Mad river canoes and canoeing in Vermont

August 12, 2008 | Posted by admin

So how is everyone’s summer going? It will not be long before it starts to get cooler, but right now it’s beautiful. If fact it’s a great time for exploring all of Vermont’s rivers, lakes and streams with canoes. Vermont has many rivers and streams that are perfect for a canoe ride. I’ve owned several of them.

There are many outdoor tour companies that take groups of people out on canoe trips down rivers and streams. Often these companies offer biking, hiking, mountain climbing and canoeing. More on these later. Vermont was home to one of the first and popular canoe companies, Mad River Canoe.

They still make some of the best canoes in the world, but they moved their factories to South Carolina. I’ve owned several of these, and I can tell you they are great. If you ever buy a canoe, I highly recommend getting a mad river canoe. Besides the many rivers and streams, Vermont has many small ponds and marshes that also are perfect for canoeing.

People that are bird watchers can get real close to herons and other aquatic birds with a canoe. Duck hunters of course often use canoes to get to their duck blinds. Vermont fishermen can get to places no one else can to catch that big one with a silent canoe. Canoes are a real part of Vermont, just like ATV’s.

Yes even maple sugar makers like me use them. Some of them have ponds and swamps around the woods where they tap maple trees. So sometimes canoeing down them they can see good places to put taps in so they can harvest that pure Vermont maple syrup. Canoes as you can see are more than just recreation boats.

However they are very popular with tourist, and a great, fun way to see Vermont up close and go places most never see. As I said earlier, there are dozen of Vermont outdoor companies that take tourist on fun canoe trips, from an hour to a full day. You can even get a package deal where you spend several days hiking, canoeing and biking.

Below are a few links to some of the Vermont outdoor companies that give canoeing trips. Call around and see what one seems to best fit your needs. Some just give a few hours trip, while others offer week long package deals where they put you up for the night and everything. So come up to Vermont and try a fun canoe trip, and be sure to take back some pure Vermont maple syrup!

Vermont outdoor canoe companies

Batten Kill Canoe Ltd.
6328 Historic Rt 7A, Arlington, VT 05250
Phone 800-421-5268 or 802-362-2800 Fax 802-362-0159
Email: canoe@battenkill.com
Web: www.battenkill.com
Professional and dynamic travel organization that operates distinctive canoe and hiking trips for individuals, groups and families. Comfortable inns, guided day trips, canoe rentals, and trips offered around the world.

Bert’s Boats
73 Smugglers View Road, Jeffersonville, VT. 05464
Phone: 802-644-8189
Email: tours@bertsboats.com
Web: http://www.bertsboats.com/
Bert’s Boats, the areas first canoe and kayak tour business, and now the best! Paddle in the heart of Vermont’s beautiful Green Mountains.

Clearwater Sports
Route 100, Waitsfield, VT 05673
Phone 802-496-2708 Fax 802-496-2317
Email: clearwatersport@madriver.com
Web: www.clearwatersports.com
Come Canoe the Mad River Valley! Scenic views, guided day trips, family and group trips, team building, River clinics, canoe and kayak rentals, shuttle service, guided mountain biking and hiking trips, extreme sledding , camping gear and full service retail outlet.

Green River Canoe & Kayak
1073 Junction Hill Rd, Jeffersonville, VT. 05464
Phone: 802-644-8336 Toll Free: 800-347-8266
Email: vtcabins@verizon.net
Web: www.sterlingridgeresort.com/canoe.htm
Enjoy guided canoe trips for 2 1/2 to 4 hours, extend your trip for picnics, swimming or fishing options. We also offer an exclusive guided canoe trip to Boyden Valley Winery for a wine tasting and tour, Tuesdays through Sunday. Canoe and kayak rentals are available with shuttle backup. Groups are welcome and alternative times and customized tours can be arranged. Serving the public for over seven years.

Categories: Fishing & Hunting, Recreation, Vermont Life | Tags: canoe, canoeing, mad river canoe, Vermont canoe trips, Vermont canoeing, Vermont outdoor companies | No Comments »