The river provides glimpses of long stretches of whitewater surrounding wetlands full of wildlife, and vast expanses of agricultural fields and farmlands. Distant peaks, town hall steeples, and traditional New England homes such as those in Orford are other sites admired by tourists and recreationalists alike. Scenic highlights of the region include the Cornish-Windsor covered bridge and the St. Gaudens' National Historic Site, with its commanding view of Mt. Ascutney. Snowmobile trails are very popular in the northern reaches of the river while bike trails are cited in almost every town from Littleton to Walpole. The trails on Mount Pulaski, Percy Peaks and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail offer picturesque views of the river.
Various towns have visitor centers offering swimming, hiking, ball fields and picnic sites.
Boating The Connecticut River offers a wide variety of boating opportunities from the Third Connecticut Lake to Long Island Sound. In New Hampshire boating begins in Pittsburg with whitewater stretches for expert kayakers and canoeists and continues to Hinsdale where hundreds of people enjoy flatwater boating and motorized boating. Two popular whitewater sections are at Lymans Fall in Columbia, and at Sumner Falls in Cornish. Access can be gained at any of the approximately 50 access sites along the river in New Hampshire or the 36 sites in Vermont. Due to its great length and land area, the Connecticut River has five subcommittees that are working to create and implement a management plan for the river.