About Northern Outdoors
In 2026, Northern Outdoors celebrates 50 years of guiding guests through Maine’s rivers and woods, while stepping into a new chapter of ownership. What began as a bold idea on the Kennebec River has grown into a year-round destination for rafting, snowmobiling, ATVing, and lodging in The Forks and Millinocket. Today, the next generation of leadership is carrying that legacy forward–while staying rooted in the experience, hospitality, and sense of place that guests have trusted for decades.
Founded on a Heritage of Loving Maine’s Outdoors
For co-founder Suzie Hockmeyer, her love of Maine’s wilderness started early–she spent every summer of her childhood at her grandfather’s farm in Belgrade, Maine. Fishing, swimming, hunting–you name it, Suzie did it. So it wasn’t a far stretch for her and her husband Wayne to start a backcountry expedition company in the mid 1970s running out of Moosehead Lake that offered hunting and fishing in remote areas. This was the beginning of Northern Outdoors as we know it. Watch her June 2016 Interview on WCSH6 TV here about Northern’s early days.
From Kennebec Whitewater Expeditions to Northern Outdoors
Shortly after Wayne and Suzie began their hunting and fishing sporting camps in rural Maine, they encountered the pristine Kennebec River. In 1976, Suzie and Wayne Hockmeyer knew that the Kennebec River was ending its role as a log-running river and could be used recreationally. It would possess some pristine fishing spots, but no one had ever commercially rafted it. After making elaborate plans to have a professional rafting team from West Virginia scout the river, they ended up rafting it solo because the WV team had to cancel. Scary, yes. Exciting? Definitely.
That spring, Northern Outdoors became the first outfitter to raft the Kennebec River and the first commercial rafting trip in all of Maine. Imagine no helmets, no self-bailing rafts and bulky life jackets. Rafting was in its infancy in the U.S. when we became Maine’s rafting pioneers in 1976. And we were in love–with the Kennebec River, the rafting and sharing the incredible beauty of western Maine. In 1983, we became a year-round resort by adding snowmobiling to our repertoire and we changed our name to Northern Outdoors. Over the course of the next four decades, we added the Dead River and Penobscot River (we pioneered both those rivers, too!). With trips from May to September, grilled riverside lunches, experienced guides and amazing scenery, Northern Outdoors continues to offer a tradition of the best rafting adventures in Maine.
Longtime guides Jim Yearwood (who joined Northern Outdoors in 1981) and Russell Walters (joining as a kayak instructor in 1983) became key partners in growing the company and strengthening its presence in the Maine outdoor community. Under their leadership alongside the Hockmeyers, Northern Outdoors built a reputation for excellence in safety, training, hospitality, and guiding across seasons.
Northern Outdoors: The Next Era
In 2024, Northern Outdoors entered a new chapter. After nearly 50 years of leadership from Suzie Hockmeyer and decades of ownership from Jim Yearwood and Russell Walters, the next generation stepped forward. Emily Yearwood and Paul Yearwood (children of Jim Yearwood), became owners, continuing a legacy they’ve been part of their entire lives.
With deep roots in the business and a passion for the outdoors, Paul, Emily, and Emily’s husband, Zach, now lead Northern Outdoors, continuing a family legacy built on adventure, community, and stewardship of Maine’s wilderness. Their leadership reflects a commitment to carrying forward what has made this place special for nearly 50 years— while continuing to evolve and strengthen it for the future.
Northern Outdoors Timeline of Major Events
1975: Wayne and Suzie Hockmeyer formed Back Country Outfitters in Rockwood, Maine as a hunting and fishing guide service.
1976: In May, Wayne and Suzie purchased a 20’ raft and did an exploratory descent of the Kennebec River gorge. In June, they established Kennebec Whitewater Expeditions and began offering commercial whitewater rafting trips. In the fall of 1976, they explored the West Branch of the Penobscot River.
1978: First rafting trip ever on the Dead River
1981: Jim Yearwood, (co owner through 2024), joined Northern Outdoors as river guide
1983: Built main lodge in The Forks and changed name to Northern Outdoors
1983: Russell Walters, (co-owner through 2026), joined Northern Outdoors as a kayak instructor
1983: Added snowmobiling to become year-round resort with year-round staff
1996–2000: Added more cabins to the resort
1996: Co-owner Jim Yearwood founded Kennebec River Brewery
2002: Opened Kennebec River Campground
2003: Paul Yearwood, son of Jim Yearwood, trained and joined the Northern Outdoors guide staff.
2006: Emily Yearwood, daughter of Jim Yearwood, trained and joined the Northern Outdoors guide staff.
2008: Connected ATV trail direct to the main lodge
2011: Zach Davis trained and joined the Northern Outdoors guide staff.
2012: Hosted Untamed Adventure Race in June, the largest adventure race in the U.S.
2016: Celebrated 40 years of river running
2019: Established Katahdin Adventure Base Camp at Big Moose Inn Cabins & Campground
2024: Emily Yearwood and Paul Yearwood, along with their spouses Zach and Mona, became the new generation of ownership by purchasing Northern Outdoors from Suzie Hockmeyer, Jim Yearwood, and Russell Walters.
2026: Northern Outdoors celebrates 50 years!
Looking Forward
As Northern Outdoors enters its sixth decade, the focus remains the same: delivering outdoor experiences that bring people together. We remain committed to delivering the same top-notch outdoor adventures and hospitality that guests have come to expect—experiences that bring people together, create lasting memories, and foster a true sense of community.
Each year, over 20,000 guests come to The Forks for rafting, snowmobiling, ATVing, hiking, fishing, and time spent at Northern. What keeps them coming back isn’t just the activities—it’s the people they share it with, and the way it all comes together.
With new leadership and deep roots, Northern Outdoors is continuing to build on what’s always worked, while creating space for what’s next.