Capon Brook Paddlers Campsite at Johnson Farm Wildlife Management Area
Canaan or Lemington, Vermont
Connecticut River
- Public access: Yes
- Activities: camping, fishing, paddling
- Caretaker: Johnson Wildlife Management Area
Capon Brook Paddlers Campsite at Johnson Farm Wildlife Management Area
The Johnson Family farmed this land more than 150 years, mostly as a dairy farm. Though it’s no longer home to cows dotting the pastureland, the Johnson Family continues to hay the fields. Vermont River Conservancy worked with the family to meet their goals, and today a conservation easement protects the land and soil as farmland, allows trees and shrubs to grow-up along the riverbank, and two islands with rare silver maple-ostrich fern forest will never be developed. The easement also ensures that people will always have the chance to visit these islands.
Paddlers can stop by the second island, then walk a short trail along the south edge of the island to get to the campsite. There’s a picnic table, box privy, and space for about six tents. The site is part of the Connecticut River Paddlers’ Trail, giving people the chance enjoy full days on the largest waterway in the northeast.
Conservation Details
- River: Connecticut River
- Acreage: 317.00
- River frontage (ft): 2,632
Funding Partners
This project made possible thanks to the support and partnership of:
- Vermont Fish and Wildlife
- Vermont Land Trust
- Connecticut River Paddlers' Trail
- Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm and Ranch Protection Program
- State of New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program
- New Hampshire State Conservation Grant Program
- Tillotson Foundation
- TransCanada
- Contributions from multiple generous donors
Directions
Located at Connecticut River river mile 367.50 at the mouth of Capon Brook on the Johnson Farm Wildlife Management Area. Access via stairs installed on Capon Brook just upstream of the confluence. Access a cleared tenting area and a box privy by walking along trail south of picnic table and landing. Room for ~6 tents.
