Kayak rentals on/near Lake Umbagog?

[Taconic]

I'm thinking of taking the GF kayaking for her birthday in July. Umbagog is an area that I've never been able to explore, but seems really nice, so that's the current plan (though I'm open to any suggestions for other possible destinations.)

I've done some searching, but I can't find any info about rentals on the lake. I have found references to them being available (from Parks and Rec?), but haven't found a site with any sort of information/rates/locations/etc.

I'm also looking for a decent place to stay. I'd love to camp (especially on the lake,) but the GF will have none of that. The Town & Country Motor Inn in Gorham looks pretty nice and the mid-week prices aren't bad, but maybe I'm missing something that's equally nice and cheaper.

I thought that maybe some of you would be knowledgeable about these subjects, so I figured I'd ask.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[griffin]

The campground does offer canoe and kayak rental - I don't know if you need to have a site in order to rent. There's also Northern Waters Outfitters in Errol, and I think LL Cotes has rentals as well:
http://www.umbagogchambercommerce.com/business.php#Outfitters

Umbagog is beautiful, especially if you can get up to the Northern parts of the lake.

 

[Stan]

Northern Waters Outfitters in Errol has reasonable rental rates and provides a shuttle service. My only suggestion was that they keep the rudders on the tandems which track poorly and that can be important on Umbagog.

www.beoutside.com

Here's a suggestion for a route. Get an early start and spot your car at "steamboat landing". Have them shuttle you to Wilsons Mills and paddle down the Magalloway, explore the islands at the mouth of that river and the outlet to the Androscoggin, where there's is an eagles nest and roost, and paddle down the Androscoggin to your car. The Magalloway and the Androscoggin meet up at the same place on Umbagog. We did that route but explored some of the tributeries to the river and stayed in Wentworth Location, leaving our boats at the landing across the road from our cabin which is about halfway down the Magalloway, Magallaway River Inn Cottages www.magriverinn.com , then camping at one of the remote sites on Umbagog.

I'd suggest one of the remote campsites on the Lake rather than the campground. For more information see www.nhstateparks.org

 

[peakbagger]

The drive from Gorham to Errol is a pretty one but it takes longer than it looks as you have to drive through Berlin. Unfortunately if you want a standard motel, Gorham is about as close as you can get. The Royalty Inn in Gorham is a better option than the Town and Country as there are several good restaurants a quick walk from the Royalty. If you want to splurge check out Libbys Bistro but be aware its pricey (but very good) If you stay at the the Town and Country you will probably want to drive into Gorham. Town and Country also gets a lot of charter groups and motorcycle clubs so it can be noisy. The Saint Lawrence and Atlantic railroad goes through town at least once a night and it can be noisy at either place, but the Royalty may be a bit better. Most of the other hotels on the Gorham strip are real close to the tracks and the train sounds its horn almost continuously until it leaves town.

If you do the Magolloway, I would suggest putting in at the upper boat launch north of the campground rather than the steep boat launch at the first bridge. This upper section is quick water with occasional strainers but is a lot of fun. As you approach Umbagog the current slows down substantially.

 

[sardog1]

Sooner or later a couple of the folks here with longer experience of Umbagog than I have will come along and eddicate you. Meanwhile, here's a link to some Umbagog porn posted by darren last fall to keep you occupied while you wait. (BTW -- from his pictures, it looks like his party was camped on the very same point we were on earlier last year.)

 

[Fisher Cat]

Will vouch for Northern Waters Outfitters, we used them 2 years ago when I took my nephew and niece for their first time kayaking. Enjoyed it very much!

 

[Taconic]

Great info. Thanks.
And those pictures make me more anxious about going.

How bad will the blackflies be around the lake in the last week of July? Any time I've spent in NH in July has been at high elevation, so I've never had much trouble with them.

 

[sardog1]

Black flies will probably be gone by then. Mosquitoes (and maybe deer flies by then?) will be an issue. We were there the second week of June last year and there were no black flies at that time, but lots of mosquitoes until the evening chill chilled them out.

 

[Andrew]

You can rent kayaks at the SP without having a campsite rented.

By the way- the Leonard Pond Eagles (junction of Magalloway/Androscoggin Rivers), after fulfilling thier former role of being the only nesting pair in NH, have packed up and moved to ME. Another pair nested just a bit south on the Andro from there.