There are several sites in the Contoocook River Valley that are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Contoocook River is a scenic and recreational resource for the communities that border it, as well as an important economic resource. In the town of Bennington, Monadnock Paper Mill depends upon river waters for power and paper making. Numerous other industries use the river for process or cooling water or to carry away wastes. Towns along the river use it for assimilation of treated waste.
Many residents view the river as a recreational resource.
Peterborough and Hillsborough both have community trails along the river. Antrim has trails along the river in McCabe Forest and Jaffrey and Henniker have riverfront parks with benches beside the water. Recreational Resources a. The river provides challenging rapids for expert canoers and flatwater sections for those who enjoy a less challenging trip. The Contoocook River includes one of the premier whitewater boating stretches in New England.