A Long & Winding River


What we call the Saco River is over 170+ miles long and starts as a small pond in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Willey Pond Dam in the headwaters of the Saco River.
Crawford Notch, NH


The Saco River is many things to many people along its route:

  • A paddle destination for kayaks, canoes, and river tubes
  • A frequent fishing destination
  • A drinking water supply for homes & businesses
  • And of course, it's an amazing habitat for fish, birds, and wildlife of all kinds
A covered bridge on the New Hampshire stretch of the Saco River.


The Saco River winds its way through roughly 30 cities and towns on its way to the Atlantic Ocean, but there are only 17 points to cross the river in Maine.

Pine St. bridge from Biddeford into Saco.


While many stretches of the Saco River feel remote and wild — it is not a free-flowing river.


There are 2 dams at sections of the river in New Hampshire, and 11 dams across the river in Maine.


The Maine dams are primarily licensed hydroelectric operations that generate power from the Saco River's flowing waters.

The Cataract East Hydropower Dam.


Public access to the river can be found at town-owned boat launches along the river, as well as some carry-in access points at road crossings.


Biddeford has two public boat launches:

  1. Vines Landing in Biddeford Pool.
  2. Marblehead Boat Launch off Pool St.


Saco has three public boat launches:

  1. Camp Ellis Boat Launch near the jetty.
  2. Front St. boat launch, along this tour route.
  3. Diamond Riverside Park boat launch.


The Marblehead boat launch in Biddeford.