Batten Kill River
Flatwater to Class II More than just a pretty trout streat, this tributary of the Hudson River can frequently be run throughout the summer. The town of Arlington makes for a good put-in. From there you get a good 20-mile run to Shushan, New York (OK, not Vermont, but not exactly a foreign country). Along the way the river is stimulating but never hair-raising: expect quickwater to Class I rapids. The river will take you out of the Vermont Valley through a breach in the Taconic Range. Special bonus: you'll pass under four covered bridges.
Otter Creek
Flatwater to Class II This is the longest river in Vermont and one of the few rivers in New England that flows northward for its entire lengh. A whopping 80 miles of Otter Creek are regularly runnable, from South Wallingford all the way to rivers-end at Lake Champlain. The scenery tends to rural Vermont, with good views of the Green Mountains. The Lemon Fair feeds into lower Otter Creek.
Lemon Fair
Quickwater A wonderful little river for wildlife lovers. You can put in at West Cornwall and ride the river to its confluence with Otter Creek, a trip of about 12 miles, and then on for another 18 miles to Lake Champlain. The river bottom is clay, making for a rich, turgid flow. You can count on seeing many turtles, birds, animals and jumping fish. This is one river where you'll really appreciate the stealthy quiet of your paddlecraft.
Winooski River
Class II or portage There is something fitting about the fact that this run starts out in Montpelier, Vermont's state capital. From there its 58 miles to Lake Champlain. This river is celebrated for its deep-walled gorges. A trip down this river can be kind of jumpy, with several portages around dams, waterfalls and the Winooski Gorge. But what you get for your efforts is a river with a lot of personality, with stunning views of both the bucolic and wild side of Vermont.
Lamoille River
From flatwater to Class III Another one of the big three rivers that cut through the Green Mountains and flow into Lake Champlain. The town of Johnson is a good place to begin for a 47 mile trip to Lake Champlain. This is an eventful trip that passes through the second deepest trench in the Green Mountain range, some runnable rapids, and a pleasant, island-studded lake. The Lamoille is also a classic trout stream and has earned a reputation as one of Vermont's premier fishing spots.Missisquoi River
Flatwater to Class II You can put in at North Troy for a 69 mile trip that eventually takes you through the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge before you hit Lake Champlain. Along the way you'll cross into Canada (this is one of Vermont's northernmost rivers). All in all, the river has a nice rhythm of flatwater, rapids, and do-able carries.
Connecticut River
Flatwater to Class II One of the country's great canoeing rivers. Although technically in New Hampshire (the state boundary is fixed on the low water mark on the Vermont shore), you would have to be a terminal quibbler not to include this on a list of Vermont paddling rivers. The river flows through the heart of old logging country, and many of the dams you'll encounter on various stretches are evidence of that era. There are several good trips along the Connecticut: a 70 mile trip between West Stewartstown and Gilman Dam, or a 44 mile trip between Cornerford Dam and Orford are just two possible ones. The Sylvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge is dedicated to the preservation of the Connecticut River: a trip to its headquarters in Turner Falls, Massachusetts is well worth the while of paddlers who want to learn about the river.
White River
Quickwater to Class II This is a demanding river that is not reliably runnable. But when it is, it makes for an engaging trip that will really test your skills. All in all, the White is best described as rocky with a quick current. The White used to be a main Indian route between lower New England and Montreal, but as a walking trail, not a canoe route.
from Away.com
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