New Hampshire whitewater, Contoocook River Hillsborough county, Jaffrey to Peterborough section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II     5 miles   Tried to paddle this in a canoe with relatively high water but was too shallow and rocky. Better off with a kayak. Says Mike Quinn The beautiful scenery of New Hampshire and the playfulness of the water are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. The Jaffrey to Peterborough stretch of Contoocook River in New Hampshire is 5 miles long and is a class II section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. Getting some good     exercise and a chance to spend some time outdoors are great attractions for lots of people. The starting location is a short drive from Keene, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. The Jaffrey to Peterborough section is one of many paddling sections in this river system. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking in this general area you'll find lots of paddling places. This stretch has has enough mileage, good for a one day paddling trip. The average New Hampshire whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be a bit harder to master than those in other states, so better not forget that a lot of the rivers here are not suitable   for beginners. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. Briefly about the general area: A day at picturesque Picnickers Beach next to Contoocook River is a great thing to do. The friendly folks of Peterborough like to hang out close by, and do take a hike on the Harling Trail. This is a great river. Really fine skiing awaits you at Crotched Mountain; Monadnock State Park is both glorious and pretty. Campers Beach is in the neighborhood of Contoocook River and is a picturesque beach to stop by, and Contoocook River is near Miller State Park which is a delightful place. Contoocook River, Jaffrey to Peterborough road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Contoocook River.   Whitewater Near Contoocook River: Contoocook River, Hillsborough County, 3 miles away       Class II - 5 miles long (Jaffrey to Peterborough) Stony Brook, Hillsborough County, 10 miles away       Class III-IV - 1.25 miles long (Route 31 to Wilton) Contoocook River - North Branch, Hillsborough County, 12 miles away       Class V - 6 miles long (Route 9 and 123 to Hillsboro Fire Station) Souhegan River, Hillsborough County, 14 miles away       Class II-III - 5.75 miles long (Greenville to New Hampshire Route 101) Ashuelot River - South Branch, Cheshire County, 14 miles away       Class III-IV - 2.3 miles long (Troy to Webb) Minnewawa River, Cheshire County, 15 miles away       Class II-IV - 4.5 miles long (Marlborough recycling center to Otter Brook) Millers River, Worcester County, 16 miles away       Class II-III - 7 miles long (South Royalston to Athol) Souhegan River, Hillsborough County, 16 miles away       Class III - 1.25 miles long (NH Route 101 Bridge to Wilton) Otter Brook, Cheshire County, 16 miles away       Class III-IV - 3.2 miles long (East Sullivan to Otterbrook Park) Contoocook River, Hillsborough County, 18 miles away       Class III-IV - 3 miles long (Hillsborough to Henniker)   Ski Areas Near Contoocook River: Crotched Mountain, New Hampshire , 11 miles away, 875 foot drop, 5 lifts, 23 runs Wachusett Mountain, Massachusetts , 19 miles away, 1000 foot drop, 6 lifts, 20 runs Pats Peak, New Hampshire , 21 miles away, 710 foot drop, 8 lifts, 21 runs Pine Ridge, Massachusetts , 24 miles away, 200 foot drop, 1 lifts, 8 runs Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire , 26 miles away, 1510 foot drop, 10 lifts, 62 runs Ragged Mountain, New Hampshire , 34 miles away, 1250 foot drop, 5 lifts, 45 runs McIntyre, New Hampshire , 38 miles away, 300 foot drop, 5 lifts, 11 runs Whaleback, New Hampshire , 41 miles away, 700 foot drop, 7 lifts, 28 runs Living Memorial Park, Vermont , 42 miles away, 204 foot drop, 1 lifts, 1 runs Ascutney, Vermont , 46 miles away, 1800 foot drop, 6 lifts, 57 runs   Beaches Near Contoocook River: Picnickers Beach, Hillsborough , 8 miles away Campers Beach, Hillsborough , 9 miles away   Hotels Near Contoocook River: Jack Daniels Motor Inn, Peterborough , 3 miles away Monadnock Inn, Jaffrey , 5 miles away Maplehurst Inn, Antrim , 10 miles away Super 8 Gardner, Gardner , 14 miles away The Colonial Hotel, Gardner , 14 miles away   Campgrounds Near Contoocook River: Woodmore Campground, Rindge, 2 miles away Emerald Acres, Jaffrey, 2 miles away Monadnock State Park Campground, Cheshire County, 5 miles away   Trails Near Contoocook River: Parker Trail, Cheshire , 6 miles away Harling Trail, Cheshire , 7 miles away Wapack Trail, Hillsborough , 7 miles away Pumpelly Trail, Cheshire , 8 miles away Cascade Link Trail, Cheshire , 8 miles away   Public Lands Near Contoocook River: Quinebaug & Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, Putnam - CT , 48 miles away Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Woonsocket - RI , 54 miles away Monadnock State Park, New Hampshire , 7 miles away Miller State Park, New Hampshire , 8 miles away Otter River State Forest, Massachusetts , 12 miles away   Golf Courses Near Contoocook River: Monadnock Country Club, Peterborough , 3 miles away Woodbound Lodge, Rindge , 3 miles away Shattuck Golf Course, Jaffrey , 5 miles away   Lakes Near Contoocook River Contoocook Lake, Cheshire , 4 miles away Lake Monomonac, Cheshire , 6 miles away Nubanusit Lake, Cheshire , 7 miles away