Lake Umbagog in New Hampshire

Trip Overview

This was to be our first time out in kayaks, and it proved to be one of the best outings of our life! We signed up for a full day kayaking Tour/Lesson with Great Glen Trails at Mt. Washington in NH. Because of the cloudy morning, the other 6 people cancelled so my wife and I ended up with private lessons and a private tour! We put in on the Androscoggin River North of Errol, NH and paddled up river to Lake Umbagog. As we were putting in the cry of a nearby Loon had me hooked!

After paddling for about 2 hours North, we entered the lake into the wind and some pretty hefty waves, (at least for novices like us!) after making some adjustments to our paddling technique we found that you really can steer these things in the wind. Our guide led us to an island to have lunch. Looking across a channel of water, we were face to face with a Bald Eagle sitting in its nest on a pine tree on another island.

After lunch, we paddled up the Magalaway River for a short distance then came back down and crossed into the Androscoggin River. As we paddled downstream, we passed under another Bald Eagle perched in a branch hanging over the river! In all we saw 15 Loon including one with a young one, Several Osprey, two Bald Eagles, but sadly no moose! That day trip changed my whole outlook! First, we now own kayaks and paddle every chance we get. Second, I am now more in tune with nature and the way that we sometimes mess it up.

Directions:

From Errol, NH, head North on Rte 16 for about 1 mile, look for a boat launch on the right, just north of a dam on the Androscoggin River. There is limited parking. Put in Head North and ENJOY!

Resources:

There is a state park & campground on Lake Umbagog, called Umbagog State Park. We didn't stay there, but will next year!