Of Maine’s three rivers the Dead River is the only one with a limited dam release schedule: only 8 Dead River rafting trips per season! The Dead River has the most continuous white water in New England, and a few of the releases are HUGE WHITEWATER! Dead River release updates, trip reviews, and photos below. Also see: Dead River Whitewater Rafting info. Post your Dead River rafting photos on Instagram with #NorthernOutdoors to be featured in our taproom.
Prepare for your whitewater rafting adventure in Maine! Discover what to wear whitewater rafting with Northern Outdoors, from essential footwear and “no-cotton” clothing tips to wetsuit recommendations for all seasons.
White water rafting in Maine at Northern Outdoors begins on May 3rd, 2025 with the first of 8 releases on the Dead River, and with spring run off, this is sure to be a big water trip! Or, hit up the first Kennebec River trip of the year on Sunday the 5th, and the Penobscot River starting May 24th. Whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, fishing, ATVing, and relaxing– do it all at our adventure resort in The Forks, Maine.
Whitewater Rafting the Dead River: Summer Flow At the 3500 cfs “Summer Flow” the Dead river
Adventuring to Maine in autumn is a no brainer: with 90% forest cover, Maine’s fall foliage is INCREDIBLE! But, what’s the best way to see it all? Whitewater rafting, ATVing, and more make our top 5 list of the BEST things to do in Maine in the fall!
It’s the final Dead River release of the year. The river will be running at 6000 cubic feet per second. The guides’ excitement is palpable — October may just be the most spectacular time on the river.
Spent Memorial Weekend up in Maine on the Dead River and had a blast. Our guide, Erica, was awesome and the small Diablo raft was a blast. The Dead was a great river and the drop in and out was pretty conveniently close to Northern Outdoors.
There’s no better way to kick off rafting season than with 16 miles of continuous whitewater, a rowdy river adventure that delivers some of the best rafting in New England!
From Flagstaff Lake to The Forks where the Dead River joins the Kennebec River, runs 42 miles of flatwater, whitewater and the grandest of waterfalls. With hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling trails next to the river, and 8 white water rafting releases, exploring Maine’s Dead River offers different adventures for spring, summer, fall and winter vacations.
The 2018 Dead River release dates! Experience Maine’s most continuous white water with spring releases, summer flow trips & fall foliage.
Whitewater rafting, hiking, ATV trails, fishing, The Forks Maine Recreation Map shows trail heads, raft put-ins, campgrounds, and waterfalls.
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