Northern Forest Canoe Trail, a 740-paddling route from New ...



Northern Forest Canoe Trail

Connecticut River Colebrook Spur

Itinerary

The section of the Connecticut River between Colebrook and North Stratford, New Hampshire is characterized by picturesque farmland and rolling hills. Whitewater rapids add challenge and adventure to this route and the riverbed’s deep “holes” provide ideal habitat for wild brook trout. Anglers pilgrimage from far and wide to enjoy the pleasure of fishing the waters of the Upper Connecticut River. Osprey and bald eagles also hunt for fish in these waters and black bear can sometimes be spotted feeding in the area’s corn fields.

Below you will find a sample itinerary designed to reveal a

few of the many activities and experiences available to

visitors here. To tailor a trip to this area, simply visit the

Trip Planner and create your own itinerary.

If you would like to stay in the area the night before your paddle on the Connecticut you can find lodging and restaurants in the towns of North Stratford or Colebrook. (Area Lodging)

Day 1

Begin your trip in the town of Colebrook with a delicious fresh pastry from Le Rendez-Vous French Bakery or, for heartier fare, head to Howard’s Restaurant. If you still need to buy gear for your paddling trip, Ducret’s Sporting Goods has a wide variety of boating, fishing and camping supplies. You can also find outdoor clothing and shoes at Northern Outlet of New England and pick up groceries for your trip at LaPerle’s IGA. There are several fun shops including Creative Natives and The Old Apple Tree gift shop in Colebrook which sell local crafts, gifts and clothing.

While you prepare for your paddling adventure, consider the logistical and safety benefits of hiring a guide from Kingdom Guide Service to join you. Along the river, guides also highlight the subtleties of the river’s natural ecosystems and tell stories of both the Native and non-Native people who have inhabited the landscape through history. If you are an angler, the guides of Osprey Fishing Adventures can help you discover the pleasures of fly fishing from the comfort of their drift boat.

It is worth your while to drive north from Colebrook on Route 145 to Beaver Brook Falls, a spectacular waterfall with a lovely park and viewing area. You may want to bring along a picnic to enjoy in this beautiful spot. You might also consider a visit to the Great North Woods Interpretive Center on Route 3 north of Colebrook. Displays include information about the natural and cultural history of the area and sometimes feature local artists and craftspeople.

For the avid fishermen, head north along Route 3 from Colebrook for a late afternoon troll in the deep, cool waters of the Connecticut Lakes. These lakes are renowned for their landlocked salmon and lake trout. Be mindful on windy days that whitecaps can quickly kick up on these waters. Keep your eyes out for moose as you drive north. This section of Route 3 is known as Moose Alley.

For dinner, feast on a juicy steak or roasted chicken at the Wilderness Restaurant and Lounge or at the Colebrook Country Club. Stay for the night in a cozy room at the Northern Comfort Motel or the Colebrook House Inn.

Day 2

Sample some of the tasty baked goods at Mostly Muffins before setting out for your two-day journey on the Connecticut River. You will put in on the Vermont side of the Connecticut in Lemington. There is swift water along this section and a danger of “sweepers” or obstacles in the water. Pay close attention as you begin paddling.

Enjoy the many opportunities to cast your line in search of one of the wild brook trout that live in these waters. According to the Trout Unlimited website, “The Upper Connecticut River and its tributaries boast a diversified fishery.   Fly fishers from all over the Northeast travel to the Upper Connecticut to ply their trade and test their skills.” () The Connecticut River Joint Commissions, Trout Unlimited, and other local agencies are working to preserve and restore the beauty and bounty of this incredible river and its watershed.

As you travel downstream, be sure to watch for areas of swift water.

For a shorter day, look for campsite just north of the Columbia Bridge on the New Hampshire side of the river. This site is easily reached from the water and does not require a reservation. It was established in 2008 by the town of Columbia. Fires are not permitted.

For those interested in paddling further, you can continue on to Lyman Falls. Be careful as you approach the falls, even the most advanced paddlers should scout the rapids before running them. After scouting, determine for yourself if your paddling skills are up to the challenge of navigating these turbulent waters. If you do decide to paddle the falls, stay to the New Hampshire side of the river.

Once past the falls, look on the Vermont side for the primitive campsites of Lyman Falls State Park. Reservations are not required for these sites. If you take out here, be sure your canoe is well secured. Many paddlers have lost their boats to the falls in the past.

Day 3

On your next morning as you travel downstream, you will pick your way through a shallow, “bony” section and through more swift water before coming to the confluence of the Nulhegan River and arriving in the town of North Stratford, NH. You can take out on the Vermont side in the town of Bloomfield at the Northern Forest Canoe Trail kiosk. Sit by the river and enjoy a delicious deli sandwich from the Stratford Market in North Stratford or at the Debanville's General Store in Bloomfield, VT.

If you want to explore further downriver, another 11 miles along a calm current will deliver you to the Stratford-Maidstone Bridge. You can take out on the New Hampshire side. A few miles before the bridge, you will pass a stone pier in the middle of the water. The NFCT Maine Central Railroad Trestle Campsite is situated here on the Vermont side of the river.

You can arrange a shuttle and reserve a comfortable, well-kept room at The Blueberry Hill Inn, Café and Campground, an early colonial farm house surrounded by over 50 acres of woods and blueberry fields. Return to Colebrook for a dinner at the Wilderness Restaurant and Lounge.

Looking for a vacation package in this area? See the NFCT Vacation Packages Page!

Suggested Reading

Maps and Guides

• Northern Forest Canoe Trail Map 7: Great North Woods, The Mountaineers Books, 2005.

• Boating on the Connecticut River in Vermont and New Hampshire, Connecticut River Joint Commissions, , 1999.

• AMC River Guide: New Hampshire/Vermont, Appalachian Mountain Club, 2002.

• New Hampshire Atlas and Gazetteer, Delorme, 2005

• USGS Topographical Map: Groveton (NH-VT-ME). (888) ASK-USGS or

• The Cohos Trail, Kim Nilsen. Nicolin Fields Publishing, 2000.

• The Connecticut River Boating Guide: Source to Sea, 3rd edition, Connecticut River Watershed Council, 2007.

• Find flowage levels for the Connecticut River at the Connecticut River Joint Commission website:

Fact and Fiction

• Log Drives on the Connecticut River, Bill Gove. Bondcliff Books, 2003.

• Northeast Passage: A Photographers Journey Along the Historic Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Clyde Smith. Thistle Hill Publications, 2005.

• Northwoods Echoes: A Collection of True Short Stories and Accounts of the North Country, Richard E. Pinette. Self-published, 1986.

• Northwoods Heritage: Authentic Short Accounts of the Northland in Another Era, Richard E. Pinette. Liebel Printing, 1992.

• Padding Through Time. Northern Forest Canoe Trail. 2006.

• Smoke from a Thousand Campfires, Paul Doherty. Smith and Town Printers, 1993.

• Tall Trees, Tough Men, Robert E. Pike. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1999.

If you enjoyed this adventure, consider exploring other portions of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

Map 1 – Fulton Chain of Lakes to Long Lake

Map 2 – Long Lake to Saranac River

Map 3 – Saranac River to Lake Champlain

Map 4 – Lake Champlain to Missisquoi River

Map 5- Missisquoi River to Lake Memphremagog

Map 6 – Lake Memphremagog to Connecticut River

Map 7 – Connecticut River to Umbagog Lake

Map 8 – Umbagog Lake to Rangeley Lake

Map 9 – Rangeley Lake to Spencer Stream

Map 10 – Spencer Stream to Moosehead Lake

Map 11 – Moosehead Lake to Umbazooksus Stream

Map 12 – Umbazooksus Stream to Umsaskis Lake

Map 13 – Umsaskis Lake to St. John River

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Day 1

Dining

Breakfast

• Le Rendez-Vous French Bakery Colebrook, NH

• Howard’s Restaurant, Colebrook, NH

Lunch

• picnic at Beaver Brook Falls

Dinner

• Wilderness Restaurant and Lounge, Colebrook, NH

• Colebrook Country Club, Colebrook, NH

Activities

• Beaver Brook Falls

• Visit the shops in Colebrook and prepare for trip

• Fishing on the Connecticut Lakes

Lodging

• Northern Comfort Motel, Colebrook, NH

• Colebrook House Inn, Colebrook, NH

Camping

• Big Rock Campground, North Stratford

Day 2

Dining

Breakfast

• Mostly Muffins, Colebrook, NH

Lunch

• Trail Lunch

Dinner

• Trail Dinner

•

Day 3

Dining

Breakfast

• Trail Breakfast

Lunch

• Stratford Market, North Stratford, NH

• Debanville's General Store, Bloomfield, VT

Dinner

• Wilderness Restaurant and Lounge, Colebrook, NH

Activities

• Paddle from Lyman falls to Bloomington, VT

or

• Paddle from Lyman Falls to Maidstone Bridge, North Stratford, NH

Lodging

• The Blueberry Hill Inn, Café and Campground, North Stratford, NH

Activities

• Paddle from Colebrook to campsite north of Columbia Bridge

or

• Paddle from Colebrook to Lyman Falls

Lodging

• Camping at site north of Columbia Bridge

or

• Camping at Lyman Falls State Park primitive campsite

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