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

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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, canoe or stand up paddle board. 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. If stand up paddling boarding is what you are looing for we have 10' to 12' paddle boards 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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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:

OPTION #1

Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle from our beach and 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.

OPTION #2

Rent a kayak or canoe and be shuttled up river 9 miles and paddle back to our shop. (If you own your own kayak or canoe we can shuttle it up river for a fee) (Reservations required)

Shuttle Times:  (General Public) For the Contoocook River Only (Must arrive at the shop 45 minutes prior to departure)

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.

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Rates

Rental with shuttle option #2: (Reservations required)

Rental a kayak or canoe and be shuttled up river. Rental includes shuttle, kayak or canoe, life jacket and paddle. (Shuttling you and your rented kayak or canoe 9 miles up river and paddle back to our shop)

Renting from our beach option #1:

Rent a kayak or canoe and put it in the Contoocook River at our beach (shop) and paddle back to our beach (shop). (No shuttle) Rental includes boat, life jacket and paddle.

STAND UP PADDLE BOARD RENTALS ON THE CONTOOCOOK RIVER

Option #1

Monday through Sunday

Rent a Stand Up Paddle Board from our beach and paddle from our beach and back.

Rate: $20.00 for a half day rental $30.00 for a full day rental

Option #2

Monday through Sunday

Rent a Stand Up Paddle Board and be shuttled 2 miles up river and paddle back to our shop.

Shuttle departs at 12:30pm (must be back by 5:00pm) (Must check in 45 minutes before departure)

Reservations recommended

The paddle back to the shop without stopping takes approx. 2 hours

Rate: $25.00 (includes transportation up river, paddle board, paddle and life jacket)