oxbow national wildlife refuge

Easy to find, easy to park at this national wildlife refuge. The shaded, lovely river is delightful for canoeing and kayaking, with hiking trails well marked along the river as well. When there on Mothers Day we saw a herd of deer prancing near the river's edge.

Expect to see wildlife. Great blue herons, ospreys, beaver, and kingfishers are common. I have also seen huge snapping turtles, barred and great horned owl, muskrat, raccoon and even a bobcat. There are some resident swans near the route 2 highway. Put in easily at Still River in Harvard and take out at the portage on the Ayer- Shirley road near the Sherman gate of Devens. Takes about 2-3 hours of slow paddling. Fishing isn't great though.