For those who paddle, here is a map of segment lengths and launch sites for the Concord and Sudbury River in Sudbury, Wayland, Lincoln, Concord, Bedford, Carlisle, and Billerica.

The Sudbury River runs roughly south to north. When the Assabet River joins it in Concord, the combination is called the Concord River. It continues from there into the Merrimac River in Lowell, MA. Much of the river that you see mapped here runs through the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. This allows for miles of undeveloped river habitat.

Tourists and groups often rent canoes and kayaks from the South Bridge Boat House in Concord and do the short paddle downstream to the North Bridge Park for a picnic or a look around. It is a lovely area, fairly heavily paddled, especially on weekends. For more tranquility (and lots of bird watching), try the section of the river between the North Bridge Park and the Bedford boat launch.

The mapped sections are all flatwater. In many places, there is a gentle current, so allow a little more time to go upstream (south). Further downstream (in Billerica, north of rt. 129) there is a strong current that turns to proper white water rapids in the spring. There is a dam just downstream from the rapids.