New Hampshire is a dream for paddling, canoeing, and kayaking

New Hampshire > State > On the Water > Paddling

With plentiful and beautiful lakes, rivers, and a nice slice of Atlantic shoreline, New Hampshire beckons to people eager to get out on the water with canoes, kayaks, and other paddling crafts. Many state-managed boat ramps or boat ramps at marinas allow plenty of places to get from the land onto the water.

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Purity Spring Resort

1251 Eaton Road (Route 153) East Madison, NH, 03849 Phone: 603-367-8896 Toll-Free: 800-373-3754

Paddle your own canoe in a unmatched natural setting

Propel yourself on scenic Purity Lake in the majestic White Mountains. Family-owned Purity Spring Resort offers guests complimentary kayaks, canoes and rowboats for exploring its scenic natural wonderland of unblemished shorelines, sandy beaches, bogs, heaths and islands. There’s great fishing for pickerel, small mouth bass and panfish, perch and sunfish for the young folk. Move along at your own pace while gazing at one of New Hampshire’s incredible landscapes of forest, mountains and water. Enjoy warm country lodging, meals at the resort's restaurant & pub, an indoor pool, and fitness center. This remarkable setting has made it a popular vacation destination for couples, families and groups as well as for special occasions and gatherings. Come for the paddling and stay for a whole lot more.

Margate Resort on Winnipesaukee

76 Lake Streeet Laconia, NH, 03246 Phone: 603-524-5210 Toll-Free: 800-627-4283

Resort’s private beach and kayak, board rentals means you can be out on the lake paddling in no time

If you’re lucky enough to be staying at a resort on beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee, you have to take advantage of all the paddling-sports opportunities! At the Margate on Winnipesaukee, just steps from the lake’s picturesque Paugus Bay, a 400-foot private sandy beach means you can launch your kayak or stand-up paddle board in comfort and paddle around the bay’s islands. Keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife and, of course, the lush scenery. You can rent one of the resort’s boards or kayaks and be out on the water in no time. Come back to the resort to swim in the indoor or outdoor pool or relax in the sauna. Grab a bite or a brew at the Gazebo Beach Bar.

Great Glen Trails

Route 16 at Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH, 03581 Phone: 603-466-3988

From quiet sunset paddles to rollicking whitewater adventures, something for everyone

From leisurely trips on the Androscoggin River below Gotham to pulse-pounding whitewater adventures on its watershed in Errol, the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center has a kayaking experience for everyone. Trained instructors will treat you to a great day on the water, regardless of your experience. There’s a whitewater kayaking clinic for those who want an introduction to this exciting sport. The center also offers half- and full-day guided wildlife kayaking tours in the Mahoosuc Mountains via canoes and kayaks. Keep an eye out for deer, moose, river otters, blue herons, ducks, owls and bald eagles. The full-day tour includes time for swimming. Or, join the best guides around for a relaxing, and beautiful, sunset kayaking tour.

Paddling on Lake Winnepesaukee near Meredith - Lakes Region NH Tourism Association

Lakes Region Tourism Association

61 Laconia Road Tilton, NH, 03276 Phone: 603-286-8008 Toll-Free: 800-605-2537

Paddling is a breeze, and the scenery spectacular, in this region’s lakes, rivers, ponds

The Lakes Region has 273 lakes and ponds, so you just know the paddling is going to be super. Paddle-boarding, kayaking and canoeing are wonderfully peaceful ways to enjoy the delights of this vast region, whether you want to revel in the bright colors of autumn seek out summer wildlife on the shore and in the air or start your spring by honing your paddling skills. Many inns, hotels and resorts have private access to lakefronts and beaches to make launching a breeze (some have their own picturesque ponds), and several companies offer kayaking and canoeing tours, paddle-board trips on the Saco River and lessons in everything from whitewater kayaking to wake-surfing. Rental options are plentiful along the waterfronts.

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Umbagog Lake State Park

235 East Route 26 Cambridge, NH, 03579 Phone: 603-482-7795

Rated one of the five top locations in New England for kayaking and paddling

The Boston Globe rated Lake Umbagog the fifth-best kayaking locationin New England. Canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are available for rent. See full description of Umbagog State Park.

Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Discovery Center is 89 Depot Road ; many other access points Greenland, NH Phone: 603-868-1095

This giant tidal bay has a Discovery Center for visitors and lots of access points for fishing and boating. Kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, and motor boating is done here. These are tidal waters; look at tide charts before you go. See full description at our New Hampshire science and nature pages.

Ellacoya State Park at Lake Winnipesaukee

266 Scenic Road (Route 11) Gilford, NH, 03246 Phone: 603-293-7821

Lake swimming and fishing; boat ramp; picnicking

The large state parks allows motor boating, paddling, canoeing, and kayaking on Lake Winnipesaukee. There is a boat ramp. See full description of Ellacoya State Park

White Lake State Park

94 State Park Road (Route 16) Tamworth, NH, 03886 Phone: 603-323-7350

Swimming, trout fishing, camping

A variety of non-motorized boats, including canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and rowboats, can be rented at this park on White Lake. See full description of White Lake State Park.

Lake Francis State Park

439 River Road Pittsburg, NH, 03592 Phone: 603-538-6965

Good for fishing, boating, paddling, and camping

Lake Francis State Park lies on the shores of Lake Francis a 2,000 acre lake near the Connecticut Lakes. Popular for fishing and hunting and boating. The lake has a boat launch and canoes are available for rent.
See full description of Lake Francis State Park.

Mount Sunapee State Park

86 Beach Access Road Newbury, NH, 03255 Phone: 603-763-5561

Year-round outdoor fun with lake and camping; near downhill ski resort

Mount Sunapee State Park Beach offers swimming, boating and other water sports. Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats are available for rent. See full description of Mount Sunapee State Park.

Wellington State Park

614 West Shore Road (Off Route 3A) Bristol, NH, 03222 Phone: 603-744-2197

Fresh water swimming, hiking, boat launch, picnicking, beautiful lake and island views

Boating, canoeing, kayaking and paddling are welcome on Newfound Lake at Wellington State Park. A boat launch next to the park is managed by N.H. Fish & Game. Its allows year-round access to Newfound Lake and access to the park.
See full description of Wellington State Park.

Androscoggin Wayside Park

1607 Berlin Road (Route 16) Errol, NH, 03579 Phone: 603-538-6707

Androscoggin Wayside Park is on the Androscoggin River, within Thirteen Mile Woods. It is a favorite location for canoeing. No restrooms are available.

Nansen Wayside Park

Route 16 Milan, NH Phone: 603-823-7722 Ext - 75

Located near the banks of the Androscoggin River, Nansen Wayside Park is a popular place for picnicking, fishing, and boating. The park spans 14 acres and is the site of the 170-foot steel-framed Nansen Ski Jump, seen towering over the area. Nansen Wayside Park is unstaffed but is open to the public year-round at no charge. There is no winter maintenance. A boat launch is available. Information: www.nhstateparks.org

Pawtuckaway State Park

40 Pawtuckaway Road Nottingham, NH, 03290 Phone: 603-895-3031

Lake beach with boat launch, canoe & kayak rentals; campground; hiking trails

Paddling is done at this lakeside park. There is a boat launch. Concession rents out paddleboards, kayaks, canoes. See full description of Pawtucketaway State Park.

Greenfield State Park

973 Forest Road Greenfield, NH, 03047 Phone: 603-547-3497

Lake for water sports, boat rentals, camping, no hookups

The lake on this park is open to boaters. Kayaks and canoes are available for rent. - Trail Flyer & Map (PDF)
Hours: Park is open weekends from late May to late June, and daily from late June to mid-October.

Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee

Great North Woods

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Merrimack Valley

Monadnock

Seacoast

White Mountains