Things to do nearAndroscoggin River
The Androscoggin River winds through the forests and valleys of New Hampshire and Maine, offering paddling, fishing, and sweeping mountain scenery.
The Androscoggin River stretches roughly 170 miles from its headwaters at Umbagog Lake, straddling the New Hampshire and Maine border, down to Merrymeeting Bay near Brunswick, Maine. For much of the 19th and 20th centuries it powered a string of paper and textile mills, and the river carries that industrial heritage alongside its natural one. Cleanup efforts over recent decades have transformed it into one of the region's most improved waterways, and wildlife has returned in force.
Paddlers find the upper Androscoggin particularly rewarding. The stretch through the Thirteen Mile Woods Scenic Area in New Hampshire offers flatwater paddling beneath a canopy of spruce and fir, with moose sightings common in the early morning. Farther downstream, rapids near Rumford draw whitewater enthusiasts, while calmer sections suit kayaking and canoe day trips. Anglers prize the river for its salmon and trout fishing, especially in the colder upper reaches.
The surrounding landscape connects naturally to the broader White Mountains region, and many visitors pair a river day with hiking or scenic drives through the surrounding valleys. Birdwatchers regularly spot osprey, bald eagles, and great blue herons working the shallows.
The Androscoggin River rewards visitors who slow down and pay attention, offering a layered experience of ecology, history, and honest New England wilderness.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Androscoggin River
Visit in late May or early June when snowmelt feeds the upper river and whitewater sections run at their most exciting levels.
Bring a fly rod for the stretch between Errol and Bethel, where wild brook trout and landlocked salmon hold in the deeper pools.
Wear quick-dry layers even on warm days, as river temperatures stay cold well into summer and shade from the tree canopy can surprise you.
Launch a kayak at one of the public access points near Rumford, Maine for a scenic flatwater paddle with views of forested ridgelines on both sides.
Check local flow gauges online before your visit, as water levels on the Androscoggin can shift quickly after heavy rain in the upper watershed.
Top tours & experiences near Androscoggin River
Androscoggin River 3-Hour Tube Float
Float the Androscoggin River at your own pace on a self-guided tube trip
3-Hour Androscoggin River Tube Rental
Float the Androscoggin in a premium tube with an upriver shuttle
Double Kayak Rental on Androscoggin River
Float the Androscoggin at your own pace on a self-guided river outing
2-Hour Androscoggin River Kayak Rental
Float the Androscoggin River at your own pace in a single kayak
4-Hour Double Kayak Rental on Androscoggin River
Paddle a self-guided tandem kayak route with an upriver shuttle
Androscoggin River Single Kayak Rental
Paddle a self-guided stretch of the Androscoggin River with an upriver shuttle
Androscoggin River 4-Hour Canoe Rental
Float the Androscoggin River at your own pace in a stable canoe
Guided Kayak Tour on the Androscoggin River
Paddle slow-moving water and look for river wildlife in Western Maine