Good paddling rivers include the Battenkill in southwest Vermont, the Lamoille near Jeffersonville, the Winooski near Waterbury, and the Missisquoi from Highgate Center to Swanton Dam. The whole of the historic Connecticut River, while frequently interrupted by dams, offers uncommonly scenic paddling through rural farmlands. Especially beautiful is a 7-mile stretch between Moore and Comerford dams near Waterford. Rentals are easy to come by near Vermont's major waterways; just check the local Yellow Pages.
For inn-to-inn canoe-touring packages (2-6 days), contact BattenKill Canoe Ltd., Route 7A, Arlington, VT 05250 (tel. 800/421-5268 or 802/362-2800; www.battenkill.com).
The Upper Valley Land Trust, 19 Buck Rd., Hanover, NH 03755 (tel. 603/643-6626; www.uvlt.org), oversees a network of primitive campsites along the Connecticut River; canoeists can paddle and portage its length and camp along the riverbanks. Two of the campsites are accessible by car. Call for a brochure or visit the group's website at www.uvlt.org.
A helpful general guide is Roioli Schweiker's Canoe Camping Vermont & New Hampshire Rivers, published by Countryman Press (1999, $15.95).
