Keswick River

A Route of Endless Turns

The Keswick River is a twisty, fun ride for intermediate paddlers on a narrow river with a consistent gentle current. This route, with dozens upon dozens of twists and turns, is a beautiful nature tour through the Keswick Valley, with it’s traditional agricultural landscapes with lovely, wooded sections.

Many sandy beaches along the way make for great picnic stops and are home ground for sandpipers. The route is frequented by many eagles and herons.

The river is good fun for most paddlers, but the sandy banks mean there can be a lot of tree fall. Paddlers should be able to exercise directional control around these sweepers.

The complete 25 km route, running from Upper Stone Ridge Road bridge to the Route 105 Bridge on the lower river or the Central York municipal launch (soon after the confluence with the Wolastoq (Saint John River) is a full-day paddle and could take 8-10 hours. It is tackled in sections by most.

Route Type

Signature Route

Seasonality

All Seasons

Difficulty

Intermediate

Community

Central York

Route Length

29.2

Key Highlights

Community: Central York
Route Type: Signature Route
Number of Segments: 4
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Total Distance: 25 km
Seasonal Information: All-season, spring until late fall

The Keswick River can be run throughout most of the paddling season, but it can get too shallow later in the summer and in periods of drought. It’s best in spring through mid-summer or after some rain. In mid-to-late summer it can get shallow in places and may require walking a few sections. The lowest section of the river connecting to the Wolastoq (Saint John River) from the Route 105 Bridge is accessible all season long.

Upper Stoneridge Road to Route 104

Route 104 Bridge to Tripp Settlement Road

Tripp Settlement Road to Beach Area

Another gentle paddle full of river bends. Many beaches along the way for picnics.
About 1 km downriver from Tripp Settlement Road, there’s often a lot of logs jammed on a bend in the river. It’s generally passable unless a storm has jammed it up, but it’s wise to approach the area with care.
There’s a wide beach just after Pugh’s Crossing where the powerlines cross the river. This is also where you can plan a take out or put in, but with a 200 metre carry in.
If you don’t take out here, it’s another 7 km to the next take out at the 105 Bridge, the longest segment of the Keswick down to the Route 105 bridge.

Powerlines Beach at Pugh’s Crossing

Views continue to be spectacular with overhanging trees and wildlife all around. There’s a mix of forest and farm throughout.
It’s a perfect stretch for eagle sighting, with several nest pairs usually in residences. Great Blue Herons are also common.
Along the sandy beach banks, you’ll see many sandpipers.
A few turns (maybe a kilometre) before the bridge take out, there’s a large colony of bank swallows that are very active in the mornings and evenings.
Bank beavers are also common on this stretch.
There’s an informal, but good, take out under the Route 105 Bridge, but go a little further and you’ll enter the final segment that joins the Wolastoq/Saint John River.

Route 105 Bridge to Central York Wolastoq (Saint John River) Municipal Launch

Nearby Amenities

Gas is available at Johnny’s Gas Bar