Rusagonis Stream Route - Rusagonis Bridge to Bear Creek Loop

For those seeking solitude and an off-the-grid feel in complete wilderness, the Rusagonis Stream is a fantastic recreational choice, just 20 minutes from downtown Fredericton (10 minutes from the Town of Oromocto).

There’s a slow & gentle, easily managed current on this 20 km (or less) up and back loop. It’s great for all levels of paddlers and free of motorized craft.

With good depth, this emmersed-in-nature blue trail can be paddled spring through autumn and is spectacularly beautiful during the fall foliage dream paddle season.

Winding its way through a forested area in and into a vast wetland, the Rusagonis Stream is ideal for slow, meditative paddling.

Route Type

Loops & Lakes

Seasonality

All Seasons

Difficulty

Beginner

Community

Sunbury-York South

Route Length

Key Highlights

Community: Sunbury-York South
Route Type: Loops & Lakes
Number of Segments: 1
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Total Distance: Up to 20 km downstream and back loop. Route can be shortened to paddler’s desire.
Seasonal Information: The Rusagonis Stream is an all-season route. Water levels fluctuate throughout the year with higher levels in the spring, but they remain high enough to paddle right through fall.

Loop from the Rusagonis Road Bridge

This loop begins east of the Rusagonis Road Bridge offers options to paddle downstream up to 20 km (10 km each way) though most will choose to turn around sooner.
Heading upstream from the launch site, it quickly turns shallow.
Downstream paddlers do a loop and return to their launch point at the end of this adventure.
With hardwoods drooping overhead, and an array of birds, the Rusagonis Stream (at 30 m wide, more of a river) offers a remote nature experience. It’s not uncommon to see eagles, herons and more. Watch the riverbank for deer.
It’s spectacular during our paddling dream season (late September to early November), when foliage breaks into fiery fall colours.
Heading downstream, the route crosses under an NB trail bridge before opening to magnificent wetlands around the bend (about 3 km from start point).
Following the channel to the right, paddlers are eventually led to a beaver dam where it’s time to turn back.
By going left, it’s possible to paddle all the way to the Oromocto River via the Waasis Pond, and further to the Town of Oromocto, but this would require some planning as it’s a longer more advanced route due to its length.
Before leaving the area, stop by Smiley Seahorse Ceramics (by appointment only) on Rusagonis Road less than 500 meters away from bridge launch site.
- Smiley Seahorse Ceramics
- Gornabilly Tubing

Nearby Amenities

Smiley Seahorse Ceramics
Gornabilly Tubing