Canoeing
Saco River
Freyburg, Maine
Depending on when you go, this river can be a shallow peaceful paddle or a floating fraternity house!
by Dana Farnsworth, Outdoor Travels
The Saco River is a beautiful, clear, meandering river that supports a large number of recreational opportunities. Canoeing and camping is by far the most popular and supported activity to enjoy on the 125 mile long river. With a host of outfitters within a short distance, canoeing for a day, an overnight trip, or the active 49 mile segment that is commercially supported can be arranged very easily. On this trip I sampled a short 4 miles and came away very impressed!
The Saco River was named by Native Americans; Saco meaning “flowing east”. The river originates at Mount Washington (6,288 feet). As run off makes it way down Mount Washington, it spills into Saco Lake, a small body of water in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire. From there, the river runs 134 miles and eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean
below Biddeford and Saco, Maine. In NH, the river flows quickly as it drops 1,515 feet over 45 miles. The river is slower in ME, due to the slight elevation change - 383 feet for the entire state - and the six hydropower stations along the river. Although portaging around these hydropower stations is done, all six are located in areas outside of the 49 mile stretch that is most commercially supported (reviewed here).
For our paddle, we sampled the 3.8 miles between Swan’s Falls and Canal Bridge. Both areas serve as river access as well as a campground. Camping opportunities along the river are plentiful as “open river” camping is allowed. What you’ll be happy to find are white sandy beaches and sandbars that are available for primitive camping from Swans Falls Dam to Hiram, ME (approximately 30 miles). Some areas can
be marked with "No Trespassing" signs and unfortunately have been closed for public use. The open camping environment is a privilege found on no other river and is a result of cooperative and generous landowners. Please respect nature and the landowner’s generosity and
leave no trace!
Most if not all of the canoe outfitters in the area offer packages that range in duration and include rental, drop off and pick up services. Once we were dropped off with our boats at Swan’s Falls Dam, I was immediately impressed with the clarity of the water and the peacefulness of the shallow river. According to our outfitter, the peacefulness that we would enjoy isn’t there during the peak of summer. Apparently, floating down the Saco with a multitude of lashed together canoes, swilling beer and getting sun burnt along with thousands of your
closest friends is pretty popular during midsummer. Although this sounds like a good bit of fun to me, if you seek a quieter paddling experience, make sure to check ahead of time with an outfitter to avoid those “festival” dates.
On this day, we shared the river with the blue sky, a few ducks and a limited number of other canoeists. The Saco has a gentle current that makes paddling more of a maneuvering exercise as opposed to propulsion. The waters of the Saco are darn close to crystalline; at times, it looked as if our boats were floating on air.
For the most part, the Saco retains its placid nature that we enjoyed. However, there are a few portages as well as channels to avoid if you are paddling the entire length of the commercially supported 49 mile segment of river from the 302 Bridge in Conway to the Hiram Bridge.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end; and all too soon, we approached our take out at Canal Bridge. I can highly recommend an afternoon, a day, or several days on the Saco. It really is a peaceful, pretty and fun adventure. If I make it back that way, I would love to do an overnight adventure.
Distances:
- From 302 Bridge to Weston’s Bridge = 10.1 miles
- Weston’s Bridge to Swan’s Falls = 3.4 miles
(A portage is required around the Swan’s Falls Dam)
- Swan’s Falls to Canal Bridge (reviewed here) = 3.8 miles
- Canal Bridge to Walker’s Bridge = 7 miles
(There is a channel to avoid river right at Stoney Brook)
- Walker’s Bridge to Walker’s Rip (falls) = 2.7 miles
(Avoid channel river right see map – Walker’s Rip has short section of rapids)
- Walker’s Rip to Lovewell’s Pond = 2 miles
- Lovewell’s Pond to Brownfield Bridge = 5.9 miles
- Brownfield Bridge to Hiram Bridge = 13.8 miles
Total Distance 48.7 miles
Snapshot
Trail(s): While the Saco is about 134 miles long, the area most commercially supported is 48.7 miles from 302 Bridge in Conway – Hiram Bridge about 4 miles southeast of Freyburg.
Difficulty; Easy. Slow current and shallow water, make for an easy paddle.
Outdoor Travels Rating: 3.5 out of 5 for beautiful scenery, water and easy camping access.
Thumbs Up
- Relaxing easy to paddle
- Options for short day paddles-multi day adventures
- Scenery is very pretty
- Lots of swimming opportunities
- Riverside open camping on sandy banks
- Gentle current makes paddling relaxing
- Supported by many outfitters
Thumbs Down
- If crowds are not your thing, avoid the busy party season
- A few dangerous channels can be hazardous to those who don’t pay attention
Nuts and Bolts
Location: While the Saco is about 134 miles long, the area most commercially supported is 48.7 miles from 302 Bridge in Conway – Hiram Bridge about 4 miles southeast of Freyburg.
Facilities: Open camping along a lot of the river’s bank as well as several commercial campgrounds is available. Canoe rental, drop off and pick up are available through one of many outfitters.
Contact: Saco River Recreational Council, P.O. Box 363, Fryeburg, Maine
04037 Phone: 603-447-3801
Admission: none
Camping: River bank camping allowed from Swans Falls Dam to Hiram, ME (approximately 30 miles). Some areas can be marked with "No
Trespassing" signs and unfortunately have been closed for public
use. Many commercial campgrounds are also available for less primitive
options.
Activities: Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, etc.
Maps and Stuff
Photos
