to enjoy the early fall foliage, observe the surrounding marshes, and bid farewell to the summer. Along the way, we'll stop to stretch our legs and enjoy some ice cream!

The 2012 YANKEE HOMECOMING FAMILY DAY at Maudslay State Park is slated to be better than ever with more activities for kids of all ages, more demonstrations on the main stage and a focus on having activities for family members ages 1-100! Check the page link below for stage performance artists &  times, event times and a list of all participants.

Late spring is a great time to experience on-the-water ecology, and kayaking is the perfect way to capture every moment. From wading birds to waterfowl, the salt marshes provide the backdrop to sights and sounds that are uniquely available from the water. Kayaking quietly on the calm waters of the Plum Island Sound, we'll visit secluded areas where we can witness wildlife without disturbing their activities. We may even see horseshoe crabs mating!

Join The Trustees and Essex River Basin Adventures for a guided kayak paddle of the Crane Wildlife Refuge. During this specialty paddle, we will set off by boat in search of migrating horseshoe crabs in Essex Bay. Price includes kayak rental and equipment, tour guides, and launch fees. To register within 48 hours of a paddle, please contact the beach office by phone.

Every year, horseshoe crabs crawl up onto sandy beaches to mate and lay eggs during certain spring high tides. Horseshoe crabs live their lives on the bottom of the ocean so their annual trip to the beach is your chance to see this ancient species in action. We will kayak on the calm waters of Plum Island Sound to secluded areas where the crabs are not disturbed to view this spectacle.

La Vida Adventure Camp at Gordon College is hosting a day of family fun and adventure on the Gordon College campus, sponsored by La Vida and the Recreation and Leisure Studies Department. The Family Adventure Day is a day long program with the option to extend the adventure into the night by camping.