Best Family-Friendly Paddles in the Watershed

These seven easy, flatwater, portage-free, and free public access paddling trips are perfect places to start exploring the Royal River watershed. They are great for families and beginner paddlers and all are round-trip adventures, so you won’t have to arrange a car-drop or shuttle. See Royal River Water Trail for more information about any or all of these spots.

Royal River Park, Yarmouth - Launch at Yarmouth History Center (111 East Elm Street; park across the street in the Royal River Park lot) and paddle upstream on flat water with no current for six miles. Alternatively, you can rent a canoe from Yarmouth Community Services, stored at the launch. Canoe rentals include paddles and PFDs and are available from May 1 through November 1 for $10-$15. Call 207-846-2406 for more information on rentals.

Old Town House Park, North Yarmouth - Launch at 497 Memorial Highway and paddle downstream for up to six miles or paddle upstream along the Royal or Chandler Brook for as long as you choose.

New Gloucester Fairgrounds, New Gloucester - Launch at the Fairgrounds (38 Trotters Park) and paddle upstream two miles to the Tobey Road crossing. This stretch of river is a relatively flat paddle with a minor current. As you approach Tobey Road the river gets very narrow and full of alders. One larger beaver dam roughly half-way through this segment does require a short portage. The river passes under the Turnpike with clearance. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent for free at the Fairgrounds. Call the New Gloucester Library at  207-926-4840 for keys and more information.

Chandler Brook, Pownal and Durham - Launch at 799 Poland Range Road, Pownal and paddle upstream for 2.3 miles to the Old Chandler Mill Dam at Runaround Pond. This section is easy flatwater. If you’d like to continue upstream of the dam to Runaround Pond, you’ll find the portage on river-right along walking trails that will rejoin the pond upstream of the small dam, or portage a bit longer across the road to the boat ramp. Beaver dams and downed trees and ledges can sometimes be a challenge at low water levels just before reaching Runaround Pond. Paddlers can continue on to as much of Runaround Pond as they choose.

Chandler Mill Pond (aka Lily Pond), New Gloucester - Launch from Shaker Road (aka Snow Hill Road), New Gloucester, ME 04260 (43.985141, -70.312571) and explore this pristine 47-acre Royal River headwater pond. Chandler Mill Pond sits on 117 forested acres of preserved land and has no development along the shoreline or immediate watershed.

Runaround Pond, Durham - Launch at the Runaround Pond Recreation Area hand-carry boat launch. Soon after leaving the boat launch the winding pond creates a near-wilderness experience with miles of undeveloped forested shoreline, with several branches of the pond to explore.

Sandy Point Beach, Lanes Island, RRCT Littlejohn Island Preserve, Yarmouth - This paddle is best for sea kayaks.  Launch at Sandy Point Beach (1 Cousins Street) and explore the immediate coastline beyond the Royal River estuary. Among Cousins Island, Lanes Island, and Littlejohn Island, many destinations await. Low tide exposes sandy flats at Sandy Point and Lanes Island which makes for challenging paddling but excellent beaches. Lanes Island is a 28-acre public preserve owned by Maine Coast Heritage Trust that is most accessible at mid-to-high tide. The two best landing sites here are a small, gravelly beach near the northern end of the southeastern shoreline, and the western sandy beach closest to the mouth of the river. At Littlejohn Island Preserve kayakers will find a mix of natural landing spots and ledges. Paddlers are welcome to come ashore at the preserve for picnicking, exploring the trails, and relaxing on the beach. The Maine Island Trail provides more resources on paddling safety and destinations just beyond the trip options described here.