Androscoggin River Trail
The Androscoggin River Watershed Council has worked with numerous groups and individuals to establish a water trail along the full length of the Androscoggin River from Lake Umbagog in Northern New Hampshire to the easterly end of Merrymeeting Bay in Maine. The purpose of the Trail is to provide access for a wide variety of uses including paddling, fishing and boating in appropriate parts of the river.
The Androscoggin River flows 168 miles; there are more than 50 mapped, publicly available access sites to the river. The Water Trail provides access to the vast majority of the river system through the existing sites. Full development of the trail will include a number of site improvements to existing sites and the establishment of new sites. In addition, improved portages, water access only sites, and day use areas are additions currently being planned or undertaken.
Self Guided Tours
Learn how you can plan your own trips on the river trail and the surrounding lakes and ponds. Some paddles can be done as out and back paddles preventing paddlers from needing to shuttle between sites.
Paddlers can also shuttle using bikes on many stretches of the river. Drop your bike off at the downstream access, lock it up, and then bike back to pick up your vehicle at the end of your paddle. You can lock most recreational kayaks, using your bike lock around the seat frame.
Source to the Sea Trek
For more than 20 years, the Androscoggin Source to the Sea (Trek) was ARWC's signature event. Each year we paddled the majority of the Androscoggin's 168 miles, welcoming paddlers to join us for one day or many as we celebrated the Androscoggin's revitalization over the past four decades. The river is an incredible resource for paddling and fishing, home to abundant wildlife on every stretch, and an asset to the communities on its banks, and we believe the best way to understand the river is to experience it first-hand. We now schedule special days of paddling in special areas on the river or ponds in the Little Androscoggin Watershed. We also cooperate with other organizations to offer group paddles. Please join us in future years!
"Thank you for another satisfying day on the Androscoggin! Mexico to Dixfield was my very first time on a river. Center Bridge to Lewiston was my second. Each time I pushed what I thought were my limits and came away filled with satisfaction...I want to thank all of you who helped me on the treks. Your help and advice was crucial in enabling me to enjoy this wonderful experience...Your kind thoughtfulness is truly inspiring. Next month I will celebrate my 74th birthday. This gift of 2 days on the river counts as one of the best birthday presents ever. Thank you all for making it happen."