Finding refuge on the river: a RiverFest celebration!

 Great Meadows  provides numerous recreation opportunities to thousands of visitors every year. It is composed of two units - one in Sudbury and one in Concord. 85% of the refuge's 3,800 acres is freshwater wetlands stretching along 12-miles of the Concord and Sudbury Rivers. The  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service  protects Great Meadows as nesting, resting, and feeding habitat for wildlife, with special focus on migratory birds.

In April 1999, Congress designated 29-miles of the  Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord  rivers as  Wild & Scenic . The designation recognizes the rivers for their outstanding ecology, history, scenery, recreation values, and place in American literature.

The social and environmental history of the Sudbury River is as varied and rich as the river itself. The timeline below covers key historical moments for the region and the refuge. Information from this section comes from  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ,  Nipmuc Nation , and  Environmental Protection Agency  records.

Now that you've learned about the land, continue scrolling to see how you can paddle the Sudbury River and explore the trails at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge - Sudbury Unit. Both trips begin at the visitor parking lot, shown below.

The canoe and kayak launch at Weir Hill takes you on a 1.5-mile paddle along the Sudbury River. Look for great blue herons, otters, painted turtles, and dragonflies. Click the 'Sudbury River Paddle Trail' tab on the top of the page, or keep scrolling below to begin your journey!

The trails at Weir Hill lead you on a 0.5-mile walk along marshes, uplands, woodlands, river, brook, and pond. Click the 'Red Maple Trail' tab on the top of the page, or keep scrolling below to begin your journey!

This short paddle takes approximately one-hour, and is an out and back trip. Don't forget your life jacket! If you've been paddling elsewhere, please make sure your vessel and gear are clean.  Invasive aquatic species  can hitchhike between waterbodies, and disrupt critical ecosystems.

This short walk takes approximately 30-minutes, and is ADA accessible. Please make sure to stay on the marked trail to avoid disturbing fragile habitat and sensitive wildlife. As you walk, you'll notice a couple crossings, including the Weir Hill Trail that loops through the refuge, and the Round Hill Trail managed by the  Sudbury Valley Trustees . Feel free to explore both!

This virtual river tour is just one of many events and activities offered as part of RiverFest 2021 - happening June 19th & 20th. RiverFest celebrates the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers, and is open to all who want to experience the beautiful rivers.

 Visit the website  to learn about other free events. The offerings are diverse, suitable for young and older people, those who are adventuresome and want to be on the water, as well as those who enjoy history, the arts, or a scenic stroll along the river banks. There are paddles, bird watching walks, wildlife presentations, and art events, as well as opportunities to get out and explore the rivers on your own. Stay close to home, or travel a short distance, and spend the day enjoying all the rivers have to offer!

We hope you enjoyed exploring Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, and we hope you visit us again! You can learn more about the refuge by  visiting our website . Great Meadows is made up of two units - today, you visited the Sudbury Unit. Don't miss the Concord unit, just 9 miles north of here.

Great Meadows is just one of eight refuges that make up the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex. You can find two other publicly accessible refuges in the Boston metro west: Oxbow and Assabet River. Three are located on Cape Cod and the outer islands: Mashpee, Monomoy, and Nantucket. The remaining two refuges, Nomans Land Island and Massassoit, are closed to the general public to protect critical species.  Visit the website  to learn more about all the complex has to offer. See you outside again soon!