Directions to Charlemont, Ma to paddle the Deerfield River

Directions to Charlemont, Ma to paddle the Deerfield River.

Cell 201 401 1138

Use these directions as a guide only. It is very important that you bring a map with you. There is no cell service in or around Charlemont or the Deerfield River. This is the “back road” way to go. It may not seem the shortest but for the most part it avoids most of the ever-present traffic jams on I-91 & I-87.

From Northwest New Jersey

Take 287 North to Route 87 South (yes, South) then pick up the Palisades Parkway North, following the signs to Bear Mountain. When you come to a traffic circle take the route that allows you to drive over the Bear Mountain Bridge. After you pass over the bridge make the first left onto Route 9-D.

Follow 9-D to the middle of Cold Spring and then make a right onto Route 301.

Follow Route 301 past Farnstock State Forest and then watch for signs for the Taconic Parkway North. Take the Taconic Parkway North to the last exit before the toll. At the end of the ramp make a left then at the stop sign make a right onto 295. At end of 295 make left on Route 41 north. At end of Route 41 make right onto Route 20. Take 20 into Pittsfield. Gas stations are few and far between after Pittsfield and all close very early, gas up now. In Pittsfield pick up Route 9. 9 will merge with Route 8. Stay on 9/8 until you can make a left onto 8A north. Just before the turn for 8-A is the last gas station until Charlemont. Take 8A north to the stop sign at 116/8A. Make a right here.

Make the first left onto 8A north. Follow 8A North until it finally runs along the train tracks and then makes a sharp left over the tracks and the Deerfield River. At the stop sign turn right onto Route 2 East for the Charlemont Inn or Country Aire Campground or left onto Route 2 West for Zoar Outdoor (on your right) the put-ins/take-outs for the river or Mohawk Trail State Forest.

YOU MADE IT!

Route 80 East to 287 North (NJ) to 87 North (NY). Take 87 North (130 miles) to exit 21-A (Route 90 East) Mass Pike. Continue on Route 90 East for 23 miles to exit B3 (Route 22) At the stop sign make a left then left again onto Route 22 North. Follow 22 North until you can make a Right onto 295 east. At end of 295 make left on Route 41 north. At end of Route 41 make right onto Route 20. Take 20 into Pittsfield. Gas stations are few and far between after Pittsfield, gas up now. In Pittsfield pick up Route 9. 9 will merge with Route 8. Stay on 9/8 until you can make a left onto 8A north. Take 8A north to the stop sign at 116/8A. Make a right here.

If you are camping at Peppermint Park follow the directions in the first bracket if not skip the first bracket section only.

If you are camping at Windsor State Forest, skip the first bracket and follow the directions in the second bracket only, if not skip both bracket sections and see …………………continuing on to Charlemont:

If you are not camping at Peppermint or Windsor skip both bracket sections and see …………………continuing on to Charlemont:

First Bracket section: (Follow only if you are camping at Peppermint Park). You are now on 8-A/116. Continue on Route 116, past the turn for 8A, about 7-8 miles. Carefully look for an old red barn on your left. This marks the road that the campground is on. There is also a large sign here. Make a left at this barn and follow this road until you see the next sign for the camp. You must check in at the office before 9:00pm. They close promptly at 9pm and have a gated entrance. (If you are camping alone and are late don’t waste your time, you will not get in.) You must park your car in front of the office and walk to the site. Please be quiet when you walk to the site. The owners live in the campground and have thrown loud people out in the past!!) End of First Bracket Section go to …………………continuing on to Charlemont:

Second Bracket Section (Follow only if you are camping at Windsor Forest)

You are now on 8-A/116. Drive past the small white steeple church on your right. Look for the Brown Windsor State Forest sign on your right. Make the next right onto River Road (note hand made River Road sign on telephone pole) Follow River Road for 3 miles. The campsites are on your left and the area to check in is on the right over the small bridge. If you are staying at the Group Site it is located on the same side of the river as the check-in hut. It is located at the opposite end of the parking lot past (but not over) the bridge.

End of second bracket section

…………………continuing on to Charlemont:

Make the first left onto 8A north. Follow 8A North until it finally runs along the train tracks and then makes a sharp left over the tracks and the Deerfield River. At stop sign turn right onto Route 2 East for the Charlemont Inn or Country Aire Campground or left onto Route 2 West for Zoar Outdoor (on your right), the put-ins/take-outs for the river or Mohawk State Forest.

YOU MADE IT!

Alternate Route: From North Jersey

Take Route 17 North or 287 North to Route 87 North. Take 87 North to Exit 17 and pick up Route 84 East. Take Route 84 East to the Taconic Parkway North. Take the Taconic Parkway North to the last exit before the toll. At the end of the ramp make a left then at the stop sign make a right onto 295. At end of 295 make left on Route 41 north. At end of Route 41 make right onto Route 20. Take 20 into Pittsfield. Gas stations are few and far between after Pittsfield and all close very early, gas up now. In Pittsfield pick up Route 9. 9 will merge with Route 8. Stay on 9/8 until you can make a left onto 8A north. Just before the turn for 8-A is the last gas station until Charlemont. Take 8A north to the stop sign at 116/8A. Make a right here.

If you are camping at Peppermint Park follow the directions in the first bracket if not skip the bracket section. Be Sure to skip the second bracket

If you are camping at Windsor State Forest, skip the first bracket and follow the directions in the second bracket, if not skip both bracket sections

First Bracket section: You are now on 8-A/116. Continue on Route 116, past the turn for 8A, about 7-8 miles. Carefully look for an old red barn on your left. This marks the road that the campground is on. There is also a large sign here. Make a left at this barn and follow this road until you see the next sign for the camp. You must check in at the office before 9:00pm. They close promptly at 9pm and have a gated entrance. (If you are camping alone and are late don’t waste your time, you will not get in.) You must park your car in front of the office and walk to the site. Please be quiet when you walk to the site. The owners live in the campground and have thrown loud people out in the past!!) End of first bracket section (go to …………………continuing on to Charlemont:)

Second Bracket Section

You are now on 8-A/116 Drive past the small white steeple church on your right. Look for a small brown Windsor State Forest sign on your right. Make the next right onto River Road (note hand made “River Road” sign on telephone pole) Follow River Road for 3 miles. The campsites are on your left and the area to check in is on the right over the small bridge. This is also where the group site is located.

End of second bracket section

…………………continuing on to Charlemont:

YOU MADE IT!

Alternate Directions to Windsor State Forest

From the east: Massachusetts Turnpike (Rte I-90) to Exit 4 (Rte. 91, Holyoke). Follow Rte. 91 North to Exit 19 and the intersection with Rte. 9 in Northampton. Follow Route 9 West to West-Cumming ton: Turn right into the village of West Cummington. Turn north on River Road, the Forest begins after 4 miles. Look for the campsites with tents on your right. The place to check in is opposite that on your left. You must drive or walk over that bridge to check in. This is also where the group site is located

Directions to Mohawk Trail State Forest.

From the Intersection of Route 8-A and Route 2 make a left onto Route 2. Drive past Zoar Outdoor on your right, then the turn for Rowe/Monroe, continue on Route 2 over two bridges (one River & one Train) around a fairly tight left turning curve, notice three places where the grass is worn away from cars parking on your right. SLOW DOWN a lot, the entrance to Mohawk IS very easy to miss and is coming up on your right! At the Mohawk sign make a right, stop at the guardhouse and check in. If you are still on Route 2 and drive over another bridge you missed it! Turn around and it will be the first left.

Do not bring any food in your tent. There are definitely Black Bears in this park!

From Ct to Charlemont

Interstate 90 North to State Route 2 South to State Route 112 North to Route 2 West 7 miles.

Directions to the Take outs (Fifebrook only)

From Route 8A left onto Route 2 West past Zoar Outdoor to first right (Rowe Monroe). Continue past trailer park. At “T “ intersection make a left onto a narrow road, which immediately goes under a train trestle. Follow this road until you see Zoar Picnic Area on your left. The next dirt parking area on your right is the take out (just before the bridge) if you want to paddle Zoar Gap (class III+). For a strictly class II paddle continue over the bridge and park in the first dirt area on the right.

Directions to the Put in (Fifebrook only)

From either take out turn right and continue along the river and up the hill (long drive). As you drive up the big hill you will see a wide dirt road on your right. This is the put-in. You will see many other people/ kayaks/canoes and cars in there. Be sure to take your keys with you. Hide all valuables, I have seen cars broken into here..

Directions to the take out (Dryway only)

From the Charlemont Inn. Take Route 2 West past Zoar Outdoors to first right (Rowe Monroe) Continue past trailer park. At “T “ intersection make a left onto a narrow road, which immediately goes under a train trestle. Follow this road until you see Zoar Picnic Area on your left. Continue over the bridge and along the river. As you climb a long hill you will pass the put-in for the Fifebrook. Make no turns. After a few miles you will see a parking area on your right. This is well defined and marked. This is the takeout for the Dryway. Your walk will be shorter if you can park on the right side.

Directions to the put-in (Dryway only)

Please remember this river is NOT for beginners or intermediates, you must have a fool proof Combat Roll. IF you wet exit on this section you will get hurt! Many swimmers have experienced broken bones on this river don’t be next!

Exit the takeout parking area and make a right. This is a long drive make no turns. Finally after climbing up quite a bit you will come into “town” (a few houses clustered together). Make the first right here. Follow this down to an old factory building and then along the front of the building. Finally you are forced over the dam bridge. This is the unloading area. Take note you cannot park within about 50’ of the corner. The cops will be there shortly. There is a set of steps on your right as you come over the bridge that leads to the water. Once you have unloaded you can run your shuttle or if you wish to park here head “upstream” on this road, around the blind corner is a field you can safely park in.

PLEASE NOTE: I have seen 4 vehicles broken into at the put-in/take-outs for both rivers in the last few years. Park with this in mind, do not leave any valuables in your car, particularly in plain sight. Park your car as close to the paved road as possible not way back in the woods. Do not leave a boat on your roof that is not locked!

Some places to stay:

Camping:

Mohawk State Forest, Route 2 West, Charlemont, Ma 413 339 5504

(Reservations 877 422 6762). Must reserve 2 days in advance)

Windsor State Forest, Windsor, Ma (13 miles from Charlemont)

(Reservations 877 422 6762). Must reserve 2 days in advance)

Peppermint Park Camping Resort, 169 Grant St, Plainfield, Ma

413 634 5385 13.5 miles from the center of Charlemont)

Inns:

Charlemont Inn, Route 2, Charlemont, Ma 413 339 5796

Motels:

Giovanni’s Red Rose Inn, Route 2, Charlemont, Ma 413 625 2666

The Oxbow Motel, Route 2, Charlemont, Ma 413 625 6011

Super 8 Motel, Lee, Ma (45 min from Charlemont) 800 800 8000

Paddle safe and have fun