Bordered by agricultural fields, the wide and gentle Connecticut River offers a leisurely float along its sandy turns with plenty of places to stop for a picnic and a swim. Several short Class I–II rapids at the start lead to a slow, placid river.

Trip Reports

• Families spend Memorial Day weekend paddling the Connecticut River

Current river conditions

• USGS water gauge at North Stratford, New Hampshire

Meander your way through lush riparian forest as you paddle approximately 10 miles on the Upper Ammonoosuc River. This is the perfect stretch to go on your first paddle trip overnight or to test out gear before heading out on a longer expedition. The river is typically slow moving until you get closer to the town of Stark, NH. Between the take-out in Stark and the white covered bridge is a fun stretch of class II water when the river is up. You can scout most of the stretch from the Route 110 roadside. To accomplish this trip we recommend putting in at Gord's Corner Store in Milan, NH. Gord rents canoes and paddle gear. He can also shuttle you from the take-out back to your car and provide a safe location for you to park overnight. Cordwell Campsite is only 2 miles from the Gord's Corner Store access so plan accordingly. The next day you will have an 8 mile paddle to the take-out where the NFCT Stewardship Crew recently installed a very user-friendly river access ramp.

Just beyond the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain lies a magnificent valley to be discovered. Historic Flagstaff Lake, at nearly 30 miles long, wraps neatly around the base of the striking Bigelow Mountain Range. Paddling includes shallow seasonal water, marshes and flat water, and amazing views of the mountains. All seven of the Bigelow summits are part of a 36,000-acre public reserve, and two of them are on the list of 4,000-footers in Maine, making them sought after by “peak-baggers.” The town of Eustis and village of Stratton offer a variety of lodging options and some great dining choices - hearty home-cooked meals, fresh sandwiches, and café lunches. Local stores stock essential provisions from fine wine to peanut butter. One of the most unique stories in Maine history, the town of Flagstaff was established in 1775 by Benedict Arnold's forces on their way to Quebec…and 175 years later it was flooded to make way for hydroelectricity production. Check out the Valley Below map showing locations of underwater village landmarks. Learn this fascinating history on a unique pontoon boat tour with Flagstaff Scenic Boat Tours. Stock up ahead of time with sandwiches, produce, beverage and snacks at Fotter’s Market in Stratton. Or choose a boat tour option with a lunch stop at the lovely, remote Flagstaff Hut. In the afternoon, visit the Dead River Area Historical Society and see displays including memorabilia of the very towns you floated over this morning. Paddlers looking to explore the lake can do so with a daytrip or overnight camping trip. There are many sites available on the lake. The trip length is listed below at 5 miles, but since this is a lake trip it can be just about any distance you want.    

In Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom lies the village - and the lake - of Island Pond. Island Pond also serves as the headwaters for the Clyde River, which flows 40 miles northwest to Lake Memphremagog. The area is rich in wildlife and is known for its abundant and diverse fisheries hosting trout, salmon, bass, and many other species. Island Pond and environs is a great destination for fisherman and paddlers in search of off-the-beaten-path lakes and running streams. Put in in the town of Island Pond and take out at either Five Mile Square Road or Route 105 at Ten Mile Square Road access points.

This trip combines lake and river paddling in the heart of the New York State's Adirondack Park. The trip starts at the state boat launch near the hamlet of Long Lake. From there, paddlers head north toward the Raquette River. Most paddlers choose to spend the first night on the lake, heading into the wild Raquette River on the second day. Long Lake can be choppy, especially at its northern end near the river. The Raquette River is a windy, slow-moving river. The biggest challenge on the river is navigating the 1.3-mile portage, which includes some hilly terrain. There are numerous campsites available on the lake and  Raquette River, including at Raquette Falls, where there is a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's interior caretaker's cabin.

The Missisaquoi National Wildlife Refuge is just a 45-minute drive from Burlington, Vermont, and it provides a great opportunity for a half-day or full day paddling trip. Known as the “Bird Foot Delta,” the Missisquoi River’s mouth is marked by quiet waters and extensive wetlands. The refuge provides excellent habitat for migratory songbirds, resident mammals and other wildlife, and as such offers some of the finest wildlife viewing in the state. Refuge lands also protect the Shad Island Great Blue Heron rookery, the largest colony in Vermont.