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In Massachusetts, the North Shore's Great Marsh is the largest continuous stretch of Salt Marsh in New England, 25,000 acres, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. 
This unique complex of natural systems adds ecological, economic, recreational, and cultural value to our daily lives both on the coast and inland where land is connected by river and stream networks. The network of waterways, beaches, parks, and wildlife refuges in the Great Marsh make it an outstanding destination to enjoy boating, fishing, bird watching, hiking, and beach activities. From the earliest use of the area by Native Americans, the Great Marsh has been an important part of the development of the North Shore. Salt marsh haying, farming, fishing, shipbuilding, and the arts continue to link our past to the present.
The Merrimack, Powow, Parker, Ipswich and Essex rivers are the five major rivers that drain into the Great Marsh. The mouth of the Merrimack River is north of Plum Island, the Parker River is along the southern edge of the town of Newbury, and the Ipswich River drains to the southern tip of Plum Island. The mouths of these three rivers help comprise Plum Island Sound and the Plum Island River, the brackish waters and marsh contained behind Plum Island. The Essex River contains the marsh areas behind Crane Beach and into West Gloucester. The marshlands of the Annisquam River and rocky shores of Gloucester and Rockport offer fantastic boating opportunities as well.
There are hundreds of other creeks and rivers that traverse the Great Marsh that are great for exploring the wonders of the marsh. This guide lists some of the more prominent ones. As you drive to and from the various put-in/take-out sites to enjoy the marsh by boat, you will pass by many of the unique cultural, historic, and recreational resources of the upper North Shore. The Kayaker's Guide to the Great Marsh delineates cartop boat put-in/take-out locations, suggested water trails, and a selection of historic, cultural and recreational prospects.
Three different map "icons" indicate whether the site is an Access Point, a Water Trail, or a Cultural/Historical Site. Some of the information contained in the web-guide includes: photographs of access sites, parking areas, water trails, scenic vistas, and other important features: road maps with a "red dot" indicating the approximate put-in location; general information on the boating hazards that may be encountered at the access point or on a water trail; vehicle parking availability; site access conditions; best access sites for individual water trails; web links; and more.
View the Kayakers Guide to the Great Marsh
Safety Tips
Contributors:
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| Essex River Basin Adventures | Plum Island Kayak, Inc | North Shore Kayak Outdoor Center | Discovery Adventures | Powow River Watershed Association |
The Kayaker's Guide to the Great Marsh was created with the help of "Ozzie" Osborn of Essex River Basin Adventures, John Halloran of Adventure Learning, Carl Spanger of Ipswich Bay Ocean Kayak, the Town of Rockport Harbormasters Office, Gale Lyman of the Powow River Watershed Association, Kacy Lefferty of Discovery Adventures as well as other interested and knowledgeable local kayakers.
Photo credits to Stephan Gersh and Peter Phippen
This project was funded in part by The Massachusetts Highway Department, the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, the Massachusetts Bays Program, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Essex National Heritage Commission.
The Great Marsh is a vital component of the Essex National Heritage Area, a 500 square-mile region designated by the U.S. Congress in 1996 to recognize the national significance of its historic, cultural, and natural resources.
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Produced by the Eight Towns and the Bay Committee
