Not everyone owns kayaks or canoes–or wants to haul them along when they go off on a vacation, or even a weekend getaway. But floating down a gentle river is a perfect way to spend a sunny day. Fortunately, these river paddling outfitters, guides and shuttle services in the Northeast will point you toward fun on the water in summer or fall! They all rent boats along rivers here in the northeast. And, if you want to go with the flow, many of these businesses offer a shuttle service to get you and boats (theirs or yours) reconnected with your car at the end of a river paddle.

Some of the businesses on this list also offer guided trips for a half day, full day, or even multi-days, camping or paddling inn to inn. So even if you’re a complete novice in a canoe or kayak, you can safely do most of these paddling adventures.  Give it a try. The fun is pretty much guaranteed.

River Paddling Outfitters, Guides and Shuttle Services in Connecticut

Farmington River: Main Stream Canoes and Kayaks in New Hartford, CT

Housatonic River: Clarke Outdoors in West Cornwall, CT

River Paddling Outfitters, Guides and Shuttle Services in Maine

Allagash River:

Allagash Canoe Trips in Greenville, Maine

Allagash Guide Service in Allagash, Maine

Mahoosuc Guide Service in Newry, Maine

Allagash, Moosehead West Outlet, St Croix, Penobscot Rivers and Others:

Canoe the Wild in Weston, Maine

Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville, Maine

Androscoggin River: Bethel Outdoor Adventure in Bethel, Maine

Aroostook River: Perception of Aroostook in Presque Isle, Maine

Kennebago, Cupsuptic, Magalloway, and North Branch Dead River:

River’s Edge Sport in Oquossoc, Maine

Kennebunk and Mousam Rivers: Coastal Maine Kayak in Kennebunk. Maine

Machias and St. Croix Rivers: Sunrise Canoe and Kayak in Machias, Maine

Moose River: Cry of the Loon in Jackman, Maine

Saco River: (See listings in New Hampshire)

Saint George River: Maine Sport Outfitters in Camden, ME

River Paddling Outfitters, Guides and Shuttle Services in Massachusetts

Bass River: Bass River Cruises and Kayaks in West Dennis (Cape Cod)

Charles River: Charles River Canoe & Kayak in Newton/Auburndale, MA

Deerfield River: Zoar Outdoor, Charlemont, MA

Housatonic River:

Bearcamp River: Canoe King in Tamworth, NH

Blackwater River: Kayak Country in Andover, NH

Connecticut River:

Hemlock Pete’s Canoes and Kayaks in North Haverhill, NH

Ledyard Canoe Club in Hanover, NH

North Star Canoe and Kayak in Cornish, NH

Contoocook River

Amazing Grace Marina in Bennington, NH

Contoocook River Canoe Company in Concord, NH

Merrimack River 

Contoocook River Canoe Company in Concord, NH

Edgewater Canoe Rentals  in Hooksett, NH

Quickwater Canoe and Kayak in Concord, NH

Pemigewasset River

Outdoor Outfitters in Lincoln, NH

Saco River

Northern Extremes in Conway, NH

Saco Bound in Conway, NH

Saco Canoe Rental Company in Conway, NH

Saco River Canoe and Kayak in Fryeburg ME

River Paddling Outfitters, Guides and Shuttle Services in New York

Delaware River:

Catskill Outfitters in Walton, NY

Silver Canoe in Port Jervis, NY

Hudson River: 

Atlantic Kayak Tours in Cortlandt Manor, NY

Beaver Brook Outfitters in Wevertown, NY

Moose River: 

Adirondack Exposure in Old Forge, NY

Mountainman Outdoor in Old Forge, NY

Nissequogue River: Nissequogue River Canoe and Kayak in Smithtown, NY (Long Island)

Oak Orchard Creek: Oak Orchard Canoe and Kayak in Waterport, NY

Saranac River: St. Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake, NY

Saranac and Raquette Rivers: Adirondack Outfitters in Saranac Lake, NY

Susquehanna River: Canoe And Kayak Rentals in Portlandville, NY

12-Mile and 18 Mile Creeks: Canoe and Kayak Rentals in Wilson NY

Custom Trips

Adirondack Mountain and Stream Guide Service in Olmsteadville, NY

High Peaks Mountain Guides in Lake Placid, NY

Northwoods Wilderness Guide Service in Schroon Lake, NY

River Paddling Outfitters, Guides and Shuttle Services in Vermont

Battenkill River: BattenKill Canoe in Arlingon, VT

Clyde River: Clyde River Recreation in  West Charleston. VT

Connecticut River: Vermont Canoe Touring Center 802-257-5008 (no website) in Brattleboro, VT

Lamoille River: 

Bert’s Boats in Jeffersonville, VT

Vermont Canoe and Kayak in Jeffersonville, VT

Lamoille and Winooski Rivers: Umiak Outfitters in Stowe, VT

Mad and Winooksi Rivers: Clearwater Sports in Waitsfield, VT

White River: Vermont Adventure Tours in Rutland, VT

River Paddling Outfitters, Guides and Shuttle Services in Quebec, Eastern Townships

Massawippi River: Marina de North Hatley, in North Hatley, QC

Missisquoi River: Canoe & Co. in Glen Sutton