Contoocook River Canoe Company

The Contoocook gets a thumbs up

Contoocook River Canoe Company

9 Horse Hill Rd
Concord NH 03303

Admission Cost: $10 to $40 depending on services
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - shuttle departures are 9:00, 10:30 and 11:30 AM

Time: 4 to 5 hours
Trev's Rating: 4 Stars

Description: The Contoocook River Canoe Company offers the complete solution to your paddling needs. Rent a kayak, canoe or paddle board and take their shuttle to a drop off location on the Merrimack River or 9 miles upstream along the Contoocook River and paddle back to the facility. If you have your own boat, for a minor fee you are welcome to use their boat ramp or shuttle service.  They provide life vests, paddles and padded seats for your paddling convenience and comfort.

They ask that you arrive 45 minutes early to complete the rental agreement and watch a quick overview and safety presentation.

I've used their professional service on several occasions.  The first was to shuttle my single person kayak to the Contoocook Village boat ramp and a second was a 3 person canoe rental and shuttle to the same launching point.

Toad Hall

The trip begins at the Contoocook Village boat ramp where the courteous crew will unload your boat and assist in getting it to the river edge.  The water current and speed is great for a novice paddler and considered flat water with zero rapids or locations where you may encounter safety concerns.  The 9 mile journey will take anywhere from 3-5 hours depending on your pace and number of limited stops you make.  This should be plenty of time for you to return by their 5:00 PM closing. The embark location is also a farmers market where you can pick up some local goodies such as honey, pies and cookies for the trip.  The river is primarily forested on both sides with an occasional house encounter but for most of the paddle will be quiet where you can be one with nature.  At the one mile mark the Warner River enters from the left.  During the summer months this may be just a trickle and inaccessible to explore upstream.  The river doesn't contain a lot of distractions and I used the time as an educational experience for my younger companions identifying birds, spotting turtles, looking for wildlife activity and naming the tree types along the river banks.  After 2.5 miles you'll pass under Penacook Road and an interesting boat facility named Toad Hall.  We didn't enter.


The next milestone is approximately 4 miles downstream and the junction with the Blackwater River.  The Blackwater River should be wide enough to paddle upstream and explore.  At 5 miles you'll pass a second island and enter Mast state forest.  There isn't much transitional change identifying the entrance.  As you pass under a set of power lines there is a small pull off on the steep embankment with room for 1-2 boats and a leaning tree containing a rope swing.  Other than Daisy Beach at the 7 mile mark, this is the best spot to make a pit stop.  Hero's Recreational Crossing Bridge marks the 6 mile mark then Broad Cove and Daisy Beach.

Daisy Beach has parking available for about 20 vessels and I'd consider it the only suitable place to stop along the journey. It contains two picnic tables and a outhouse (with no TP) and makes a great spot for a late lunch.  There is a rope swing however due to it's height I wouldn't recommend it for anyone other than a indestructible teenager.

Parking at Daisy Beach

Daisy Beach approach

The Contoocook River Canoe Co is another 2 miles downstream.

Overall the value for the experience is definitely worth the price.  I was a bit disappointed with the lack of locations available to pull over, stop and relax as we traveled down stream. The overgrowth and steep river banks made it nearly impossible to stop if we desired.

Things to bring:

Sunscreen
Bug spray
Cooler with lunch and water
swimsuit and towel