Local Paddling

Explore the Merrimack River and its tributaries

Hop in the water with your family or friends for a do-it-yourself paddling adventure. The “Merrimack Paddle Challenge” is a collection of five destinations in the Merrimack River watershed, specially chosen to maximize fun and learn more about the ecosystem of this watershed that spans from New Hampshire to Massachusetts. This challenge is now FREE and takes place all summer and fall.

We provide digital paddle guides for each excursion, complete with maps, locations of put ins and take outs, important details about the paddle (length, difficulty, time) and information about what you’ll see along the way!  This is a great way to get more familiar with one of the region’s largest and most important watersheds, and learn why land protection along the Merrimack and its tributaries is still so vitally important.

This annual challenge along the Merrimack River and its tributaries runs until the end of September each year.

The paddles (click to open a printable guide):

• Concord River Paddle: Lowell & Billerica, MA

• Cross Border Merrimack Paddle: Nashua, NH to Tyngsborough, MA

• Contoocook River Paddle*: Contoocook & Concord, NH

• Muchyedo Banks Paddle: Penacook, Boscawen & Canterbury, NH

• Silver Maple Floodplain Paddle: Concord, NH

Print these guides at home and take them with you on your paddling adventures. All paddle excursions are designed to be beginner to intermediate flat-water paddles, between 4 and 9 miles in length, and 3-5 hours on the water.

*The Contoocook River Paddle is a one-way paddle using shuttle service available from Contoocook River Canoe Company. Alternatively, there is an out-and-back option for paddlers not wanting to use the shuttle service or if it is unavailable.

PADDLE SAFELY, SHARE YOUR ADVENTURES & LEARN MORE

• Pack your paddling gear and boat, and head out on your own schedule. Be sure to recreate responsibly and read these safety tips.

• Share your adventures. Tag your photos on social media with #MerrimackPaddleChallenge as you explore.

• Learn more: Watch The Merrimack: River at Risk online at your leisure; the film highlights efforts to protect the forests and waterways of the Merrimack River watershed. Find out more about the history of the region from the Indigenous NH Collaborative Collective’s StoryMap (link is external), which includes five points of interest you can visit in the watershed.

Presented by: Five Rivers Conservation Trust, Merrimack River Watershed Council, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust.

Did you know the UMass Lowell (UML) Kayak Center is open to the public as well as the UML university community? They offer rentals, instruction, tours, and fun!

Kayak, Canoe, or SUP rentals are available during open hours by walk-up or reservation. Most weekends you can register for a shuttle service, as well.

Group tours with a guide: Choose from a fun group trip like a Sunset or Full Moon paddle tour, an instructional tour like their Kayak Basics class, or book your own custom group tour. All available with a reservation.