River Tubing/White Water Rafting
 

Does anyone have any recommendations in the area for a low level white water rafting trip and a river that offers tubing rentals or programs? Thank you.

You can rent tubes at several spots on the Pemigewasset - one being ski fanatics ( http://www.skifanatics.net/ ) for a leisurely float down the river. We did it two summers ago and it was really a nice experience. Supposedly you can stop wherever and eat your picnic lunch etc, however, it had rained heavily the day before so the river was moving swiftly and many of the "rock islands" were underwater!!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n..._7675722_n.jpg

Saco River in North Conway.
http://www.sacorivertubing.com/

How's about kayaking the Winnipesaukee River in Laconia between the public kayak put-in ramp and down to the city beach where the river enters Lake Winnisquam.

This is a total distance of unknown distance(?) and unknown paddle time(?) between the Avery Dam kayak launch, that is close to Laconia City Hall, and Laconia's public Bartlett Beach (3.7 acres) on Lake Winnisquam. My guess is that it is maybe one mile in length here and it passes underneath maybe five different bridges as it passes through the built up City of Laconia. One can also exit the Winnipesaukee River at the State of NH motorboat launch ramp facility on the Winnipesaukee River that is just above Bartlett Beach and Lake Winnisquam.

The City of Laconia has a free-to anyone, free-to-use, public launch ramp for hand carry boats, like a kayak or canoe, that is close to Laconia City Hall and just below the Avery Dam on the Winnipesaukee River.

The speed and safety for kayaking the Winnipesaukee River probably varies a lot depending on the outflow from the Lakeport Dam, which is further up-stream in Laconia and is the only outflow for the entire 20-mile plus long, 75-billion gallon, Lake Winnipesaukee. Now, that's a lot of potential water to be flowing over the Lakeport and Avery Dams there.

For a good spot to get an up-close look at the Winnipesaukee River, suggest you go to the Walgreen's Pharmacy parking lot behind the Walgreen's store.
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Rt 93- Exit 28, Campton NH

www.skifanatics.net/tours.html for a guided tour down the Pemigiwasset River in Campton and Plymouth

They have something like four Dodge passenger vans, all hand paint-decorated on the outside like a hippy van, with canoe trailers all loaded up with kayaks and canoes for running their guided tours down the river.

White Water
 

At this time of the year there may not be any white or wild waters in the area. Except possibly the Merrimack River below the Franklin Falls Dam after a good rain storm. I am not sure about the Swift River after the dam, but you can check it out.

At this time of the year, the best bets are the rivers in the Moosehead Lake area in Maine. All three are dam controlled and up to Class IV rapids.

If you want to paddle where there are 'ripples', less than Class I, I would suggest the Androscoggin River near Lake Umbagog. The scenery is incredible! The fishing is second to none!

Otherwise a leisurely paddle from the Lakeport dam down to Lake Winnisquam via the Winnipesaukee River will be your best bet.

Just be careful of fishing lines off the bridges. :cool:

Bristol Rapids: class I and II; level depends on releases for hydro power, there used to be a phone # to call for release lever. 450 cfs, one of three turbines, is the minimum to have any fun.
https://www.americanwhitewater.org/c...etail/id/1178/

Winni rapids easy part class I and II:
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/co...etail/id/3570/

Winni rapids class II and III:
https://www.americanwhitewater.org/c...etail/id/3057/

Both Winni runs depend on upstream release levels.