Tubing the Saco River is one of the signature summer experiences in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and for good reason. The river runs clear and cool through a landscape of sandy beaches, forested banks, and mountain views, with gentle enough current that virtually anyone can enjoy a float. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the North Conway stretch of the Saco offers trip options for every age and comfort level. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
About the Saco River
The Saco River rises at Saco Lake in Crawford Notch, deep in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and flows 136 miles generally south and southeast through New Hampshire and into southern Maine before emptying into Saco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. It is the third-longest river flowing at least partly through New Hampshire, behind the Connecticut and Androscoggin. From its source at Saco Lake to the Maine border — a distance of roughly 40 miles — the river drops nearly 1,500 feet in elevation. The watershed upstream of the NH/ME border covers approximately 427 square miles, about 80 percent of which lies within White Mountain National Forest.
The tubing stretch near North Conway is a different animal from the fast, rocky upper river. Here the Saco flows at a calm pace — roughly three miles per hour on average — past wide sandbars, swimming holes, and rope swings, with occasional small rapids to keep things interesting. Average depth on the tubing sections runs about three feet, with some deeper pools and short shallow sections depending on the season. There are no lifeguards on the river; it is a natural waterway, not a managed attraction.
Where to Rent Tubes: The Main Outfitters
Three well-established outfitters serve the North Conway tubing corridor. All include shuttle service to return you to your vehicle — you won’t need to arrange a second car or walk back upstream.
Saco Canoe Rental Company / Saco River Tubing Center
Located at 558 White Mountain Highway in Conway, just off NH Route 16, Saco Canoe Rental Company (also known as the Saco River Tubing Center) has been operating on the river for over 30 years. They offer three tubing trip distances:
The 1-mile float is the gentlest option, taking roughly one to three hours depending on water levels. It features sandy beaches and rope swings and is well suited for families with young children, including kids as young as three. Shuttle service runs every fifteen minutes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., making it easy to go twice on a midweek visit.
The Covered Bridge float (approximately 1.5 miles) starts at the company’s private beach and ends at the historic covered bridge in Conway, passing through beaches, rope swings, and one small rapid at the end. Duration is approximately three to five hours. Water shoes are required for this trip; flip-flops are not permitted. Not recommended for seniors or very young children due to the rocky final section at low water.
The longer Redstone trip is a full-day float that starts at the company’s upstream landing and ends at the Saco Canoe Rental location, where your car is parked. It includes three sections of small rapids (when water levels allow) along with beaches and rope swings. Participants should be comfortable swimmers. Due to lower summer water levels, this trip can only be booked five days in advance.
Saco Bound
Saco Bound has been outfitting river trips since 1972 and operates out of a riverside base in Center Conway and North Conway. Their tubing program offers three trip options:
The 3-mile float to Weston’s Beach is their most popular trip and an excellent introduction to the river. The mild current carries tubers past swimming holes and sandbars to Weston’s Beach, a large sandy beach good for picnicking and swimming. Shuttle service runs nearly every hour in season.
The 6.4-mile float to Pig’s Farm is a longer, more relaxed option for those who want to spend the better part of a day on the water. Multiple beaches and swimming spots along the way make it a great family choice.
The Redstone to Saco Bound float-to-your-car option lets you park at Saco Bound and take a shuttle to the upstream Redstone launch, floating back to your vehicle at your own pace. This trip features mostly flat water with one or two short rapids.
The full-day 10.2-mile float is Saco Bound’s longest option, concluding at a private campsite. Saco Bound also offers overnight canoe camping trips for those who want to extend the experience.
Saco River Tubing Center (alternate / additional operator)
A third outfitter also operating under the Saco River Tubing Center name offers covered bridge floats and standard river trips with shuttle service, tubes, life jackets, and dry bag rentals. They are dog-friendly — dogs ride the shuttle for a fee that is donated to the local animal shelter. Check their website for current trip options and pricing.
What to Expect on the Water
The Saco near North Conway is genuinely scenic. The river winds past forested hillsides, white sand beaches, and occasional exposed ledge. On a hot summer day the water temperature is bracingly cool — refreshing rather than cold, and always available for a dip when you need to cool down. The surrounding tree canopy provides some shade in sections, but the river is wide and open in many stretches, meaning direct sun exposure is significant. Without adequate sunscreen, a few hours on the water will result in a serious burn — apply SPF 50 generously and reapply if you swim. A wide-brimmed hat is strongly recommended.
The sandbars are one of the Saco’s best features. They appear regularly throughout the tubing corridor, inviting spontaneous picnic stops, swimming breaks, and beach lounging. The rope swings scattered at various points are popular with teenagers and adventurous adults — note that they are maintained by locals, not by any outfitter, and are inherently risky. Saco Canoe Rental Company specifically notes it does not maintain any rope swings along the river and recommends extreme caution.
Weekends, particularly Saturdays, draw the largest crowds. Sunday through Friday tends to be quieter and more family-oriented. On days when temperatures are forecast above 80°F, popular operators often sell out — book ahead if your visit falls on a warm summer weekend.
What to Bring
Outfitters provide tubes and life jackets, but you’ll want to pack a few things to make the day comfortable. High-SPF waterproof sunscreen is non-negotiable — bring more than you think you need. Water shoes are strongly recommended and required on some trips; sandals with straps work but flip-flops tend to float away. A wide-brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses protect against extended sun exposure. Bring plenty of drinking water and snacks or a packed lunch, since the sandbars invite long stops and no food service exists on the river. A dry bag or waterproof case for your phone and car keys is essential; most outfitters sell or rent dry bags if you don’t have one, and keys can typically be left at the office.
Glass containers of any kind are not permitted on the river. Leave anything you’d be upset to lose or soak — books, electronics without waterproof cases, valuables — in your car.
River Safety and Rules
Life jackets are provided with every rental and are required for all children 12 and under. The river is a natural environment — there are no lifeguards at any point along the tubing corridor. Participants should be comfortable in the water. The Saco draws 3,000 to 7,000 visitors on busy summer weekends, so the river is never truly isolated, but self-sufficiency matters.
All outfitters prohibit glass containers. Littering and dumping any foreign liquids into the river are prohibited and can carry fines. Many beaches along the river are on private land — respect posted boundaries and leave every stop as you found it. Wildlife — including herons, otters, and the occasional deer or moose along the banks — is a genuine highlight of a river day; give animals space and observe quietly.
Check the weather before heading out. A few clouds are fine and often a relief on a hot day. Thunderstorms mean you should leave the river immediately — lightning on open water is a serious hazard. Most outfitters monitor conditions and will adjust launch times accordingly.
Beyond Tubing: More on the Saco River
All three main outfitters also rent kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards for those who prefer a more active day on the water. The same sandbars and scenic sections that make tubing so pleasant also reward paddlers. The upper Saco, from Crawford Notch down through Bartlett, offers more technical whitewater for experienced paddlers — a very different experience from the gentle lower stretch used for tubing.
For more New England outdoor adventures, our Harpers Ferry tubing guide covers another classic mid-Atlantic river float, and our road trip packing list is useful if the Saco is part of a larger White Mountains trip. Campers heading to the region will find our tent camping with toddlers guide helpful — several campgrounds sit right on the Saco River corridor, and a two-night stay opens up morning and evening floats when the weekend crowds have gone home.
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