Ipswich River Water Trail
Welcome to Bradley Palmer landing! Bradley Palmer State Park’s 700 acres, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is one of several conservation areas that abuts the lower Ipswich River. The Ipswich River Water Trail map shows more of the watershed’s conservation areas. These natural places are important for both community enjoyment and protecting clean, sustainable water.
Above Paddlers upstream of Bradley Palmer landing reach at the old wooden bridge, one of the many scenic areas to explore on the Ipswich River Water Trail.
The Ipswich River Water Trail is funded by the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Mass Trails grant program and connects all the communities on the river. The improvements to the water trail include a water-resistant tree-free watershed map (free to Ipswich River members!) as well as an online version of the map that works with GPS tracking to pinpoint your exact location on the river.
The Ipswich River flows for 45 miles between its headwaters in Burlington, through Wilmington, Reading, North Reading, Middleton, Peabody, Topsfield, Hamilton and finally Ipswich where it empties into the Great Marsh. The river is mostly flat-water, with a few riffles that are especially great in the spring. Visit other locations on the Water Trail and look out for more informational QR codes!
River Warden and Masconomet Environmental Club officer Katie Bernard posts QR codes on trails in Lockwood Forest, Boxford. The QR codes include links to Katie and fellow club officer Marion Duval’s documentary Protecting Fish Brook.
Below Sunrise after Winter Storm by Ed Monnelly, taken right here at Bradley Palmer State Park, is one of the many spectacular photos on display in the interactive online gallery for Images on the Water, the Ipswich River Watershed Association's annual photo show. Local photographers share their unique perspectives of the watershed's natural beauty.
Get to know your watershed, with the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
Visit Riverbend! 143 County Street, Ipswich MA 01938 ipswichriver.org
