Concord River Rafting
Come join us for early spring whitewater rafting on the Concord River, just 30 minutes north of Boston, Massachusetts. This urban whitewater gem plunges over three major class III-IV rapids – Twisted Sister, Three Beauties, and The Middlesex Dam. When the water level is right, Three Beauties becomes an intensely fun surfing hole. Surfing involves paddling upstream into a wave or hole with the goal to fill the boat with water, splash the entire crew, or maybe even have the boat stand on end.
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The Concord River trip is an urban whitewater gem that plunges over three major class III-IV rapids – Twisted Sister, Three Beauties, and Middlesex Dam. We run this section twice on each Concord River rafting trip. The Concord River rafting trip is a spring trip only. This trip runs on select weekends, April through May. Additional weekday trips are available for groups of 12 or more. Please call the office for more details and availability.
We meet at Wannalancit Mills, located at 650 Suffolk Street in Lowell, MA about half an hour north of Boston. There is parking available in a side parking lot, across a little bridge, specifically designed for guest parking.
Morning trips depart at 9:00 am; afternoon trips depart at 1:00 pm.
Please be on time and plan to arrive for your trip no later than 15 minutes prior to its scheduled departure. You will be required to read and sign a release of liability at this time.
All guests will be required to wear a Zoar Outdoor issued PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and helmet. You will also be provided with a paddle.
Concord rafting trip are run in partnership with the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust. A portion of the rafting proceeds go to support the construction and maintenance of the Concord River Greenway.
What to Bring
Expect everything you bring with you on the raft to get wet!
- Wetsuits, splash jackets, and neoprene river booties are provided for the Concord Trip at no extra charge. We ask you to not wear cotton, as it will keep you cold and wet throughout the trip.
- In cooler weather, wool and synthetic materials such as polypropylene, nylon, and fleece, are suggested to wear under the wetsuits for cooler air and water temperatures.
- You are required to wear sneakers or other shoes that can be secured to your feet if you prefer to not wear the river booties provided. No flip-flops or Crocs!
- Extra money for souvenirs, snacks, gratuities, etc.
- Bring any required medications such as EpiPen, inhalers, diabetic medications.
Before the trip, please leave any and all valuables including money as well as your dry clothes and towels for after the trip in your locked vehicle. Keep your car keys with you during registration, as we will collect those and put them in a lock box before gearing up, then return them to you when you get off the boats.
Participation Requirements
Adventurers on the Concord Trip:
- Must be 14 years old or older.
- Must sign their own waiver, and if under 18 also have a legal guardian sign for them.
For all of our whitewater trips, guests must be able/willing to do the following:
- Must wear our helmet and our personal flotation device (PFD)*.
- Respond to and follow verbal or visual instruction.
- Independently roll face up in water while wearing a PFD
- Demonstrate dynamic sitting position with head above water (sitting upright), and float with feet up in water.
- Be able to navigate with minimal assistance on rocky, uneven ground and descend staircases with no railings.
*Our helmets fit a maximum head circumference of 62cm (24.4 inches). Our PFDs fit a maximum chest size of 56 inches.
Specifically for the Concord River trip, guests should be able to:
- Paddle in the rapids, but with frequent rests.
- Remain calm, lay flat, and orient their body so their feet are aiming downstream if they find themselves unexpectedly in the water.
On the Concord trip, longer unexpected swims in rocky class III/IV rapids are possible, and guests need to be prepared to self-rescue by swimming aggressively to shore or other rafts, and/or be prepared to receive a throw rope from shore. Swims while surfing can involve more underwater time and are more likely to result in coming up under the boat.
Don't forget to read your confirmation letter (there is a lot of useful information in there!). Please also take the time to fill out your online guest details (available through your confirmation) as fully as possible, as this helps us provide correctly sized wetsuits and booties for everyone.
Call our office if you have any additional questions. We're always happy to help!