WAITSFIELD, Vt. — Fall foliage is just around the corner and the folks at the Northern Forest Canoe Trail have the inside scoop on the best seats in the house. Grab a paddle and view the northern forest oranges, reds and yellows from your canoe or kayak.
Here are a few of the great fall paddles you might try:
- New York: From the town of Saranac Lake, the Saranac River flows peacefully for 10 miles before reaching Class II-III Permanent Rapids. Paddlers journey a meandering course through mature flood plain forest, and are greeted with vistas of mountains, big and small.
- Vermont: Lake Champlain’s Missisquoi River delta offers coves and islands, and promises sightings of great blue heron, osprey and migrating Canada geese. Let Missisquoi Wildlife Wonders help you plan your visit.
- Canada: At its western end, the Missisquoi River flows through southern Quebec. Explore the Eastern Townships provides shuttle and overnight options.
- New Hampshire: The Magalloway River and Lake Umbagog promise sunny autumn days and crisp, wood-smoke scented nights. Hike, Bike and Paddle lets you be a weekend warrior and make the most of the season’s shortening days.
- Maine: Immerse yourself in the foliage by paddling the Moose River Bow Trip. This three-day, 34-mile paddling loop offers mostly flat water, with some rapids and portages on Attean and Holeb ponds and the Moose River.
- Got map? A successful autumn paddle starts with having good directions. NFCT publishes a guidebook and waterproof, 13-map set covering the entire 740-mile trail. Get maps individually, by state set, or get one free when you buy the whole shebang.
- For more information check out www.NorthernForestCanoeTrail.org