New Hampshire | Upper Valley / Connecticut River

Connecticut RiverBedell Bridge State Park public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Wilson Landing public boat ramp (water-entry edge)

A longer staged Connecticut River itinerary joining Bedell Bridge, Orford and Wilson public access in the Upper Valley.

Access and safety sources last checked September 13, 2026.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 29 river miles
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAllow a full day with wind
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Connecticut River near Colebrook, New Hampshire.
River contextConnecticut River in northern New Hampshire; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Mike Cline via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
DifficultyeasyThe Paddlers Trail describes these access-bounded reaches as broad, quiet-water paddling with wind exposure and occasional dam or bridge-current hazards. This card remains planning-only until a route-specific flow band is established.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm New Hampshire boating rules, town or state access rules and any hydroelectric or park notices before departure.
CampingOptions nearbyThe Paddlers Trail includes primitive camps and established campgrounds along the Connecticut River. Use only a current designated site or nearby campground; do not camp on an unapproved shoreline.
SeasonMay-OctLate spring through fall is the practical paddling season; cold water, wind, thunderstorms and changing hydro operations require a launch-day check.

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Access and shuttle

A longer staged Connecticut River itinerary joining Bedell Bridge, Orford and Wilson public access in the Upper Valley.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Bedell Bridge State Park public boat ramp (water-entry edge)

Orford is the documented intermediate bailout and campground-adjacent access. Treat this as a long day itinerary, confirm daylight and wind margin, and do not assume informal shoreline camping.

Finish

Take-out

Wilson Landing public boat ramp (water-entry edge)

The river forms the New Hampshire/Vermont boundary in this corridor; stay in the channel except for emergencies and respect private shoreline.

Road shuttle

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Orford is the documented intermediate bailout and campground-adjacent access. Treat this as a long day itinerary, confirm daylight and wind margin, and do not assume informal shoreline camping.
  • The river forms the New Hampshire/Vermont boundary in this corridor; stay in the channel except for emergencies and respect private shoreline.
  • Verify current ramp, parking, overnight and road conditions before staging.

Watch for

  • Direct USGS 01144500 discharge and wind
  • Cold water, strainers, bridges and fast rises
  • Dams, private banks and limited alternate exits

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

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Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Route and distance29 miles

    Distance between the named access points in the linked manager guide.

    Source

  • Launch coordinate provenanceMapped launch and landing

    Coordinates are taken from the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail Google Maps links for the named public ramps.

    Source

  • Conditions posturePlanning only

    Planning only: Bedell Bridge State Park to Wilson Landing. The Connecticut River Paddlers Trail documents the public ramps, river-mile sequence and camping network, but this pass does not transfer a numeric recreational cutoff to USGS 01144500.

    Source

  • Access and safety review2026-09-13

    Guide and current manager pages checked. Verify notices again before travel; a past review is not a statement of current paddling suitability.

  • Campingnearby_basecamp

    The Paddlers Trail includes primitive camps and established campgrounds along the Connecticut River. Use only a current designated site or nearby campground; do not camp on an unapproved shoreline.

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Connecticut River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Bedell Bridge State Park public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Wilson Landing public boat ramp (water-entry edge) route on the Connecticut River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Bedell Bridge State Park public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Wilson Landing public boat ramp (water-entry edge) route on the Connecticut River start and end?

This route starts at Bedell Bridge State Park public boat ramp (water-entry edge) and ends at Wilson Landing public boat ramp (water-entry edge), about 29 river miles on the water.

Is the Bedell Bridge State Park public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Wilson Landing public boat ramp (water-entry edge) route on the Connecticut River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a easy route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.