Nashwaak River Route

City of Fredericton municipal launch site at the former Penniac Bridge. There’s a short carry in of a few metres down a formalized path from parking lot down to the water. 

Penniac Stream at River Road Bridge (short, uneven carry in from parking area). It is possible to add 3 km to this route by starting at an informal launch site at the River Road Bridge where there is a small parking lot. This route begins briefing on the Penniac Stream and quickly joins the Nashwaak River. 

Most intermediate/advanced paddlers will start this segment at the City-owned launch site at the now-removed Penniac Bridge on the east side of the river.  For the first 1.5 km of the route, water flows nicely to the Nashwaak trail bridge, passing a series of small island-like structures.  These man-made islands were used to tie up logs from 19^th and early 20^th century forestry operations.  

It’s a beautiful paddle, with a rocky set of Class II rapids at a former dam site, starting about 750 m upriver from the Marysville Bridge. Most experienced paddlers choose to stay river right, but avoiding old dam structure, to navigate the rapids. 

This segment ends at the Marysville Heritage Centre launch site, just past the Marysville bridge, though most will choose to continue on through to the confluence of the Wolastoq/Saint John River. 

This short yet beautiful family-friendly 5.5 km paddle is almost entirely run through natural areas with no development.   

The route starts at an excellent City-owned launch at the Marysville Heritage Centre for an easy, flowing paddle. It’s perfect for paddlers looking for a short trip or a summer evening paddle. Deeper water is on the right, but just before the fork in the river at an island about 1 km down, it’s best to move to deeper narrow channel to the far left of the river (against the bank) to avoid the sandbar just before the island. There’s a fun stretch of quickly flowing water here until you get alongside the island.  

From here, it is lazy river paddling. The next 2 km is often a good area to spot nesting bald eagles, but you’ll also find ducks and geese in the area.   

Around the bend about 3 km down, there is a spectacular offshoot dead water with overhanging trees and the opportunity to see bank beavers and muskrat. For many, this is a highlight of the trail.   

There’s a great little beach for a picnic on river right at 4 km into this route.  

Next, you’ll come to Ram Island and to the right is Kaine Creek. Assuming there are no beaver dams, you can paddle about 1 km up the creek, which is also spectacular. 

The route ends at the Wolastoq/Saint John River, just past the vehicle bridge, which is just 250 m past the trail bridge. From here, it’s an easy 300 m upriver paddle to Carleton Parkow)/Picaroons Roundhouse.