- Read our review guidelines
Looking for the best places to go kayaking in Connecticut?
Amid its serene lakes and snaking rivers, the state unfolds a palette of paddling adventures for everyone.
Traverse stunning landscapes, witness wildlife in their habitat, and let the allure of nature wash over you, all from the seat of your own kayak.
Before you pack up your bags, let us show you our favorite CT kayaking spots and how to get there…
21 Best Places To Kayak In Connecticut
1: Squantz Pond State Park, Fairfield County
Squantz Pond State Park can be an excellent place for kayakers of all levels looking to explore nature. Situated on the shores of both Squantz Pond and Candlewood Lake, the park has easy access to both bodies of water.
Candlewood Lake is the largest lake in Connecticut and there’s 60 miles of shoreline to explore. You’ll find sandy beaches, marinas, and some of the most picturesque landscapes in the state.
Class of Rapids rating:
N/A – flatwater lake, easy
Where to launch & how to get there:
178 Shortwoods Road, New Fairfield, CT 06812
2: Bluff Point State Park, New London County
Bluff Point State Park lets you launch directly onto the Poquonnock River that flows alongside the airport on one side and a nature preserve on the other.
The Poquonnock River is a tidal river, so it’s a good idea to check the tide times before you head off. From the launch at Bluff Point State Park, it’s an easy 20-minute paddle to the Long Island Sound.
A great place to stop for a picnic is Bushy Point Beach. You can also paddle around Bluff Point to Mumford Cove.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I/II – easy, slow-moving river and coastal waters
Where to launch & how to get there:
55 Depot Road, Groton, CT 06340
3: Mystic River
Paddling along the Mystic River can let you experience the historic town of Mystic from the water. You can get up close to some of the historic resident tall ships and paddle under the railroad bridge.
You can paddle around the sheltered waters of Mystic Harbor or make your way over to Mason’s Island.
One island you don’t want to miss is Sixpenny Island, a wildlife refuge. The shallow waters of Sixpenny Island are only accessible to kayaks and dinghies.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I/II – easy, slow-moving river with sheltered coastal waters
Where to launch & how to get there:
Water Street Public Dock, Water Street, Mystic, CT 06355
4: Eagle Landing State Park, Middlesex County
Eagle Landing State Park lies on the banks of the Connecticut River near Haddam. This is one of the newest Connecticut state parks and one of the best places to kayak if you want to spot bald eagles in their natural habitat.
Just downstream from the launch, you’ll find Chapman Pond on the eastern side of the river. You can paddle into the quiet waters of the pond, a wildlife preserve, where you might spot rare golden eagles.
You’ll also find places to camp or stop for a picnic if you want a longer trip downstream on the Connecticut River.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I/II – easy to moderate, generally slow-moving river
Where to launch & how to get there:
14 Little Meadow Road, Haddam, CT 06438
5: Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven County
Lighthouse Point Park overlooks the Long Island Sound to the south of New Haven.
Calm, peaceful waters can be found paddling into Morris Creek and exploring the Morris Creek Nature Preserve.
A longer adventure can be enjoyed by paddling around the shores of East Haven toward the Farm River and the picturesque rocky islands and sandy coves in Granite Bay.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I/II – easy to moderate flatwater creek (Morris Creek) and coastal waters
Where to launch & how to get there:
2 Lighthouse Road, New Haven, CT 06512
6: Bigelow Hollow State Park, Tolland County
Bigelow Hollow State Park can be an ideal place if you’re looking for a peaceful paddling spot.
Mashapaug Lake has clear, calm waters, sheltered by the surrounding forest. You can explore the wooded shoreline, with plenty of places to stop for a picnic.
There’s a smaller lake (Bigelow Pond) to the south of Mashapaug Lake, also with a boat ramp. And there’s a third, more secluded lake (Breakneck Pond), to the east. Breakneck Pond is only accessible by portaging for about a mile along a trail.
Class of Rapids rating:
N/A – flatwater lake, easy
Where to launch & how to get there:
Mashapaug Pond Boat Launch, Bigelow Brook, Union, CT 06076
7: Farmington River, Litchfield County
The Upper Farmington River is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River flowing from the Goodwin Dam to the confluence with the Nepaug River. This is an excellent place for kayaking through natural scenery, with mild rapids to add excitement.
A great spot to launch is at Riverton. This can give you a two-hour scenic trip along to the takeout at Satan’s Kingdom Recreation Area.
Just beyond Satan’s Kingdom is a section of Class III rapids, so it’s best to avoid this if you’re new to kayaking.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I to III – easy to moderate with mild rapids and one section of Class III rapids at Satan’s Kingdom
Where to launch & how to get there:
Main Street, Riverton, Barkhamsted CT 060065
8: Bantam Lake
Bantam Lake is Connecticut’s largest natural lake, covering almost 950-acres. There are 10 miles of shoreline to explore, with lots of sandy beaches and multiple launch points.
At the northern end of the lake, you can paddle into the Bantam River, a flat, slow-moving river that can be paddled in any direction. Paddling north up the quiet Bantam River will bring you to the aptly-named Little Pond, surrounded by marshes.
This is a popular spot for wildlife viewing.
You can also launch directly into the Bantam River from Whites Wood Road bridge.
Class of Rapids rating:
N/A – easy, flatwater lake
Where to launch & how to get there:
48-54 Palmer Road, Morris, CT 06763
9: Quinnipiac River
The Quinnipiac River is a slow-moving river that begins its journey near Dead Wood Swamp and flows through several towns and cities as it makes its way to the Long Island Sound.
There are opportunities to spot wildlife as well as paddle alongside culturally and historically significant sites.
Upstream from the Front Street launch, you can paddle through the Quinnipiac River Marsh. These tidal salt marshes are home to bald eagles and ospreys.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I/II – easy, generally slow-moving river but with strong currents near bridges
Where to launch & how to get there:
Front Street, New Haven, CT 06513
10: Mount Tom Pond
Mount Tom Pond is a picturesque pond within Mount Tom State Park. The state park is one of the oldest in Connecticut and is home to a stone tower that sits on the summit of Mount Tom.
It’s worth hiking up to the tower after you’ve explored the water – the views are incredible.
You can launch your kayak at the beach and paddle around the quiet shores. The water is flat and ideal for families and beginners.
Class of Rapids rating:
N/A – easy, flatwater lake
Where to launch & how to get there:
Mt. Tom Road, Washington, CT 06777
11: Saugatuck River
The Saugatuck River can be a relaxing place to paddle despite being in a mostly urban environment.
From the launch under the I-95, you can paddle north past waterfront homes to downtown Westport. Or you can head south, past more waterfront homes, to the Long Island Sound where you can explore the coves and creeks of Connecticut’s coastline.
The river is tidal, so keep that in mind when you plan your trip.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I/II – easy to moderate tidal river (mostly slow-moving)
Where to launch & how to get there:
Connecticut State Boat Launch, Elaine Road, Westport, CT 06880
12: Quinebaug Lake, Windham County
Quinebaug Lake, also known as Wauregan Reservoir, is an 88-acre lake with crystal clear water. With a forested shoreline and only non-motorized boats allowed, this can be a peaceful place to kayak, often with very few others using the water.
It’s also a pretty good place for kayak fishing, with bass and catfish being the target species.
This is a flatwater lake that can be a great place for beginners and families. The calm, sheltered waters also make this a good spot for canoeing or paddle boarding.
Class of Rapids rating:
N/A – easy, flatwater lake
Where to launch & how to get there:
75 Shepard Hill Road, Danielson, CT 06239
13: Connecticut River, Hartford County
The Connecticut River flows through the city of Hartford. Launching at the Riverfront Boathouse can be an excellent place for viewing the Hartford skyline. You can also paddle underneath the historic Bulkeley Bridge followed by the Founders Bridge.
Despite being in a city, much of the river is lined with trees, parkland and natural scenery. There are also wildlife refuges and meadows as the river flows out of Hartford.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I – easy, slow-moving river
Where to launch & how to get there:
Riverfront Boathouse, 20 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT 06120
14: Niantic River
The Niantic River can be an excellent place for novice kayakers as well as more experienced kayakers.
The protected river features calm water and can be a great place to practice your paddling technique as you explore the shoreline.
For the more experienced paddlers, you can head through the inlet and out into Niantic Bay on the Long Island Sound. The inlet can be very busy with boat traffic and there are strong currents, so I don’t recommend paddling out into the bay if you’re a beginner.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I/II – easy, slow-moving river with coastal conditions in the bay
Where to launch & how to get there:
Niantic River Boat Launch, Waterford, CT 06385
15: Highland Lake
Highland Lake is a scenic lake with waterfront homes along most of the shoreline. There are three bays that make up the lake and there are several coves to explore.
The launch is at the northern end of the lake, where you’ll find a large parking lot. There’s also a marina that offers kayak rentals.
The lake is surrounded by trees and wooded hills, making this a particularly scenic place to kayak in the fall.
Class of Rapids rating:
N/A – easy, flatwater lake
Where to launch & how to get there:
Highland Lake Boat Launch, 278 W. Lake Street, Winsted, CT 06089
16: Little Narragansett Bay
Little Narragansett Bay is a shallow bay at the mouth of the Wequetequock River. This can be a fun place to paddle in coastal waters, with lots of coves and islands to check out
I’d recommend using a sea kayak if you plan to head out far from the shore.
One of the highlights of this bay is the Sandy Point Nature Preserve. This is essentially a large sandbar that you can only reach by boat. It’s a protected nesting site for birds, so dogs are not allowed.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I/II – easy to moderate coastal waters
Where to launch & how to get there:
Barn Island Boat Launch, 249 Palmer Neck Road, Pawcatuck, CT 06379
17: Thimble Islands
The Thimble Islands are a group of 365 islands off the Connecticut coast near Stony Creek. Some of the islands are tiny, some have little houses perched on them, and some are larger and feature much grander homes.
This is an interesting place to paddle, with so many islands to paddle around. Most are privately owned so you can’t stop for a picnic. But you can head to Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge on Outer Island.
Class of Rapids rating:
Class I/II – easy to moderate coastal conditions
Where to launch & how to get there:
Stony Creek Beach, Branford, CT 06405
18: Gardner Lake
Gardner Lake is a 528-acre lake surrounded by forests and several campgrounds. This is generally a quiet lake with good opportunities to view wildlife, including many ducks that call the lake home.
It’s around four miles to paddle around the entire shoreline, making it a good place for a morning or afternoon paddling session.
There are several spots where you can stop for a rest or have lunch. You can also paddle around Minnie Island State Park.
Class of Rapids rating:
N/A – easy, flatwater lake
Where to launch & how to get there:
Gardner Lake Boat Launch, 126 Old Colchester Road, Salem, CT 06420
19: Pattaconk Reservoir
Pattaconk Reservoir lies within Cockaponset State Forest, the second-largest state forest in Connecticut.
With the reservoir surrounded by forests, it can feel quite secluded and remote, making it a great place to relax and explore the shoreline. There are also great hiking trails through the forest.
If you like kayak fishing, this is an excellent place to catch bass and bullhead catfish.
Class of Rapids rating:
N/A – easy, flatwater lake
Where to launch & how to get there:
State Forest Road, Chester, CT 06412
20: Indian Well State Park
Indian Well State Park sits on the banks of the Housatonic River.
The slow-moving waters of the Housatonic River can make an ideal kayaking location for all skill levels, with beautiful forest and mountain scenery providing a picturesque backdrop.
From the launch at the state park, you can head in either direction. But if you head downstream, be sure to take out before the Derby-Shelton Dam.
Class of Rapids rating:
N/A – easy, flatwater
Where to launch & how to get there:
1 Indian Well Road, Shelton, CT 06484
21: Lake Zoar
Lake Zoar is a reservoir on the Housatonic River, with the scenic Paugussett State Forest lining its western shores.
This is an excellent place for beginners and families to kayak, thanks to the calm, sheltered waters.
One thing you might notice is how extremely clear the lake is, allowing you to see several feet under the water.
Class of Rapids rating:
N/A – easy, flatwater
Where to launch & how to get there:
Lake Zoar Public Boat Launch, 210 Scout Road, Southbury, CT 06488
Kayak Rentals & Tours Around Connecticut
You don’t always need to have your own kayak to explore the best Connecticut kayaking locations.
Here are a few of the kayak rental services at some of the spots on the list.
- Candlewood Kayak Rental – Candlewood Lake, rentals & tours
- Blue Heaven Kayak & Paddle Board Rentals – Mystic River, rentals
- Adventure Mystic – Mystic River, rentals
- Collinsville Canoe & Kayak – Farmington River, rentals
- Quinnipiac River Marina, Quinnipiac River, rentals
- Metacomet Canoe and Kayak – Connecticut River, rentals
- Three Belles Outfitters – Niantic River, rentals & tours
- The Marina at Highland Lake – Highland Lake, rentals
- Branford River Paddlesports – Thimble Islands, rentals & tours
- Lake Zoar Family Marina and Kayak Rentals – Lake Zoar, rentals
Final Words Of CT Kayaking
Connecticut has a lot to offer for your next kayaking adventure.
From scenic rivers and picturesque lakes to historic estuaries and coastlines, there’s something for everyone.
Have you found a better kayaking spot in Connecticut? Don’t keep it a secret. Tell us about it.
> Best places to kayak near me
