About Saco Bound
Saco Bound has been the gateway to paddling on the Saco River since 1972, operating from their riverside base camp on Route 302 in Center Conway — just a few minutes east of North Conway village. As the original canoe and kayak livery on the Saco, they have over five decades of experience helping visitors explore one of New England's most beloved recreational rivers. The put-in is right at the facility, so there is no bus shuttle to deal with; you load your boat, push off from the sandy bank, and you are on the water immediately.
Rentals include canoes, single and tandem kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and inflatable tubes. Multi-day canoe camping trips are a Saco Bound specialty — they help you plan a route, rent waterproof gear bags, and arrange pickup at a downstream take-out, letting you paddle through miles of sandy-bottomed river flanked by white pines and birch groves. Day trips range from mellow two-hour floats perfect for families with young kids to longer full-day paddles that cover more remote stretches. Tubing is wildly popular on hot summer days, with gentle Class I current carrying riders through a shady corridor of riverbank forest.
Saco Bound's longevity speaks to the quality of the experience. The staff know every sandbar, swimming hole, and campsite on the river, and they match trip recommendations to your group's ability and time. Facilities at the base camp include changing rooms, a picnic area, and parking. For anyone visiting the Mount Washington Valley who wants a quintessential New England river day — whether that is a leisurely paddle, a tubing float, or a multi-night canoe camping adventure — Saco Bound is the outfitter that started it all.
