Wolastoq (Saint John River) and Keswick Islands

This section of the Wolastoq (Saint John River) is magical. A Canadian Heritage River, the area is sacred to the Wolostoqwik people, in particular Eqphahak Island which was an important gathering ground and known as the area “where the tide turns.” It is part of the Wolastoq National Historic Site of Canada.

It’s a signature trip in the region, perfect for short paddle or a full day trip. With multiple launch sites on both sides of the river, paddlers can pick their own route. Winding around several undeveloped islands, essentially wildlife preserves, you’ll feel completely surround by nature.

Regardless of whether you take the northside or southside route, you emerge from end up in the centre of the City with all it’s hotels, restaurants galleries and shops.

The basic route runs from just below the Mactaquac Dam through to Downtown Fredericton. Paddlers can choose to travel from the south or north side of the River, starting at a launch or finish at a take out of their choice.

It’s a surprisingly wild paradise where paddlers will explore the area the islands and grasslands. This is a bald eagle and Great Blue Heron playground with a high likelihood of seeing several of these magnificent big birds. Pick your own route meandering through the almost two dozen islands in this 20km segment. Most paddles will choose a shorter route.

Stop on Ross Island, owned by the City of Fredericton for a picnic.

Route Type

Great River Run

Seasonality

All Seasons

Difficulty

Beginner

Community

Central York

Fredericton

Route Length

38.6

Key Highlights

Community: Central York; Fredericton
Route Type: Great River Run
Number of Segments: 1 (various routes)
Difficulty Level: Moderate difficulty for intermediate with moving water, gentle current, and open sections below the islands that can get windy. There are no rapids or hazards.
Total Distance: Paddler’s choice up to 20 km
Seasonal Information: All-season, spring until late fall

This is an all-season paddle (May to November), though during long, significant droughts, there can be shallow sandbars in a few places, particularly in the channel between Sugar Island and Eqphahak Island and near the islands on the southern route. The northern route is somewhat deeper and can be paddled throughout the season.

Northside Route: Central York to Carleton Park/Picaroons Roundhouse

Putting in at Central York, you can immediately cross over toward the Sugar Island Padou, a 600 m ribbon of quiet water, often home to herons and beavers. From there it’s 1.5 km to what appears to be old bridge piers. In fact, they were used for tying up logs sent down the river after harvesting.
One more kilometre takes you to Eqphahak Island, an important sacred site for the Wolostoqiyik people. The island area was known as “where the tide turns.” It is okay to pull up on the wonderful beach, but given the sacred nature of the island, further exploration without an Indigenous host is not encouraged.
The channel between Sugar Island and Eqphahak Island flows north and prevents southward travel between these islands.
A 1.5 km trip brings you a collection of islands where paddlers can choose to travel through or around Big Chokey, Little Chokey, Parsnip Island, Currie Island, Hartt Island and McGibbon Island.
On the south side of the river, is Hartt Island Campground with a launch/take-out and a canteen making it a great spot to stop for a snack.
Further on the northside route are Nevers Island, Murray Island and Dunphy Island. You can paddle north or south around these islands as the current tends to be modest.
Next is Ross Island, owned by the City of Fredericton. There are a number of small sandy beaches on the south side of the island. Paddlers are encouraged to make their picnic stop here.
You can stay north from here around Clements Island, but the channel next to Jewett Island makes for a perfectly quiet, natural final stretch before the end of the islands route.
While paddling between the islands, it is likely you’ll spot beaver lodges and muskrat slides. The islands are also a birders dream, with sandpipers, redwing blackbirds, numerous ducks, geese, bald eagles, and Great Blue Herons.
Given the spectacular wildlife so close to the city and the history associated with this part of the river, it’s a must try route.
Many paddlers cross over to the southside here, ending their trip at either the Delta Marriot Hotel’s wonderful Drift Patio (the spot in the city for perfect sunsets) or the Fredericton River Centre, with its public launch.
Those wishing to stay on the northside of the river can continue to the official take-out at Cityview Avenue near the dog park and near Trailway Brewing or 2 km, further at Carleton Park, just steps away from the fabulous and historic Picaroons Roundhouse.
For those that love a physical challenge, it’s possible to bike and paddle this route, as a good trail runs along the route riverside.

Southside Route: McKinley Ferry, Hartt Island to Fredericton River Centre

McKinley Ferry launch is an informal launch site near the Kingsclear Fish Hatchery.
There are five additional launch/take-out sites along the southside of the river.
Most will choose to put in at the Central York Municipal launch on Route 104 on the northside or, for a shorter paddle, on the southside at Hartt Island Campground, the Old Salmon Club launch, and the launch at Angelview Park.
There are take-outs at the Delta Marriot Hotel, the Fredericton River Centre and further downriver at Morell Park.
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Old Salmon Club
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Old Salmon Club
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Hartt Island Campground
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Angelview Park
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Fredericton River Centre
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Morell Park
Paddlers can begin at the informal McKinley Ferry launch, but most would choose the northside Central York Municipal launch.
From McKinley Ferry, it is 4.5 km to the channel between Sugar Island and Eqphahak Island. It is especially enjoyable when the water is high enough, to flow with the current to the northside of the river.
Eqpahak Island is an important sacred site for the Wolostoqwik people. The island area was known as “where the tide turns.”
It is okay to pull up on a beach for a stop, but given the sacred nature of the island, we don’t encourage further exploration without an Indigenous host.
A 1.5 km trip brings you a collection of islands where you may paddle through or around Big Chokey, Little Chokey, Parsnip Island, Currie Island, Hartt Island and McGibbon Island).
On the southside of the river, there’s the Hartt Island Campground. There’s a launch/take out here and a canteen, making it a good mid-trip stop.
From here, it’s two kilometres to the Old Salmon Club take out/launch or another 6.5 km/7 km to the Delta Marriot Hotel/Fredericton River Centre. Hartt Island to the Delta makes for a nice, short evening paddle.
Continuing on the southside route from Hartt Island, paddlers will spot Nevers Island, Murray Island and Dunphy Island. You can paddle north or south around these islands as the current tends to be modest.
Next is Ross Island, owned by the City of Fredericton. There are a number of small sandy beaches on the south side of the island. Ross Island makes for a perfect picnic stop. The sandy bottom here also makes for good swimming.
From Ross Island, you can paddle the channel between Clements Island and Jewett Island.
Throughout the islands you’re likely to see beaver lodges and muskrat slides. It’s a birding paradise with sandpipers, redwing blackbirds, numerous ducks and geese, bald eagles and Great Blue Herons, which are all very common.
Given the spectacular wildlife so close to the City and the history associated with this part of the river, it is a signature route.
Many paddlers finish (or make a stop) at the Delta Marriot Hotel’s fabulous drift patio (awesome sunset spot) or the Fredericton River Centre, with its public docks, launch and the Fredericton Rowing Club. There is an accessible kayak dock here.
Those wishing to continue further pass through downtown, past some of the Capital’s top sights: the Legislature, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and the Cathedral. You’ll pass under the popular Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge, before taking out at Morell Park, 3 km from the Fredericton River Centre.

Nearby Amenities

Delta Hotel
Picaroons Roundhouse
Hartt Island Campground