Find Your Adventure: Whitewater Rafting in NH
From surfing to zip-lining, from climbing to biking, local pros show you where to start for some of the Granite State’s most thrilling pursuits
Looking for an opportunity to get out and try a new sport or hobby this season, but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Each of our local adventure experts will guide you through how to approach ziplining, ATVing, biking, surfing, scuba diving, climbing and whitewater rafting, complete with tips and tricks for each quest and recommendations for where to go.
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Riding High: Zip-lining in NH
Wild On Wheels: ATV-in in NH
Cruising the Thin Blue Line: Surfing in NH
Take a Hike: Hiking in NH
Hot Wheels: Biking in NH
Find Your Froth by Jill Armstrong
Whitewater rafting offers a rush of emotions
Rafting on the Androscoggin River in late summer. Photo by Jon Anders Wiken
One moment, I was paddling deep and hard with my raft mates as we navigated a frothing section of rapids. The next, I was admiring the lush green foliage along the Magalloway River, looking for signs of wildlife, as our raft floated lazily downstream.
This is the thrill of whitewater rafting: an addicting juxtaposition of adrenaline and tranquility. My first excursion
was timed perfectly with the summer’s final recreational river release.
On a bright August day, I joined guides from the Errol-based rafting company Northern Waters Outfitters and a group of fellow thrill-seekers to take on the formidable conditions created when 1,200 cubic feet of water surges from a nearby dam every second.
Whitewater rapids are classified into six categories (Class I through Class VI), which describe the size of the waves; the presence of features, such as waterfalls or whirlpools; and ultimately the navigability of the route.
Typically, this particular stretch of the Magalloway — a tributary of the Androscoggin River that flows south from Maine to New Hampshire — features Class II rapids: quick-moving water that calls for some maneuvering around obstacles, but offers a relatively mellow introduction to rafting for beginners. During this scheduled release, however — a planned increase in water flow from the Aziscohos Dam in northwestern Maine — the classification intensified to Class III, transforming the run into a faster ride with larger waves and more pronounced drops that demanded more precision.
My outing began at the outfitter’s Paddle Shack, where I was given a personal flotation device and a helmet. Here, I listened to a short safety talk, which included advice on what to do if I were to fall overboard (it happens more than one might think) before shuttling to the put-in spot upstream.
After a quick hike down to the water, my group of six hopped in a 14-foot inflatable raft with our guide who directed us from the stern of the craft. Once we launched, there wasn’t much time to think before the current intensified and churning rapids came into view.
With my inner hand on the paddle’s T-grip and my outer wrapped tightly around the paddle shaft, I moved instinctively to the sound of the voice from behind. “Two forward! All back! Paddles up!” I held my paddle (and my breath) as the raft plunged over the first waterfall, the river’s power churning beneath my feet. In an instant, numbing water splashed over the bow, providing a good soaking — stunning yet energizing — to those of us in the front.
Perhaps the most intense moment came toward the end: pitching into a large wave created by a submerged boulder, surfing the crest, and stalling momentarily at the peak before spinning wildly over and down a drop, allowing the current to carry us on.
My heart racing and arms shaking, I found it hard not to smile, admiring the slow, sparkling water, signaling the run’s end, up ahead.
While many New Englanders might be more familiar with the Kennebec River in Maine or the Deerfield River in Massachusetts, there are plenty of opportunities for whitewater adventures in the Granite State:
Northern Waters Outfitters: Described as the perfect basecamp for North Country adventures, Northern Waters Outfitters offers guided rafting tours, kayak and canoe rentals, and onsite camping. With Class II and III rapids, rafting on the Androscoggin River is a great place for beginners to build more confidence in whitewater. Tours include four runs down the river, and, for the adventurous, inflatable kayaks are available to test out, too.
North Woods Rafting: Pancake Wave, Fluffy Bunny Hole, and Grandma’s Revenge are a few whitewater features rafters encounter on the Errol Rapid Adventure with North Woods Rafting, one of New Hampshire’s oldest rafting companies. Boasting fun for the entire family, this classic New England tour on the Androscoggin ends with swim time in Braggs Bay.
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center: Been rafting before, but interested in learning more about whitewater paddling? Consider one of the Beginner Whitewater Kayaking Clinics at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Gorham. In this full-day program, participants will learn proper paddling techniques, perform self-rescues and read river hydrology among other important skills.
Outdoor New England: Explore Class I and II rapids on the upper Winnipesaukee River with Outdoor New England, a hub for outdoor recreation in the Lakes Region. Starting in May, this Franklin-based outfitter offers the Gripper to Ripper instruction program: five personalized whitewater lessons totaling 24 hours of instruction.
Find your adventure!
Northern Waters Outfitters: Rafting tours cost $80 for adults and $70 for youth younger than 18. beoutside.com
North Woods Rafting: Tours cost $79 for adults (ages 11+) and $59 for youth (ages 5-10). northwoodsrafting.com
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center: Recommended for ages 13 and up. Semi-private clinics cost $195, while private clinics cost $315. greatglentrails.com
Outdoor New England: Purchase a discounted gift certificate for the program ($648) by visiting outdoornewengland.com.
Jill Armstrong is a frequent contributor who reports on the outdoor industry in the Granite State. A lover of the natural world, she looks to her adventures in snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, rafting and surfing for inspiration. Jill lives in Manchester where she is perpetually researching and planning new travel opportunities abroad.
