The Exeter River Festival in Exeter, New Hampshire, invites visitors to engage directly with a river that’s anything but passive. Flowing with purpose through downtown Exeter, the Squamscott River dares you to enjoy a weekend where history, community, and nature intersect. This event combines riverside trails, local artistry, live music, and outdoor adventure, providing both the casual visitor and the outdoor enthusiast a refreshing experience grounded in place and activity.

Held every summer along the banks of this vibrant waterway, the festival offers more than a typical event. You’ll find paddling opportunities along calm yet spirited sections of the river, with guided kayaking and stand-up paddleboard sessions designed for all skill levels. The river, wary yet willing, challenges visitors to respect its currents while rewarding them with views of fish darting beneath its surface and the gentle ripple against rugged stone banks.

Exploring the adjacent forested paths gives you access to short hikes — these trails range from a half-mile stroll to more involved loops that rise subtly, offering glimpses of the river where sunlight flecks the water like quicksilver. Along the way, you’ll pass native birches and maples that hum softly with summer breezes, their leaves probing for light above the trail. Nearly flat to moderately undulating, these paths invite active engagement without demanding expert endurance.

The festival’s location also highlights local artisans and food purveyors, framing the outdoors experience with regional flavor and craft that’s as grounded as the river’s banks. Practical considerations come easily: pack sturdy footwear with good tread, as patches of dirt and pine needles create slick spots; hydrate as summer afternoons here push temperatures upward; timing your visit for early morning or late afternoon hikes will keep you cool and offer the best natural light.

For families and solo adventurers alike, the Exeter River Festival delivers an engaging balance of calm waters and lively cultural expression. The straightforward routes paired with dynamic watercraft options mean the festival isn’t just a day by the river—it’s a weekend to meet an encounter with nature that stays responsive, alive, and fiercely itself.

Plan for a day rich in interplay: between you and the river, the town and the trail, the quiet drift of water and the cadence of community footsteps. This isn’t a passive getaway but an invitation to move with the river’s flow, to meet it on its terms, practical and refreshing.