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Canoeing the Saco River

While the upper reaches of the Saco River around Fryeburg are well known and heavily used by canoeists and kayakers, the section of this great river that passes through Biddeford and Saco is just as beautiful and much more lightly used. There are many sections on this stretch where you can experience some of the solitude and wonder felt by the earliest explorers of this country.

In addition, this part of the Saco offers paddlers the opportunity for several different boating experiences ranging from an almost lake-like experience (launching at Skelton Dam and traveling upriver), a more classical river experience (launching below the Dam and paddling downstream), or launching in the tidal waters below Cataract Falls and making your way to the Atlantic Ocean.

Skelton Dam: upstream
This is a Florida Power and Light hydroelectric plant in Dayton, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Saco. Above the dam, FPL maintains a boat launch suitable for canoes, kayaks and small motorboats on trailers. The expanse of river backed up behind the dam provides a lake or pond-like paddling experience, but one with plenty of nooks and crannies in which one might poke their bow or cast a line for perch and bass.

Click to enlarge Skelton Dam: Upstream & Downstream Directions to put in: From downtown Saco, go north on Main to the traffic light and turn left onto North St. (Rt 5 and 112). Follow the 5 North signs, turning left onto Spring St and right onto Bradley. Continue 6.1 miles and turn right on Hollis Rd.Travel 2.2 miles and turn right onto Union Falls Rd. Go another 0.5 miles and the parking area for Skelton Dam will be in front of you on the left. Skelton Dam: downstream Follow the directions above to the dam. The downstream put in is on a dirt road leading to the right, just before the parking lot. The gate is open on weekends and by special arrangement with Florida Power and Light.

Skelton Dam: downstream
Canoeists and kayakers also have the option of launching below the dam. Upon approaching the dam by car, there is a dirt access road to the right that leads to a small, rocky beach. This road is controlled by a gate which is open from dawn to dusk on Saturday, Sunday and holidays, April 1 to November 1 and during the week by special request by calling FPL at 207-727-3060 ext. 10. After unloading your boat, you should park in the upper lot as vandalism is reported to be a problem below the dam.

The nine-mile trip from the Dam to take outs in Biddeford and Saco will take the average family paddler about three hours to complete without working too hard. The river moves very slowly in this stretch and except for one small set of riffles, does not present any challenges.

There are no public beaches or picnic areas between the dam and the two parks. However, Homestead Family Campground (282-6455) provides access to the river for a fee. The campground operators also rent canoes.

The first opportunity to leave the river comes at Biddeford's Rotary Park, which has a beach and a boat ramp on the right hand side. A little further, on the left, (after passing under a steel railroad bridge) paddlers can exit the river in Saco's Irving Park, which has a boat ramp.

WARNING!

Do not travel downstream beyond Irving Park. Shortly after the park, the paddler will find a series of dams which cannot be traversed and present a serious danger.

Tidal Saco River
This six-mile section of the river is slightly more challenging, particularly for canoeists and particularly near the mouth of the river where the tidal surge creates a very powerful current. However, with reasonable care, this part of the Saco is well worth the trip. You will also find more boat traffic on this section of the river, especially on the weekends.

Front Street Ramp, Saco; Marblehead Ramp, Biddeford; Camp Ellis
Directions to Front Street Ramp

This boat ramp is in downtown Saco. From Main St, turn left into Pepperell Square and bear right on Front St, going down the hill and under the railroad. The boat ramp is just ahead on your right with ample parking across the street.

Directions to Marblehead Ramp

From downtown Saco, take Main St south and cross the Saco River. At the first traffic light, take the second left (Hill St) and climb to the traffic light at Pool St. Turn left on Pool and go 2.5 miles. Watch for the blue sign indicating boat access and turn left. It's a short distance to the river and a large parking area.

Directions to Camp Ellis
From downtown Saco, travel north a few blocks to the traffic light and turn right onto Beach. Beach turns into Ferry Rd. Go 3.9 miles and turn right at the stop sign onto Camp Ellis Ave. Then left on Main and right on North.The Saco River and Saco's municipal pier and parking lot will be in front of you.

The state maintains a free boat ramp on Front Street (described above) near the base of Cataract Falls. You may launch here and paddle downstream to Camp Ellis where you will find a boat ramp on the left-hand side of the river, just before reaching the fishing pier. The ramp is best used at high tide. You may also beach your boat on the sandy beach found just beyond the pier. You may leave the river at the Marblehead boat ramp in Biddeford, which is about halfway between the Saco Ramp and Camp Ellis.

WARNING!

The river's current, boosted by the tidal surge, is very powerful at Camp Ellis. We do not recommend traveling past the sandy beach unless you have experience in ocean situations.