Bloomfield to Maidstone

This trip follows a segment of the river designated as a “Natural Segment” by the State of New Hampshire, and motorized craft are prohibited. The Northern Forest Canoe Trail also follows this section, and manages a campsite near a former railroad trestle.

This is a pastoral and suprisingly remote feeling section of the river. Once you put-in, you won’t be close to a road until the take-out in Maistone.

Put in at Debanville Landing, in Bloomfield, Vermont, where you’ll also find Debanville General Store, a perfect place to grab lunch or stock up on snacks for your river trip. Particularly in the early spring, you will encounter quickwater and Class I rapids. There are wonderful mountain views in this segment.

Keep your eye out for the outlet to the famous Brunswick Springs, a sacred Abenaki spot.

The Maine Central Railroad Campsite is a fine place to stop for a break. There are wonderful mountain views in this segment and, later in the summer, some sandy beaches along the way.