Nature Paddling Tours

Our tours are kept small so we maximize our enjoyment and minimize our impact on the environment. Prices include the use of our boats, paddles, and personal flotation devices. (You may use your own equipment if you prefer.) Our guides are naturalists as well as American Canoe Association certified instructors who are there to share their knowledge of the river and help you with your paddling, if you need it. Tours are geared for beginner/intermediate paddlers and are very relaxed with the objective of observing and enjoying the nature around us.

TO REGISTER, complete the Tour & Instruction Registration/ Liability Release Form and mail with payment.

Morning Wildlife on the Nashua
MAY 7 (9am-noon)
Spring is a very busy time for wildlife on the river. Enjoy a guided tour of a lovely section of one of our local rivers with one of our knowledgeable guide/naturalists. Sightings have included swans, muskrats, mink, herons, osprey, migrating warblers, and many more. Of course there are no guarantees of what we will see, but having a guide who is very familiar with this area, we’ll have a good chance and a lot of fun exploring! Basic paddling and safety will be covered. Boats, paddles, and PFD’s are included.
Trip difficulty: Easy, flat-water, 4-5 miles roundtrip.
Cost: ($32pp-canoe, $52pp-kayak) REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Evening Paddle on the Squannacook
JUNE 25, (5:30-8:30pm)
An evening paddle on the river is a special experience that you won’t soon forget. Enjoy a guided tour of a lovely section of one of our local rivers, home to many species of wildlife. Sightings have included beaver, mink, herons, osprey, wood ducks, and many more. Our experienced guide/naturalists are very familiar with this area and truly enjoy sharing their knowledge of its recent animal activity, natural history and human history. We’ll stop along the river for a light dinner break. Bring your own food or we’ll provide a delicious box dinner from Clover Farm Market for an additional fee. Basic paddling and safety will be covered. Boats, paddles, and PFD’s are included.
Trip difficulty: Easy, flat-water, 4 miles roundtrip.
Cost: ($32pp-canoe, $52pp-kayak, Box dinner available for an additional cost or pack your own) REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Full Moon Canoeing
JULY 16, (7:30-10:30pm)
Set out by canoe at dusk. As the darkness approaches, watch the moon rise, following its ribbon of light as we paddle. Perhaps we’ll catch a glimpse of an owl or a night hawk or a beaver. We’ll stop for refreshments, looking out over the water, listening to the night sounds, enjoying this memorable experience together. Basic paddling and safety will be covered. Boats, paddles, and PFD’s are included.
Trip difficulty: Easy, flat-water, 5 miles roundtrip.
Cost: ($37pp- canoes only. Refreshments included) REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Family Paddling with Turtles
AUGUST 20, (10am-1pm)
Enjoy a leisurely guided tour along the river and into a pond area filled with turtles. Sightings have included painted turtles, snapping turtles, musk turtles, and other wildlife. Our experienced guide/naturalists are very familiar with this area and enjoy sharing their knowledge of its recent animal activity. A light snack and some tools to enhance our learning will be provided. We’ll stop along the river for a lunch break. Bring your own food or we’ll provide a delicious box lunch from Clover Farm Market for an additional cost. Basic paddling and safety will be covered. Boats, paddles, and PFD’s are included.
Trip difficulty: Easy, flat water, 3 miles roundtrip, ALL AGES.
Cost: ($64 per canoe- canoes only. All ages. Box lunch available for an additional cost or pack your own) REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Family Fishing by Canoe
SEPTEMBER 10, (7- 10am)
Enjoy the fun of learning how to fish from a canoe. Our guides know the best spots to catch bass, pickerel, sunfish, and maybe even some pond weeds. Come back with some great fish stories! Basic paddling and safety will be covered. Boats, paddles, and PFD’s are included. Bring your own fishing gear. Mass. fishing licenses required for fishermen 15 yrs. and over.
Trip difficulty:Easy, flat-water, 2-4 miles roundtrip.
Cost: ($32pp- canoes only. Ages 8+. Bring your own fishing gear.) REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Fall Foliage Paddle
OCTOBER 8, (11am-2pm)
The Squannacook River is the gem of the Nashua River Watershed. Its narrow, twisting passage meanders through areas of lily ponds and woodlands. The reflections of autumn foliage enhance the special beauty of this river.
Trip difficulty: Easy, flat-water, 4 miles roundtrip.
Cost: ($32pp-canoe, $52pp-kayak. All ages. Box lunch available for an additional cost or pack your own) REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Birthday Parties!

A birthday party on the river is fun for any age! Choose an activity option that will make a great birthday celebration suited just for you. If you'd like some active fun we have loads of paddling games up our sleeves. If you like exploring, consider a scavenger hunt or an adventure on a seldom-paddled section of the river. If you're an artist or enjoy crafts, we have several choices for you. If you'd like one of our nature tours customized for your group, let us know! Birthday cake is optional or bring your own. Call us for details!

Custom Guided Tours

Families, friends, companies, clubs, groups, youth groups! If you have at least 5 boats, we'll arrange a special guided tour for you on the Nashua or Squannacook Rivers. Choose from one of the nature tours listed above or we'll customize something for your group. Call us for details! We have some interesting group rental options if you prefer to head out on your own.

Nashoba Paddler, LLC
978-448-8699
diane@nashobapaddler.com
LOCATION: 398 West Main St. (Rt. 225), Groton, Ma
MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 228, West Groton, Ma 01472