Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management Area, Milford

Meet at 9:30 a.m. to launch by 9:50 a.m. Court Street boat launch, 70 Court St., Milford, to take advantage of the 11:22 a.m. high tide. Peaceful moderate-paced paddle through quiet salt marsh. The first loop is 5 miles, including an out-and-back on Beaver Brook. After returning to the launch, there the opportunity to paddle another 3 miles. Expect to see plenty of shore birds.
Paddlers are expected to provide their own equipment. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. Per club policy, a life jacket must be worn for the trip duration. The launch has a gravel ramp about 200 feet long to access the water, so kayak wheels (or a friend with strong arms) are recommended to transport boats. There is no porta-potty at the launch, so using the restroom at McDonald’s on Route 1 at the exit off I-95 is recommended.
Rain cancels. Any weather-related changes will be decided by 7 a.m. the morning of the trip: don’t let advance forecasts scare you away — they are frequently wrong.
Launch site information:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/gis/coastalaccessmaps/CoastalAccessSite515.pdf
Trip overview: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/10005213
Directions: From Rt. 15, take Exit 37 (formerly Exit 54) to I-95 South.
I-95 North and South to Exit 34 (Rt. 1 South). Right on Rt. 1 South (Bridgeport Ave.) for 0.5 miles. Left on Naugatuck Avenue at the light for 0.6 miles. Right on Milford Point Rd. at the light and go 0.8 miles. Right on Court Street (by the sign for Laurel Beach) and go 0.2 miles to the end. You will see a sign for Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife area. Park carefully when you arrive as the parking lot is small and narrow.