Housatonic Camping/Paddling Weekend – October 9 – 10, 2021  Join us for a weekend of foliage paddling on two flatwater sections of the beautiful Housatonic River in western MA and CT.   The Housatonic River arises in the Berkshire Hills of western MA and flows south for 150 miles along the western border of MA and CT before emptying into Long Island Sound. We will be paddling the flatwater sections from Sheffield, MA to Ashley Falls, MA on Saturday, and Ashley Falls, MA to Falls Village, CT on Sunday.  Saturday, October 9th Housatonic River – Sheffield, MA to Ashley Falls, MA Coordinator: Erik Eckilson eckilson@cox.net 617-794-0378  This 8-mile trip begins at the Covered Bridge in Sheffield, MA and ends at the Route 7A Bridge in Ashley Falls CT.  The river twists and turns through fields and meadows along the foothills of the Berkshires.  Sunday, October 10th Housatonic – Ashley Falls, MA to Falls Village, CT Coordinator: Erik Eckilson eckilson@cox.net 617-794-0378  This 10.5-mile trip begins where the previous trip ends.  We will put in at the Route 7 Bridge in Ashley Falls CT and take out at Falls Village above the dam.  This section also meanders through fields and meadows in the foothills of the Berkshires including Bartholomew’s Cobble – a National Natural Landmark.  There is one dam to portage in Canaan.  You can drive out for one or both trips (about 3-hours each way), or join us camping at Taconic State Park in nearby NY.  Taconic State Park 253 NY-344 Copake Falls, NY 12517  Website https://parks.ny.gov/parks/taconiccopake/details.aspx   Campsite Map https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/TaconicCopakeFallsAreaCampingMapRatesPolicies.pdf  Book site on Reserve America https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/taconic(copakefalls)/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NY&parkId=410 Taconic State Park does allow single night reservations, so you should reserve at least Saturday night. Centrally located restroom and shower facilities are located in all campsite areas.  Taconic State Park is oldest state park in the Taconic Region. There are plenty of activities to enjoy at Taconic State Park in addition to paddling - bike the Harlem Valley Rail Trail or hike to Bash Bish Falls (the highest single drop waterfall in MA) or up Brace Mountain (the highest point in Dutchess County).