Kayak and canoe launches on Contoocook River, New Hampshire

14 launch sites on Contoocook River from NH Access Sites to Public Waters. 11 are listed as hand, car-top or paddlecraft launches. 3 are trailer ramps.

Fees: 14 list no fee, 0 list a fee, 0 not verified. Each listing names its source; check it before you go.

Sort these launches by distance from you

Launch sites A to Z

• Bohanan Farm · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Cedar Street Boat Launch · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Carry from nearest mapped parking

  about 19 m (60 ft), straight line

  Elevation change, parking to launch point

  -0 ft (about 0% average grade)

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Carry distance: nearest parking mapped in OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); elevations: USGS 3DEP. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Contoocook River Access · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Carry from nearest mapped parking

  about 29 m (100 ft), straight line

  Elevation change, parking to launch point

  +0 ft (about 0% average grade)

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Carry distance: nearest parking mapped in OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); elevations: USGS 3DEP. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Contoocook River Access near Contoocook River Reservoir · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Carry from nearest mapped parking

  about 112 m (370 ft), straight line

  Elevation change, parking to launch point

  -10 ft (about 3% average grade)

  • Long carry: a kayak cart or stern wheels saves your back on a long, fairly flat walk. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Carry distance: nearest parking mapped in OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); elevations: USGS 3DEP. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Grimes Park · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Lehtinen Park/Broad Cove · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Carry from nearest mapped parking

  about 44 m (140 ft), straight line

  Elevation change, parking to launch point

  -1 ft (about 0% average grade)

  • The agency rates access here as difficult. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Carry distance: nearest parking mapped in OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); elevations: USGS 3DEP. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Penacook St. Boat Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Gravel

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Gravel surface: wear water shoes and carry the boat rather than dragging it across gravel. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Peterborough Common Pathway · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Carry from nearest mapped parking

  about 3 m (10 ft), straight line

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Carry distance: nearest parking mapped in OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); elevations: USGS 3DEP. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• River Road Boat Launch · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete planks

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Riverway Park · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Accessible features

  Listed

  Carry from nearest mapped parking

  about 194 m (640 ft), straight line

  Elevation change, parking to launch point

  -4 ft (about 1% average grade)

  • Long carry: a kayak cart or stern wheels saves your back on a long, fairly flat walk. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Listed as having accessible features by the managing agency. Call ahead to confirm what is accessible (parking, path, dock or launch). (National Park Service)

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Carry distance: nearest parking mapped in OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); elevations: USGS 3DEP. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Rolfe Canal Public Boat Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• West Henniker Contoocook River Access · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Access details not published; check before you go.
• Wetlands Mitigation Facility · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Whitewater Section Access · Hand launch / carry-in
  No fee listed by NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT) (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Official fields: NH Access Sites to Public Waters (NH GRANIT). Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

New Hampshire paddling rules
Registration, permits, life jackets and AIS stickers

Other New Hampshire waters with 5+ launches

Connecticut River (52) · Lake Winnipesaukee (21) · Merrimack River (21) · Androscoggin River (19) · Pemigewasset River (15) · Sunapee Lake (10) · Lamprey River (8) · Long Pond (7) · Piscataqua River (7) · Squam Lake (7) · Silver Lake (6) · Piscataquog River (6) · All New Hampshire launches

Data shown as published by the agency or mapped source; launch details and fees change, so check the official source before you go.