| Northern Forest Canoe Trail PLACE YOUR AD HERE! Click here for your FREE weekly newsletter! (And get 12 FREE desktop backgrounds) Bring the heart of New England into your home with beautiful, affordable, high-quality New England prints. Visit our Gallery today! Visit our Marketplace for everything New England! More Travel Info |
Resting and Refueling
Along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail
There are a number of ways to comfortably experience a night or two along the
Northern Forest Canoe Trail beyond tenting at waterside campsites and cooking
your own meals.
Options for B&Bs, inns, guest houses and motels are plentiful along the 740-mile
water trail for canoeists, kayakers and fishermen. And paddlers can get a hot
meal or sandwich at a restaurant or market in many towns. Here's a sampling of
accommodations and eateries not far from the trail in New York, Vermont, New
Hampshire and Maine.
The New York section of the trail stretches 147 miles from the Fulton Chain
of Lakes to Lake Champlain. Much of the trail passes through the scenic
Adirondack Park Preserve, and paddlers navigate the Raquette River, Long
Lake, and the Saranac Lakes and River on the way to Champlain.
Where to Sleep:
The Woods Inn has 20 rooms with private baths, and Adirondack guide tents on
the shore of Fourth Lake in the town of Inlet. The 1894 inn is open year-round for
early and late-season paddlers.
Branch Farm Bed & Breakfast on Lake Flower in the village of Saranac Lake is an
ideal departure point for day paddles on the Saranac chain of lakes. A two-room
suite, stand-alone apartment, and guest house each sleep three or four people.
Plattsburgh's Point Au Roche Lodge overlooks Lake Champlain and is adjacent
to a state park. Four of the lodge's eight rooms have a Jacuzzi tub and fireplace.
Where to Eat:
Seventh Lake House Restaurant overlooks the lake by the same name just east of
the village of Inlet. Choose a bottle from the large wine list before selecting a
meat or fish entrée prepared by the chef/owner.
McKenzie's Grille (518-891-2574) in Saranac Lake serves breakfast and lunch
seven days a week, year-round. It's a popular spot for pancakes, hearty
sandwiches and tender steaks.
The Great Adirondack Soup Company in Plattsburgh offers daily kitchen-made
soup, salad and sandwich specials, and vegetarian choices.
Paddlers exploring Lake Champlain or the lakes and rivers of Vermont's
Northeast Kingdom will work up an appetite and need plenty of peaceful
sleep. There are 152 miles of trail to explore in Vermont between Champlain and
the Connecticut River, and a 22-mile section in southern Quebec, Canada.
Where to Sleep:
Relax and refuel in the middle of Champlain at the North Hero House Inn &
Restaurant in the island town of North Hero. Choose a waterview room in one of
four buildings, and enjoy dishes like Great Lakes Walleye
stuffed with spinach, shallots, garlic, artichoke hearts and Swiss cheese.
The Swanton Motel is a short walk from the trail in downtown Swanton. Enjoy
WiFi, a swimming pool, and rooms with air conditioning and a refrigerator.
The Newport City Motel is a short distance from Lake Memphremagog in
Vermont's northernmost city.
Where to Eat:
At Abbey Restaurant & Pub in Enosburg Falls, fill up at the restaurant's salad
and fruit bar, or with one of the pub's big Angus burgers.
Paddling partners can splurge on the seven course Italian dinner at the Lake
Salem Inn, or try the crab stuffed chicken breast.
The NFCT's New Hampshire route is made for river lovers. Nearly all of
the trail's 72 miles through the Granite State flow along the Connecticut, Upper
Ammonoosuc and Androscoggin Rivers. The paddling ranges from lazy currents
to Class III rapids. New Hampshire is ideal for solo canoeists or kayakers
seeking a long distance trip, or for families and groups out for a weekend of
paddling and camping.
Where to Sleep:
The 150 Main Street guest house has two rooms and a suite on the Androscoggin
River in the town of Errol. Prepare your own meals in the guest kitchen.
Cedar Pond Campground in Milan is conveniently located at the midpoint of a
nearly four-mile portage trail between the Androscoggin and Upper
Ammonoosuc. The campground has 32 tenting sites, modern cabins with
bathrooms and full kitchens, and laundry facilities.
The Blueberry Hill Inn & Café in Stratford is a great choice for paddlers traveling
the Connecticut River. Large rooms and three meals available from the café
prepare guests for the second half of their river adventure.
Where to Eat:
Stone's Pizza (603-636-2205) makes fresh dough pies, calzones and pasta dinners
in downtown Groveton.
It's worth the drive for a meal or dessert at Northland Restaurant & Dairy Bar
(603-752-6210) in Berlin. The chowders are popular, as are the many flavors of
Northland's Finest ice cream.
Even the soda is original at the Errol 'Cream Barrel & Chuck Wagon
(603-482-3258). Sip a sarsaparilla or ginger beer soda, and try the hand-cut fires or
onion rings at this fun family restaurant.
Remote streams and ponds, and legendary lakes like Rangeley and Moosehead
mark the 347-mile Maine section of the NFCT. Along the way, there
are plenty of great food choices and accommodations.
Where to Sleep:
The White Wolf Inn in Stratton has comfortable rooms decorated in the "Early
Maine Recycle" style, with views of the Bigelow Mountain Range. The inn is
close to Flagstaff Lake and canoe and kayak rentals.
Park at the dock of The Birches Resort on Moosehead Lake in the town of
Rockwood, and spend a quiet evening in a wilderness yurt, two-person cabin or
a room in the main lodge.
Long distance paddlers will be happy to use the on-site laundry facilities at the
Northern Door Inn in Fort Kent. Great rates and a continental breakfast make the
inn a welcome stay at the NFCT's eastern terminus.
Where to Eat:
Made-from-scratch comfort food is the draw at Bigwood Steakhouse on Big
Wood Pond in Jackman. The menu will please meat-lovers, and offers fish and
salad choices too.
Before spending a day on Mooselookmeguntic Lake or Rangeley Lake, get
fueled at BMC Diner (207-864-5844) on Main St. in Rangeley. Try a big omelet
filled with fresh vegetables or a stack of Maine wild blueberry pancakes.
Great food has always been a staple at the former 1860s lumberman's guest
house now known as the Chesuncook Lake House. Three meals are served daily
featuring organic vegetables from the garden, wild berries, the owner-raised
buffalo and pork, and a variety of fresh baked breads and pastries.
To learn more about dining and accommodations on the Northern Forest Canoe
Trail or call 802-496-2285.
About the Northern Forest Canoe Trail: The Northern Forest Canoe Trail links the
watersheds of northern New York, Vermont, Québec, New Hampshire and Maine, and is a
unique thread tying together the Northern Forest Region. The 740-mile water trail traces
historic Native American travel routes through the rivers of this region, and is a living
reminder our history, where rivers are both highways and routes of communication.
Flowing with the stories of Native Americans, European settlers, and the development of
mill towns and the timber industry, the Trail's rich heritage serves as a basis for widely
accessible, environmentally friendly tourism in many of the small communities along the
route.
See Also: Paddling Home -- A Journey Along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail
Along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail
There are a number of ways to comfortably experience a night or two along the
Northern Forest Canoe Trail beyond tenting at waterside campsites and cooking
your own meals.
Options for B&Bs, inns, guest houses and motels are plentiful along the 740-mile
water trail for canoeists, kayakers and fishermen. And paddlers can get a hot
meal or sandwich at a restaurant or market in many towns. Here's a sampling of
accommodations and eateries not far from the trail in New York, Vermont, New
Hampshire and Maine.
The New York section of the trail stretches 147 miles from the Fulton Chain
of Lakes to Lake Champlain. Much of the trail passes through the scenic
Adirondack Park Preserve, and paddlers navigate the Raquette River, Long
Lake, and the Saranac Lakes and River on the way to Champlain.
Where to Sleep:
The Woods Inn has 20 rooms with private baths, and Adirondack guide tents on
the shore of Fourth Lake in the town of Inlet. The 1894 inn is open year-round for
early and late-season paddlers.
Branch Farm Bed & Breakfast on Lake Flower in the village of Saranac Lake is an
ideal departure point for day paddles on the Saranac chain of lakes. A two-room
suite, stand-alone apartment, and guest house each sleep three or four people.
Plattsburgh's Point Au Roche Lodge overlooks Lake Champlain and is adjacent
to a state park. Four of the lodge's eight rooms have a Jacuzzi tub and fireplace.
Where to Eat:
Seventh Lake House Restaurant overlooks the lake by the same name just east of
the village of Inlet. Choose a bottle from the large wine list before selecting a
meat or fish entrée prepared by the chef/owner.
McKenzie's Grille (518-891-2574) in Saranac Lake serves breakfast and lunch
seven days a week, year-round. It's a popular spot for pancakes, hearty
sandwiches and tender steaks.
The Great Adirondack Soup Company in Plattsburgh offers daily kitchen-made
soup, salad and sandwich specials, and vegetarian choices.
Paddlers exploring Lake Champlain or the lakes and rivers of Vermont's
Northeast Kingdom will work up an appetite and need plenty of peaceful
sleep. There are 152 miles of trail to explore in Vermont between Champlain and
the Connecticut River, and a 22-mile section in southern Quebec, Canada.
Where to Sleep:
Relax and refuel in the middle of Champlain at the North Hero House Inn &
Restaurant in the island town of North Hero. Choose a waterview room in one of
four buildings, and enjoy dishes like Great Lakes Walleye
stuffed with spinach, shallots, garlic, artichoke hearts and Swiss cheese.
The Swanton Motel is a short walk from the trail in downtown Swanton. Enjoy
WiFi, a swimming pool, and rooms with air conditioning and a refrigerator.
The Newport City Motel is a short distance from Lake Memphremagog in
Vermont's northernmost city.
Where to Eat:
At Abbey Restaurant & Pub in Enosburg Falls, fill up at the restaurant's salad
and fruit bar, or with one of the pub's big Angus burgers.
Paddling partners can splurge on the seven course Italian dinner at the Lake
Salem Inn, or try the crab stuffed chicken breast.
The NFCT's New Hampshire route is made for river lovers. Nearly all of
the trail's 72 miles through the Granite State flow along the Connecticut, Upper
Ammonoosuc and Androscoggin Rivers. The paddling ranges from lazy currents
to Class III rapids. New Hampshire is ideal for solo canoeists or kayakers
seeking a long distance trip, or for families and groups out for a weekend of
paddling and camping.
Where to Sleep:
The 150 Main Street guest house has two rooms and a suite on the Androscoggin
River in the town of Errol. Prepare your own meals in the guest kitchen.
Cedar Pond Campground in Milan is conveniently located at the midpoint of a
nearly four-mile portage trail between the Androscoggin and Upper
Ammonoosuc. The campground has 32 tenting sites, modern cabins with
bathrooms and full kitchens, and laundry facilities.
The Blueberry Hill Inn & Café in Stratford is a great choice for paddlers traveling
the Connecticut River. Large rooms and three meals available from the café
prepare guests for the second half of their river adventure.
Where to Eat:
Stone's Pizza (603-636-2205) makes fresh dough pies, calzones and pasta dinners
in downtown Groveton.
It's worth the drive for a meal or dessert at Northland Restaurant & Dairy Bar
(603-752-6210) in Berlin. The chowders are popular, as are the many flavors of
Northland's Finest ice cream.
Even the soda is original at the Errol 'Cream Barrel & Chuck Wagon
(603-482-3258). Sip a sarsaparilla or ginger beer soda, and try the hand-cut fires or
onion rings at this fun family restaurant.
Remote streams and ponds, and legendary lakes like Rangeley and Moosehead
mark the 347-mile Maine section of the NFCT. Along the way, there
are plenty of great food choices and accommodations.
Where to Sleep:
The White Wolf Inn in Stratton has comfortable rooms decorated in the "Early
Maine Recycle" style, with views of the Bigelow Mountain Range. The inn is
close to Flagstaff Lake and canoe and kayak rentals.
Park at the dock of The Birches Resort on Moosehead Lake in the town of
Rockwood, and spend a quiet evening in a wilderness yurt, two-person cabin or
a room in the main lodge.
Long distance paddlers will be happy to use the on-site laundry facilities at the
Northern Door Inn in Fort Kent. Great rates and a continental breakfast make the
inn a welcome stay at the NFCT's eastern terminus.
Where to Eat:
Made-from-scratch comfort food is the draw at Bigwood Steakhouse on Big
Wood Pond in Jackman. The menu will please meat-lovers, and offers fish and
salad choices too.
Before spending a day on Mooselookmeguntic Lake or Rangeley Lake, get
fueled at BMC Diner (207-864-5844) on Main St. in Rangeley. Try a big omelet
filled with fresh vegetables or a stack of Maine wild blueberry pancakes.
Great food has always been a staple at the former 1860s lumberman's guest
house now known as the Chesuncook Lake House. Three meals are served daily
featuring organic vegetables from the garden, wild berries, the owner-raised
buffalo and pork, and a variety of fresh baked breads and pastries.
To learn more about dining and accommodations on the Northern Forest Canoe
Trail or call 802-496-2285.
About the Northern Forest Canoe Trail: The Northern Forest Canoe Trail links the
watersheds of northern New York, Vermont, Québec, New Hampshire and Maine, and is a
unique thread tying together the Northern Forest Region. The 740-mile water trail traces
historic Native American travel routes through the rivers of this region, and is a living
reminder our history, where rivers are both highways and routes of communication.
Flowing with the stories of Native Americans, European settlers, and the development of
mill towns and the timber industry, the Trail's rich heritage serves as a basis for widely
accessible, environmentally friendly tourism in many of the small communities along the
route.
See Also: Paddling Home -- A Journey Along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail
| The Heart of New England Celebrating the unique character & culture of Maine ~ New Hampshire ~ Vermont |
| Home ~ Life in New England ~ Recipes ~ Garden ~ Travel ~ B&B/Inns ~ Made in New England ~ Events ~ Marketplace ~ Site Map ~ About/Contact Us |
| ©The Heart of New England online magazine ...celebrating the unique character & culture of Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont! Contact| The Heart of New England HOME | Search Click Here to Get Your FREE Weekly Newsletter Today! |
