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.

To see some Padding adventure videos, click here to visit Explore New England.

Kayaking - Androscoggin Valley Chamber - Berlin, NH

Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce

961 Main Street Berlin, NH, 03570 Phone: 603-228-0836

Perfect places to paddle: Androscoggin area offers rivers, wildlife refuges

One of the joys of being outdoors in the Androscoggin Valley, NH is seeing the beauty of Mother Nature from a canoe or kayak. At Great Glen Trails, enjoy a half or full day on the flat water of the beautiful Androscoggin River, keeping your eyes out for moose, eagles, osprey and other animals. Experienced guides will accompany your tour, giving you ample time at the end to explore on your own in a solo or tandem kayak. At ELC Outdoors & White Water Rafting, there is whitewater rafting on all classes of waters. Or, paddle down the Androscoggin in a five-mile stretch formerly a thoroughfare for log drives. You can glide through the Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge in a canoe or explore the 72 miles of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

Great Glen Trails

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

From relaxing paddles to white-water challenges, this outdoor center has a kayak adventure for everyone

Whether you want a relaxing paddle along a quiet waterway at sunset or the challenge of conquering white water, the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center has a kayak adventure for you. Guided wildlife tours, half- and full-day, take you on the flat water of the Androscoggin River, keeping an eye out for moose, eagles and osprey. (The full-day trip also includes some swimming.) Whitewater kayak clinics are for beginners to advanced levels, teaching you how to navigate through different classes of white water. Sunset kayak tours are the perfect time to see wildlife along a pristine stretch of the Androscoggin. Top-notch guides offer the best instruction, and information on tours, and equipment (everything is provided, and both solo and tandem kayaks are available) is first-class.

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.

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.

Purity Spring Resort

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

Glide across a pristine lake in a kayak, canoe or complimentary paddle board

Nestled between New Hampshire’s White Mountains and its Lakes Region, the Purity Spring Resort offers guests a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities. One of the most popular is paddling. Start your active day at the resort by gliding across a crystal-clear lake on a complimentary stand-up paddle board, or in your own kayak or canoe. You can also book a private charter session so you can go waterskiing, wakeboarding or kneeboarding. The resort’s sandy beach is a great place to relax after your paddling session, or you can take a dip in the indoor pool or hot tub. Of course, a key to a great day on the lake is a good night’s sleep, so your room, condo or cottage has soft bedding and other creature comforts.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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