Oromocto River - Sunpoke Creek Loop | Wolastoq Watershed Paddling Network

This is a signature recreational route in Wolastoq Watershed Paddling Network.

For paddlers who revel in twists and turns in a vast wilderness setting, the Sunpoke Loop is a beautiful step deeper into the Oromocto River watershed’s everglade-like back channels and magnificent wetlands.

It’s a favourite among locals looking for a quiet wilderness paddle with a touch of adventure. It’s enough to make you feel like you’ve slipped completely off the grid, but just 30 minutes from downtown Fredericton and 15 minutes from the Town of Oromocto.

The 7.5 km route runs 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on pace and side trips.

Route Type

Signature Route

Seasonality

All Seasons

Difficulty

Beginner-Intermediate

Community

Sunbury-York South

Route Length

7.3

Key Highlights

Community: Sunbury-York South
Route Type: Signature Route
Number of Segments: 1
Difficulty Level: Beginner-Intermediate, moderate difficulty due to the length of the paddle and the possibility of encountering some winds on the lake.
Total Distance: approximately 7 km
Seasonal Information: All-season, spring until late fall. The Sunpoke Loop is accessible all season but especially rewarding in spring and summer.

Oromocto River-Sunpoke Loop

This 7.5 km paddle travels through three different wildlife ecosystems: the wide and deep Oromocto River, the narrow, wooded Sunpoke Creek and the wide-open grassy wetlands of White Pond and Sunpoke Lake.
From the put in/parking area on the westside of the Sunpoke Bridge, this easily paddled, all-season, loop route takes you 3 km north down the Oromocto River with a gentle current.
After about 2 km, on river right, there’s the Hilyard Dugway entrance into French Lake (home to the Sunbury-Oromocto Campground. The lake makes for a nice additional side trip. Watch for Great Blue Herons which are often seen in the grasslands along this dugway.
Another kilometre flowing with the Oromocto River takes you to the entrance of Sunpoke Creek. From here, it’s return trip south and into the narrow, winding vein of the creek and into the wetlands of White Pond and Sunpoke Lake. This low-current, easily paddled waterway is magical, with overhanging trees leading to a wetland of tall grasses.
At about 1 km up the Sunpoke Creek, there’s a highly recommended side trip into White Pond, another stunning wetland rich in wildlife.
There’s an incredible population of ducks and other waterfowl in the wetlands of White Pond and into Sunpoke Lake. Keep an eye out for herons, eagles, osprey and kingfishers along the way. Emerging from the tall wetland grasses into Sunpoke Lake proper, paddlers cut across to the entrance of the dugway. The lake can occasionally get windy, but this is easily overcome by hugging the shoreline.
One of many dugways in the watershed, this short manmade canal (about 250 m) once carried cut logs to shipment points. It leads right to the parking area.
This route can be paddled all season, but when water is very low from drought conditions, the takeout can involve a few muddy final metres back to the parking area. So, best not to wear your best white sneakers. At normal water levels, you’ll paddle right back to the car.

Nearby Amenities

Hanson Art Gallery
Nearby accommodations Sunbury Oromocto Park Campground (kayak rentals, days use $10)
Days Inn Hotel Oromocto
Grimross Brewing at Hazen Park