Experience a fully guided, 3‑day kayak‑camping journey along a scenic 40‑mile stretch of the Upper Connecticut River through Vermont and New Hampshire. We handle the kayaks, camping gear, meals, and camp setup—so you can simply paddle, relax, and enjoy one of New England’s most historic and beautiful river corridors. Seasonal departures are offered in June and October.
Day 1 — Hartland, VT to Wilgus State Park (≈12 miles): Meet at Adventure East headquarters in Sunderland, MA for a morning shuttle north to the put‑in below Sumner Falls. Begin your journey with a scenic paddle featuring views of Mount Ascutney. Arrive at Wilgus State Park, where your guides handle camp setup and dinner.
Day 2 — Wilgus State Park to Charlestown, NH (≈11 miles): Enjoy a relaxed day on the river with broad valley views and a visit near a restored seventeenth‑century wood fort at the end of the paddle. Afterward, you’ll shuttle back to Wilgus for your second night and a freshly prepared camp meal.
Day 3 — Charlestown, NH to Bellows Falls, VT (≈11 miles): Shuttle to a downstream access point and paddle into a calm, wildlife‑rich section of the river backed up by the Bellows Falls dam. Below the dam, you’ll have the opportunity to view ancient Abenaki petroglyphs before concluding the trip and returning by shuttle to Sunderland.
This itinerary follows the Upper Connecticut River from Hartland, Vermont to Bellows Falls, Vermont, weaving along the Vermont–New Hampshire border. The route features gentle current, lush forested banks, mountain views, and excellent wildlife habitat. Nights are spent at Wilgus State Park, the only developed state park on the Vermont shore of the Connecticut River.
You’ll meet at the Adventure East shop in Sunderland, MA, shuttle to the northern put‑in, paddle approximately 11–12 miles each day, and finish near Bellows Falls before returning south by shuttle. The final day includes calm water above the dam and a visit to ancient riverside petroglyphs below the falls, conditions permitting.
Group size is limited to ensure safety, comfort, and a personalized experience. Choose from June or October departures for the seasonal experience that speaks to you.
Kayaking:
Camping:
All meals
Round trip shuttle from Sunderland, MA
Kayaking:
Camping:
We encourage you to take our Intro to River Kayaking Course if you don't have prior river kayaking experience.
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING BAGGAGE:
SHUTTLE: Each guest is limited to one 40-liter duffle, a sleeping bag and sleeping pad on the shuttle.
KAYAK: 1 dry bag supplied by Adventure East for personal items. Additional stowage space is available, and we recommend you plan on bringing a maximum of 20lbs in your kayak.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will I have my own tent? We will provide a tent for each participant or pair up with your buddy if you’d like.
Will I have to carry all my gear in my kayak? We will shuttle your 40L overnight bag, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Each day you will paddle with your dry bag to carry personal items you will need while paddling and your lunch,
Will there be menu options? We will offer gluten free, vegan options.
What if the weather conditions are less than perfect? We will paddle rain or shine. Our guides will continuously monitor river flow and weather conditions to ensure safe paddling conditions. We will stop paddling and go ashore when there is thunder and lightning.
Will there be mosquitos? Yes, they are less inclined to hang out with us around our campfire. Long sleeves and long pants with socks will minimize their nuisance as well.
Are there showers? There are paid showers at the campground.
What kind of kayaks do you have? We have a variety of touring kayaks with rudders and fore and aft storage compartments. Most are between 14 and 15 feet in length. We will evaluate each guest for best fit when we assign a kayak.
Where do I leave my car? Everyone will ride the shuttle from the Adventure East shop to the put-in. We will provide you with details on the parking location in Sunderland prior to departure. We will shuttle you from the take-out in Sunderland back to your car.
