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The First Rafting Outfitter in Maine

Northern Outdoors - Pioneers In Maine Rafting Since 1976.

In 1976 we ran the very first rafting trip on the Kennebec River, and the first rafting trip in the state of Maine. We dodged a few logs that year, as active logging continued through 1976 on the Kennebec. We didn’t wear helmets; we didn’t have self-bailing rafts; we had unsightly life jackets, and we fell in love with the river, the rafting, the excitement, and the beauty. Folks thought we were crazy at the time. Rafting was in its infancy in the US, with just a handful of outfitters opening their doors from 1969 through the 1970s in the West and Southeast.  We changed our name from Kennebec Whitewater Expeditions to Northern Outdoors in 1983 to reflect the company's new year-round direction.

Key Dates In Northern Outdoor's History

• 

  1976 - Ran the first rafting trip ever on the Kennebec River.
• 1976 - Ran first rafting trip ever on the Penobscot River that fall.
• 1978 - Ran first rafting trip ever on the Dead River
• 1978 - Switched from heavy wooden paddles to lightweight plastic paddles.
• 1982 - Started to offer helmets on the river.
• 1983 - Built Main lodge at the Forks Resort.
• 1983 - We changed our name to Northern Outdoors .
• 1983 - We become a year-round resort, are the first to hire year-round staff, and offer snowmobiling in winter.
• 1988 - Built the Logdominiums.
• 1992 - Built the Crying Loon Cottage.
• 1994 - Switched to self-bailing rafts on the river.
• 1996 - 2000 Building cabins.
• 2002 - Purchased wilderness campground and cabins at the Forks Center.
• 2005 - Purchased Lakeside Resort Center  on Wyman Lake.
• 2008 - Added kid-sized paddles on the Kennebec River, developed geocaching program, and connected ATV trail direct to The Forks Resort lodge

Setting Maine Rafting Standards for Safety, Training, Excellence

When we say we set the standards of whitewater rafting in Maine, we did! There was no-one else on the river! Today we continue to set the standards and raise the bar for excellence in outdoor recreation and adventure, on and off the river. Our professional and dedicated staff members are the reason for our continued excellence and innovation.

Our Year-Round Staff

Our commitment to having the best outdoor adventure company in Maine was the driving force behind our establishment of a year-round, four season adventure company. We wanted to hire the best staff and give them year-round employment in order to hold onto them and give them more career opportunities.  More about our Staff.

Today, the key members of our salaried guide staff have over 100 years of combined guiding experience in Maine. For them, Northern Outdoors isn't just a seasonal job, it's their career, and their dedication is one of the biggest reasons why Northern Outdoors is the most successful outfitter in the Northeast.

As we enter our fourth decade, our commitment to providing guests with a superior quality outdoor recreation experience is a thriving, year-round business. Every year almost 20,000 guests choose Northern Outdoors for their adventure vacation in whitewater rafting, hiking, teambuilding, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling.

We invite you to experience for yourself the Northern Outdoors difference. Come celebrate 32 years of Maine’s great outdoors with us.