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New Hampshire | Merrimack Valley / Contoocook corridor

Contoocook RiverContoocook Riverway Park to Contoocook River Canoe Company

The documented nine-mile Contoocook Riverway Park to Contoocook River Canoe Company paddle, using the outfitter’s paid shuttle and customer take-out by prior arrangement.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 9 river miles
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAllow 4–6 hours with current
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Contoocook River flows through Antrim, New Hampshire.
River contextContoocook River at Antrim; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

Why this call
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 9 river milesContoocook Riverway Park to Contoocook River Canoe Company
DifficultyeasyThe selected public-access chain is generally calm flatwater to Class II current. The Henniker reach has a broken-dam hazard and stronger current at high stage; stop and portage at every marked obstruction.
ShuttleCar shuttleThe take-out is a private outfitter beach. Contact Contoocook River Canoe Company to confirm that your launch, personal boat and pickup or staging plan are covered. Its current policy prohibits self-shuttling personal boats and limits parking to renting or shuttle customers; the Forest Society guide documents its paid shuttle for the nine-mile Riverway Park trip.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm municipal and federal day-use rules, and confirm operator permission, shuttle coverage and parking at the Canoe Company take-out before unloading.
CampingDay tripNo overnight camping is included; use established campgrounds and never camp on private banks.
SeasonApr-OctThe Henniker stage responds quickly to rainfall and reservoir operations. Check direct USGS stage, trend, weather, dam notices and access conditions immediately before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

The documented nine-mile Contoocook Riverway Park to Contoocook River Canoe Company paddle, using the outfitter’s paid shuttle and customer take-out by prior arrangement.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Contoocook Riverway Park
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use documented access sites and existing paths; follow public-site parking rules and any private or operator-controlled access terms.

Finish

Take-out

Contoocook River Canoe Company
Open mapDirections to take-out

The Canoe Company landing and parking are not unrestricted public access; confirm permission, shuttle coverage, hours and parking directly with the operator before departure.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use documented access sites and existing paths; follow public-site parking rules and any private or operator-controlled access terms.
  • The Canoe Company landing and parking are not unrestricted public access; confirm permission, shuttle coverage, hours and parking directly with the operator before departure.
  • Portage every dam or obstruction; never approach a hydraulic structure.
  • Recheck seasonal parking, water levels and weather before departure.

Watch for

  • Rain-driven stage changes
  • Shallow bends and strainers
  • Take-out hours and parking

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Contoocook River flows through Antrim, New Hampshire.
Contoocook River at Antrim; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor
Wikimedia Commons license on linked file page

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteContoocook River near Henniker, NH
Gauge heightChecking
DischargeChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range5.00 ft to 8.50 ft
Low threshold4.75 ft
High threshold9.00 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreUSACE Contoocook River Henniker status
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

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

  • Conditional outfitter take-outContoocook Riverway Park to Contoocook River Canoe Company

    The Forest Society guide publishes this take-out coordinate and describes a paid, one-way shuttle itinerary. The company currently describes a private river beach and limits parking to renting or shuttle customers; confirm access and shuttle coverage before departure.

    Source

  • Scoring band5–8.5 ft planning band; 4.75 ft low cue and 9 ft warning

    American Whitewater and USACE publish reach-specific Henniker stage cues; verify live telemetry and trend before travel.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 01085000 near Henniker

    Direct Contoocook stage telemetry for the selected corridor.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in New Hampshire

All 46 routes
New Hampshire route guideBrowse every tracked New Hampshire route.Merrimack Valley / Contoocook corridorJump to routes in this region.

More on Contoocook River

All 6
Contoocook River Federal Corps Access to Contoocook River Canoe CompanyMerrimack Valley / Contoocook corridorEasy · About 15.5 river milesContoocook River Federal Corps Access to Contoocook Riverway ParkMerrimack Valley / Contoocook corridorEasy · About 6.5 river milesContoocook River Federal Corps Access to River Road Boat LaunchMerrimack Valley / Contoocook corridorEasy · About 4 river milesRiver Road Boat Launch to Contoocook River Canoe CompanyMerrimack Valley / Contoocook corridorEasy · About 14.5 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Merrimack RiverSewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Everett Arena public boat ramp (water-entry edge) · about 9 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 2.5 river milesMerrimack RiverSewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Ferry Street / Pelissier Launch (Allenstown residents) · about 9 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 13.5 river milesMerrimack RiverSewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Bow / PSNH River Road public boat ramp (water-entry edge) · about 9 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 14.5 river milesMerrimack RiverSewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Lambert Park public boat ramp, Hooksett (water-entry edge) · about 9 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 7.8 river miles

Quick answers

Contoocook River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Contoocook Riverway Park to Contoocook River Canoe Company route on the Contoocook River?

Paddle Today watches Contoocook River near Henniker, NH and treats 5.00 ft to 8.50 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Contoocook Riverway Park to Contoocook River Canoe Company route on the Contoocook River start and end?

This route starts at Contoocook Riverway Park and ends at Contoocook River Canoe Company, about 9 river miles on the water.

Is the Contoocook Riverway Park to Contoocook River Canoe Company route on the Contoocook River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

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