Boating & Kayak Rentals

At Pawtuckaway State Park you can rent a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard for $20 an hour, $50 for a half day or $85 for a full day, or launch your own canoe or kayak at the park's public launch. Rentals are first come, first served at the park; you need a driver's license, and life vests and paddles come with the boat. The campground's own boat launch is for registered campers only.

Renting a Canoe, Kayak or Paddleboard

The park store rents canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Pawtuckaway does not rent pedal boats or rowboats. Rentals can't be reserved: they go first come, first served at the park, so on a summer weekend get there early.

• $20 per hour
• $50 for a half day, a 4-hour slot
• $85 for a full day, which can be the second half of one day and return the next
• $75 per day for multiple days, $200 for 5 days, $250 for 7 days

Life vests and oars or paddles are provided. You must show a driver's license to rent. NH State Parks gift cards can be used for boat rentals.

Launching Your Own Boat

NH State Parks lists a public canoe and kayak launch at the park and a boat ramp among the park's amenities. The campground map marks a separate boat launch near Horse Island for registered campers only, and a boat corral at Neals Cove. An April 2025 public notice about Burnhams Dike, posted by NH State Parks, also refers to a boat ramp and channel at Fundy Cove, an arm of the lake below the marsh.

If you're bringing a trailered boat, call the park office at (603) 895-3031 before you go to ask which ramp to use and what it costs. NH State Parks doesn't publish ramp details for Pawtuckaway on its park page.

Where to Paddle

Pawtuckaway Lake covers 900 acres, and NH State Parks' video tour describes it as a big lake with plenty of islands and coves to explore. Paddle along Big Island and Horse Island, where the campground sits, or into Fundy Cove toward Burnham's Marsh, where NH State Parks says beavers, deer and great blue herons are most active early and late in the day. More about the water: Pawtuckaway Lake.

Before You Get in the Boat

• Pay the day-use fee at the park entrance. On busy days, a beach pass booked ahead holds a parking space.
• Check the NHDES Healthy Swimming map for cyanobacteria advisories.
• Wear the life vest the rental comes with.
• Pack out your trash. Pawtuckaway is a carry in, carry out park.

Good For

• Beginners: no booking, no gear to bring, vests included.
• Campers. The campground has its own launch for registered campers.
• Anglers in a canoe; see fishing.

Maybe Skip If

• You want to reserve a rental for a set time. Pawtuckaway rentals are walk-up only.
• You want a pedal boat. Try another NH state park; Pawtuckaway doesn't rent them.