The NFCT coordinates with local paddlers, guides and outfitters to organize paddle meetups on and near the canoe trail, AND we promote similar events hosted by our partners across the Northern Forest region. Please note: In most cases, the NFCT does not provide boats or equipment for meetups. If we are able to provide boats, it will be noted in the trip description. If it’s not mentioned, please assume you must bring your own. If you’re interested in renting or borrowing a boat, please contact a local outfitter.
We are currently working on our lineup of community paddles for 2026. If you’d like to organize one in your community, please get in touch: .
2026
Tuesday, August 11: Paddle-Pedal on Little Clear Pond & ADK Rail Trail (Adirondacks)
Join the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and Adirondack Rail Trail Association for a paddle-pedal tour in Lake Clear on Tuesday, August 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This tour will include a leisurely paddle around Little Clear Pond in the St. Regis Canoe Area and an 8-mile round-trip bike ride on the Adirondack Rail Trail. The paddle will provide the opportunity to see wildlife while the ride will include views of several ponds. Bring a lunch. Registration required. Meet at 9 a.m. in the Little Clear Pond boat launch parking lot off Fish Hatchery Road in Lake Clear. The rain date will be August 12. For more information, email mike@
Thursday, August 13: Loon Paddle on Follensby-Clear Pond (Adirondacks)
Join the Adirondack Center for Loon Con
Past trips
2026
May 9: Birding Paddle on the Missisquoi River (Vermont)
The Friends of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail are partnering to offer an afternoon of paddling, birdwatching, and learning on the Missisquoi River in Vermont. Held in conjunction with the Refuge’s Migratory Bird Weekend, this easygoing 3-hour trip will feature short stops along the way to learn about river ecology, migratory birds, and wildlife habitat. This event is appropriate for paddlers and birders of all skill levels. Meet at 2 p.m. at the Mac’s Bend parking area (go through the gate at Louie’s Landing and drive about 1 mile north along the river). We will cancel for inclement weather. This trip is part of our 2026 Rivers of Connection community paddling series. Registration is required. Register here
May 16: Lamoille River Paddle (Vermont)
Join NFCT and Lamoille River Paddlers Trail for a relaxed half-day paddle on the scenic Lamoille River in Vermont, blending time on the water with learning about local ecology, wildlife, and river stewardship. We’ll meet at Cady’s Falls at 10 a.m. and paddle about six miles to Waterman Brook, with a few short stops along the way. Open to all experience levels, this trip is a great way to connect with your river and community. Bring your own gear, or let us know if you need equipment. This trip is part of the 2026 Rivers of Connection paddling series and is sponsored by NFCT, LRPT, and Umiak Outfitters. Register here
May 23: Celebrating fish migrations on the Clyde River (Vermont)
Love paddling and wild fish? Come celebrate World Fish Migration Day with Vermont River Conservancy (VRC), Northwoods Stewardship School, and the NFCT on a 3-hour community paddle along the Clyde River in East Charleston, Vt. We will paddle a leisurely, meandering section of the river observing fish & other wildlife while also discussing how we can protect and conserve wild fish and their habitats. For more information and registration, follow the link HERE to VRC’s event page.
June 6: Axton to Raquette Falls (Adirondacks)
Join Raquette River Outfitters and the NFCT for an out-and-back trip from Axton Landing to Raquette Falls on the Raquette River. We’ll meet at the Axton Landing access at 9:30 am and hit the water at 10 am. This trip is suitable for all skill levels, but please note that the first half is an upstream paddle. We’ll hike to the falls for lunch before cruising downstream back to Axton Landing. To help us plan accordingly, we ask that you pre-register. There is no cost to attend. In the event of lightning or other hazardous weather, we will cancel and do our best to let everyone know as soon as possible.
June 10: Lake Kushaqua + Fireside Hangout (Adirondacks)
Join Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters, The Station, and the NFCT for a weeknight paddle on Lake Kushaqua in Onchiota, N.Y., with drinks and snacks around the fire at The Station to follow! We’ll meet at The Station, 1 Kushaqua-Mud Pond Rd, Onchiota, at 5 pm, caravan to Kushaqua and take a leisurely paddle around this beautiful lake for 1-2 hours. After the paddle, folks are invited to join us at The Station for hot dogs, drinks and socializing. This is a free event, open to all ages and skill levels. We ask that you sign up in advance so that we can contact paddlers in the event of inclement weather.
Saturday, June 13: Tour De Lamoille River (Vermont)
Join the Lamoille River Paddlers Trail and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail for the Lamoille River Paddle-Pedal, a fun, multi-sport community event on Saturday, June 13. We’ll meet around 10 a.m. at Moog’s Joint (now closed) at 1015 VT-15 in Johnson, Vermont. Our ride will start at about 11 a.m. Boats will be staged in advance at the put-in on East River Road, south of Johnson Village and east of Manchester’s Mill. Participants will bike about 2.75 miles from the start point before transitioning into canoes and kayaks for a 2.6-mile paddle down the Lamoille River. After the trip, we’ll gather for a casual grill lunch and community hangout at the take-out; a basic lunch will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring additional food and drinks. The NFCT/LRPT will be on hand to help monitor and keep an eye on stashed bikes and boats throughout the event. Free. For more info, contact .
June 20: Sunset on Rangeley Lake (Maine)
Join the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and its local partners for a sunset paddle on Rangeley Lake during the Rangeley Rendezvous during the last day of spring June 20. Meet at about 8 p.m. at Rangeley Town Cove Park. We’ll then head out on to the water to watch the light fade on one of the longest days of the year. This is a free activity, open to all ages and skill levels. We ask that you sign up in advance.
June 21: Summer solstice sunrise on Rangeley Lake (Maine)
Join the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and its local partners for a sunrise paddle on the first day of summer on Rangeley Lake during the Rangeley Rendezvous. The trip will start at the bridge over Hunter Cove on Mingo Loop Road. We’ll paddle out of the cove into Rangeley Lake taking in the sunrise as we paddle east to the town park. Feel free to bring a thermos of coffee. 5-7 a.m. This is a free activity, open to all ages and skill levels. We ask that you sign up in advance.
July 22: Plant Tour on Brown’s Tract Inlet (Adirondacks)
Join the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program and Northern Forest Canoe Trail for a community paddle on Raquette Lake and Brown’s Tract Inlet on Wednesday, July 22. During this trip, you’ll learn about the natural history of both native and invasive plants. Brown’s Tract Inlet is located at the southwestern part of Raquette Lake. This is a winding stream with lots of plant life and a few beaver dams that you’ll have to navigate. Bring water shoes and expect to get out of the boat a few times. We’ll meet at 9 a.m. at the Raquette Lake boat launch in the hamlet located off Route 2, which is directly across from the Sagamore Road at the intersection of Route 28. The trip concludes at noon. The rain date will be July 23.
August 4: Saranac River Headwaters Naturalist Tour (Floodwood Pond, Adirondacks)
Join the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) and Adirondack Council for a naturalist-led paddling tour in the Saranac Lake Wild Forest on Tuesday, August 4, from 1-5 p.m. On the trip, you’ll learn about the evolving ecosystems of the ponds we’ll travel through and environmental issues facing waters in the Saranac River Watershed and Adirondack region. You’ll come away from this trip with a better appreciation of the landscape and how everyone plays a role in stewardship. This tour will be led by the Council’s Clean Water Community Advocate Sunita Halasz, NFCT’s Communications Manager Mike Lynch and independent ecologist Dan Spada. We’ll start at Floodwood Pond, then visit Little Square Pond, Copperas Pond, and the northern section of Fish Creek. The boat access site for this trip is located near the Floodwood Outpost, about four miles down Floodwood Road from Route 30. Online registration is required for this free event. A limited number of boats are available upon request. The rain date will be Wednesday, August 5, from 8:30-12:30 a.m. For more info, contact Mike Lynch at . This paddle is part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s Rivers of Connection series sponsored by the Lake Champlain Basin Program.
2025
July 26: Boats & BBQ with Brault’s w/UMATR
Join our friends from the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Wild & Scenic River Committee for a new event this year with a BBQ at Brault’s Meat Market and Slaughterhouse in Troy! We will start by having an optional scenic paddle starting on Lane Rd in Westfield, headed down the Missisquoi to end with a BBQ of hamburgers and hot dogs at Brault’s. Don’t want to join us for the paddle, but still interested in coming for a BBQ? Come on down to Brault’s between 12-3 pm for a burger or dog! We hope to see you there!
Click here to register!
Aug. 1: Sunset Paddle w/Rangeley Adventure Co
Join us on Friday, Aug. 1, for a sunset paddle on Rangeley Lake, hosted by the NFCT and Rangeley Adventure Company, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The paddle will begin and end at the Rangeley Town Park public boat launch and cover a few miles of the Rangeley Lake section of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail. This paddle is accessible to all ability levels and there is no cost to attend. If you need gear, rentals are available from Rangeley Adventure Co; call 207-864-2771 to learn more.
Aug. 3: Paddle & Picnic w/UMATR
Join our friends from the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Wild & Scenic River Committee to experience a section of the Missisquoi with the benefit of our knowledge UMATR Committee members and a provided picnic lunch! This free and family-friendly event is a great way to experience a new stretch of the river or enjoy good company while you explore it again. You are encouraged to bring your own watercraft, but we do have canoe’s available for those who are in need! We have a limited number of available boats, so first come first serve.
Click here to register!
Aug. 5: Scenic Missisquoi Paddle w/UMATR, MRBA & VLT
Join our friends from the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Wild & Scenic River Committee, the Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA) and the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) for a scenic four mile paddle of the Upper Missisquoi as we weave between farmland and natural spaces. We will be beginning our paddle from the Lane Rd access point in Westfield downstream to above the Chase Dam on River Rd guided by UMATR, MRBA, and VLT staff. We will also begin the paddle with an opening discussion with a local Vermont farmer about the relationship with farming and our natural spaces. This section is first time paddler friendly and UMATR has boats available if needed!
Click here to register!
Sept. 13: Franklin Falls Pond to Union Dam
Join Guide ADK and the NFCT on Saturday, Sept. 13, for a trek from Franklin Falls Pond to the Union Falls Dam! We will meet at 10:30 am at the public access at Franklin Falls Pond on River Road outside Bloomingdale, then shuttle vehicles to the takeout at Union Falls. Once shuttling is complete, we’ll hit the water. This 8.6-mile trip crosses Franklin Falls Pond, with a short, relatively flat portage around Franklin Falls, and then continues across Union Falls Pond to the takeout at the dam, approximately three hours. Bring snacks or lunch as we will take a break at the portage to fuel up. This paddle is suitable for most skill levels, but please take the mileage into consideration. This is a free event, though advance registration through the NFCT is required so we can contact folks in the event of inclement weather!
