Hop in the water with your family or friends for a do-it-yourself paddling adventure. Paddle a collection of five destinations in the Merrimack River watershed, specially chosen to maximize fun and learn more about the ecosystem of this watershed that spans from New Hampshire to Massachusetts. This challenge is now FREE and takes place all summer and fall.

We provide digital paddle guides for each excursion, complete with maps, locations of put ins and take outs, important details about the paddle (length, difficulty, time) and information about what you'll see along the way!  This is a great way to get more familiar with one of the region's largest and most important watersheds, and learn why land protection along the Merrimack and its tributaries is still so vitally important.

The paddles:

• Concord River Paddle: Lowell & Billerica, MA
• Cross Border Merrimack Paddle: Nashua, NH to Tyngsborough, MA
• Contoocook River Paddle*: Contoocook & Concord, NH
• Muchyedo Banks Paddle: Penacook, Boscawen & Canterbury, NH
• Silver Maple Floodplain Paddle: Concord, NH

All paddle excursions are designed to be beginner to intermediate flat-water paddles, of between 4 and 9 miles in length and 2-5 hours on the water. Registered participants receive five laminated paddle guides with put-ins/take-outs, directions, interpretive details, and safety tips. Plus, you'll be be entered to win raffle prizes for participating! 

*The Contoocook River Paddle is a one-way paddle using shuttle service available from Contoocook River Canoe Company. Alternatively, there is an out-and-back option for paddlers not wanting to use the shuttle service.

Created and presented by: Five Rivers Conservation Trust, Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust, Merrimack River Watershed Council & Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

2021 Merrimack Paddle Challenge participants on the Contoocook River. (Photo: Nancy Goodell)

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PADDLE SAFELY, SHARE YOUR ADVENTURES & LEARN MORE

• Pack your paddling gear and boat, and head out on your own schedule. Be sure to recreate responsibly and read these safety tips.
• Share your adventures. Tag your photos on social media with #MerrimackPaddleChallenge as you explore.
• Learn more: Watch The Merrimack: River at Risk online at your lesiure; the film highlights efforts to protect the forests and waterways of the Merrimack River watershed. Find out more about the history of the region from the Indigenous NH Collaborative Collective's StoryMap, which includes five points of interest you can visit in the watershed. 

For questions, comments, or suggestions about the Merrimack Paddle Challenge, or to email photos directly, please email mpc@forestsociety.org.