Saco River Canoe Rentals

Had a great time on the river with family. Water levels were lower than anticipated so got stuck a few times but all part of the experience. Could have used a little more guidance from staff on process to get PFD's and tubes after check-in but all in all a great day and would recommend to others.

What can go wrong with a canoe rental you ask me? Well, how about if you book a trip about a month in advance, take time off work, drive for 3 hrs to NH / ME border and then get a call when you're at the door step. The person on the phone informers you that they can not set you out on the river, cause the river levels are too high. I can respect that they are just looking out for a our safety, but if there's a will there's a way.

After a back and forth and me telling them that i know for a fact that Maine is letting people on the river, they apologized and offered to refund us the money. When I called a bit later to confirm the cancellation, the curious woman on the phone (Amy) asked where we managed to get another rental and where we were setting out from. I told her (River Run, ME / Brownsfield bridge), where in response she all of the sudden informs me that OH but of course from there yes, they could have driven us there as well. That's great lady, but after we just spent an hour driving a round in the middle of no where NH / ME looking for one boat place then another in the 100 degree heat, It would have REALLY helped to know that you could have driven us there earlier. Thanks, but I don't think I'll be coming back for the great customer service any time soon.


All this for a nice relaxing trip down the Saco River...

As stated in an other review when we went, we were dropped of at the launch site and abandoned.They staff knew we had never done this before. I was myself,my mom and my 8 year old.

Having never done this before it was very clumsy getting in, the water was very low in some areas, low as in mere inches. You had to get out and carry your tube.
The river was fairly slow on this day, so many times we were just floating in one spot and had to use our hands to paddle (we had a two seated tube and a one seat tube that was tethered together), we didn't know we could have gotten a paddle to use, no one asked or recommended, Again, this was after we were asked if we had ever been here before.

WE were not warned of large rocks and sharp sticks in the middle of the water and this is where the current was, so you are moving fairly fast into this with no way to avoid it and you bum hanging thru the hole in the bottom of the tube.

At one point we were sent fast into the bank of the river right into a very sharp bunch of sticks, i leaned over to my right to cover my daughter from getting stabbed thinking that i would just take the hit, but as this happen my moms tube flipped knocking her and my daughter in and under the water with the tube on top of them. I have never seen my kid that scared.

There was no sign as we were told to look for at the end. I curves around and then to the right is were the kayaks go and the long trip tubers go and that's where the current is, so you have to keep out of the current and manage to get into the "still" water that is pitch black and is very deep, deeper that any other part of the trip. There is no one there to help you as we were told, he was up at the top of the stairs. My mom kept floating away and couldn't get to the tiny dock, I was going to try and toss her the life save ring so I could pull her in, but that couldnt be done, the rope attached was so knotted up it only had about 5 usable feet. Eventually when another tuber made their way over her swam over and helped her back.

So here is my advise, don't go unless you can swim (this was suppose to be an activity that had shallow water of no more than 4 feet) or wear a life vest, ASK for a paddle, If you plan on drinking (you are allowed to take food a beverage) don't drink so much that you cant pay attention, or you may get a stick up your ass and of course pay attention even if you aren't drinking. Be prepared to have to pull or carry tube thru parts of the river. Watch for rocks, sticks, trees, etc in the water and along the banks. Becareful.

I have mixed emotions about this company. This was my first time river tubing, so I can't compare its customer service or river experience to anyone else.

I called on the Thursday before Labor day weekend, and a patient and helpful gentlemen answered my deluge of questions. I asked about refunds, timelines, weather, etc. As my group was undecided, we waited to make our reservation on Saturday (for Sunday), and didn't have a problem getting one. Yay!

Showing up Sunday was an irksome experience. The staff was lazy and helped up only at the most bare minimum requirements. The parking lot is a cluster ****. Cars trying to arrive and leave all from a one way drive. By noon, our arrival time, we were the last car in before the lot was full - not that anyone communicated that to the line of cars trying to get down the driveway... stressful. This is the same drive that the shuttle bus is TRYING to DRIVE UP.

The man who took our tubing ticket was brisk, but otherwise we got on the bus no problem with a minimal wait. We were delivered to the drop off point and then pretty much abandoned. The float was fun, though no one at the rental shop explains anything about hitting rocks, sharp sticks (above and BELOW the water), or any other safety guidelines. Seriously, guard your tushy from sticks!

The sign at the end of the river is a joke; you could easily miss it. And although we were told someone would be on the dock to help us with our tubes, no one was. When I called to a man at the top of the stairs and asked if we should carry our tubes up ourselves, he responded, "Well, it's either that or I bring the huge pile of tubes already up here down to you." Okay, ***hole, way to lose my business.

Bottom line, see if you can find another company with better ratings. If not, this rental shop will do, but you'll be clenching your teeth at all times when you're not on the river enjoying a float.

We had a great float down the Saco! The staff made it really easy to make a reservation and it was only $20 a person which I thought was a good deal. My only complaint is that we had a really slow day on the river so we got kind of stuck at some points because there wasn't enough current, but obviously the company can't control that and they did warn us. We had a great time!

Amazing rental place! Michael who spoke to us on the phone was extremely knowledgeable and professional and when we came to the store to purchase some used kayak's they gave us the deal of the century, and Actually took the time to go out and make sure that our new purchase was safely strapped to our roof and Even went out of their way to assist us in installing our newly purchased roof rack that we didn't even buy there. The only thing that went wrong was one of the used kayaks did have some slight damage that we discovered the next day but when we called them up they surprised us yet again and told us to come right in and they let us swap it out for another one basically just like it for no charge no questions asked and we were surprised that it was actually used, because it looked brand new. I am sure they are just as professional doing rentals, but we are so thrilled with the experience buying used from them we would recommend them to anybody

For you out-of-towners promptness is key at Saco River Canoe Rentals. We ran into some traffic on our trip from boston and thus were a half hour late for the a 1 o'clock tubing trip and were told there were no other shuttles and that we were out of luck, despite the fact that that all they had to do was drive us three miles up the river. What is that a five minute drive? Seems a bit silly if you ask me. You must arrive a half hour before your trip leaves. You also must make a reservation. Luckily there was a shorter trip where you could float down the river for an hour and then walk back so we did that. Drinking is perfectly accepatable and they even rent out floating coolers. The people are very nice and the river was beautiful.

The river is beautiful and great for tubing. This rental company gives no direction for when to exit the river (luckily there is a sign). Had to wait 20 minutes for a shuttle pickup. Parking is difficult. Make sure you are eaerly for the shutte.

I thought it was great. The staff was focused and efficient in conway. I will use them next year. Show up a half hour early and the wait is quick.

Just returned from a week in the North Conway area and we used the services of Saco Canoe Rental Company twice. We rented 6 kayaks for use at a local lake one day and spent a few hours tubing the Saco on another. We have rented from them in the past and find the experience to to be stress free and super convenient. They provide great services at affordable prices to enhance your vacation. We will definitely call on them again (hopefully soon).