Saco River Tips & Keys
The Saco River from Saco Bound to Swans Falls is the best section of river for novice paddlers and tubing because of its special characteristics along this segment. It has the most reliable flow, even during the summer months with a gentle current and miles of sandy beaches. There are almost no obstacles like rocks and fallen trees. The water is crystal clear with a nice sandy bottom. Recreation and camping is allowed on sandbars and beaches unless posted.
Today:
| Water Temp | Level | Height | CFS | Notes |
| 44 | Medium | 4′ | 1430 | Use caution. Water still Cold. Fire Danger High too. |
Saco River Conditions Guide – from Redstone/Saco Bound, NH through Fryeburg, Maine
| Level | Low | Summer | Medium | High | Very High |
| Cubic Feet Per Second | Below 100 CFS | 100 to 1,200 CFS | 1,200 to 3,000 CFS | 3,000 to 4,00 CFS | Over 4,000 CFS |
| Appx Paddle Times (canoes & kayaks) | 1 to 2 MPH Max | 2 to 3 MPH | 3 to 4 MPH | 4 MPH + | |
| Appx Float Times (tubes) | Less than 1 MPH | Around 1 or 2 MPH | |||
| Conditions | Slow conditions. May hit bottom or some waking. Still mostly passable, however. | Many beaches and easy paddling conditions. Great for Tubing! Most typical in July & August. | Good for canoe & kayaks. Too fast for Tubing. Swimming skills necessary. Use extra caution with young kids. | Swift current, experience necessary. Not rerecorded for kids or non-swimmers. | Very Dangerous Conditions |
Please Respect Nature & Leave NO Trace
Wear your PDF • Know Before You Go • Use This Report Only as a Guide • River Conditions Can Change • Respect Other River Users
Saco River Tubing Report
Saco River Tubing trips haven’t started yet for the season as it’s too cold right now. A good, general rule of thumb is the rule of 120. It’s normally comfortable for most people to tube the river when the water temperature combined with the air temp is above 120 degrees. Usually, conditions like this start in late May or so.
Why Saco Bound has the best tubing…
Saco Bound operates on a section of river that perfect for tubing and river tube trips. It’s hard to steer a tube. So, obstacles like rocks and trees can be a problem. Our section of the Saco has very few obstacles, especially our 3 mile trip from Saco Bound, Putin #1 to Weston’s beach. This section also “holds” water better and has a reliable flow when the river is at its lowest. Safety, professional service and private, riverside properties further enhance the experience. So, come tubing with us!