Reservations | What should you bring? | Group Outings | Safety & Liability | Hours | Rates

Contoocook River

Has it been a long week at the office or on the job? Do you need to get away from the house and yard work? Do you need to spend time together as a family or a couple? If you answered “yes” then the Contoocook River is calling you! 

Come spend the day relaxing on the river either in a rented kayak or canoe. We are equipped with 12’ single recreational kayaks, 14’-6” single light touring kayaks and double kayaks. If you prefer canoeing we have 15’ and 17’ canoes to rent.  

We offer a 9 mile trip that begins in Contoocook Village just down from a historic railroad station and wooden covered railroad bridge. The paddle back to our shop is a down river leisurely paddle on flat water. Paddling time is approx. 3 to 5 hours. During your trip you will paddle through the Mast Yard State Forest and through the City of Concord Lehtinen Park. As you paddle down river you will find places to picnic, swim and great spots to fish for bass, pickerel and trout. The scenery along the river is forested with beaches here and there. You will enjoy the abundance of wildlife such as osprey, otters, ducks, blue herons, king fishers, beaver, deer, bear and many other beautiful creatures that make their home along the Contoocook River.

If a 9 mile paddle is more than what you want to do you can rent a kayak or canoe and put it in the Contoocook River at our beach and paddle up or down the river and back to our beach. An easy 2 mile paddle up river will bring you to Daisy Beach, a great beach for swimming and picnicking.  Daisy Beach is located in Lehtinen Park, a 200 acre City of Concord park. Within the park there are many marked hiking trails. What a day that makes, a nice paddle and a hike in the park.  

What are you waiting for? 

Reservations

Reservations are highly recommended to ensure availability. They are required for large groups. Reservations can be made by calling the shop at (603) 753-9804. If you are on a shuttle you must arrive 45 minutes before departure. RESERVATIONS CAN NOT BE MADE BY EMAIL.

^back to top

What should you bring?

• Water (2 quarts)
• Bathing suit& Towel
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Lunch
• Trash bag
• Extra change of clothes
• River shoes, sandals or an old pair of shoes
• Dry bag to keep items dry
• Camera

  ^back to top

Outings

School Trips & Youth Outings:
Contoocook River Canoe Co. LLC specializes in outfitting larger groups. We offer a 10% discount when (5) or more canoes and kayaks are rented. School trips, summer day camps, youth and church groups, scout troops, chem.-free outings – we welcome. 

Company and Group Outings:
Tired of the traditional indoor family or office functions? Need to boost the moral of your employees? If the answer is yes than drop the functions and have a family, alumni or office outing on the Contoocook River that everyone will rave about. Large groups and company outings are easily accommodated five days a week. We offer a 10% discount when (5) or more canoes and kayaks are rented. Call to inquire about renting space for “after-paddling” barbequing and picnicking.

^back to top

Safety & Liability:

There are inherent risks in a trip on the river. Because of this, Contoocook River Canoe Co. LLC does not assume responsibility for the injury, death or loss of property. You will be required to watch a safety video and sign a liability release form before running the river.  Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent’s or guardian’s signature. Any one under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• No alcohol allowed.
• Life jackets must be worn.

^back to top

Hours of operation: Contoocook River rentals only

Mid May to end of September (call to confirm beginning and end of season).

We close the Contoocook River rentals at the end of September.

PADDLING OPTIONS:

Renting a kayak or canoe and putting it in the river at our beach and paddling back to our beach. No transportation up river:

• Any time the shop is open.
• Thursday evenings from 5:00pm to 7:00pm we offer an evening paddle all kayaks and canoes are $12.00ea for 2 hours.  Put in at our beach only.

Renting a kayak or canoe and being shuttled up river 9 miles and paddling back to our shop. (If you own a kayak or canoe we will shuttle it up river for a fee)

Shuttle Times:  (General Public) For the Contoocook River Only

Starting September: The shuttles on the Contoocook River are weekends only.

If you are a school, church, company, camp, or large family group we are able to schedule shuttle times that work with your schedule.

^back to top

Rates:

Rental with shuttle:

Rental includes shuttle up river, pfd and paddle. (Shuttling you and your rented kayak or canoe 9 miles up river and paddling back to our shop)

Renting from our beach:

Renting a kayak or canoe and putting in the Contoocook River at our beach (shop) and paddling back to our beach (shop). (No shuttle) Rental includes pfd and paddle.