We’ve been guiding whitewater rafting trips at Northern Outdoors in The Forks, Maine for over 40 years, but somehow Maine’s three rivers — the Kennebec River, the Dead River and the Penobscot River — are more fun every season! It must be you guys. Read your whitewater rafting trip reports, get some Maine travel tips, and meet our Registered Maine Whitewater Guides below. Post your rafting photos and other Maine adventures on Instagram with #NorthernOutdoors to be featured in our taproom.
We have been up to Northern Outdoors three times now. We have done everything from camp with Tents, used our RV/Horse Trailer, and rented their beautiful Town Houses overlooking a private pond. The Facilities are as good as they get for a adventure-focused operation. The main lodge has a HUGE hot tub, heated swimming pool (with indoor in-out for wintertime), and their own Brewery!
My experience with Northern Outdoors could not have been a better one! In all aspects of the river experience on the Kennebec, the service and staff, the lodge itself, as well as the surrounding natural beauty, I was very impressed.
Northern Outdoors is not only the only rafting company or adventure resort in Maine with its own microbrewery onsite, but it’s the only one in New England, and (sources close to us suggest, but have not confirmed yet), all of the US!
I want to take the time to thank Northern Outdoors and your staff. My family and I had a lot of fun and a great time. Your resort staff, guides, equipment, training, et. al., were just wonderful. My wife planned and scheduled the trip, and I reluctantly went along. But I can’t lie to you – your whitewater rafting excursion far exceeded all my expectations, and some.
The entire package was a great value, and one of the most satisfying family adventures we have ever had (there have been many). My 17-year old son now wants to take the training course and work as a guide while in college.
The Penobscot River is a true class 4-5 Maine whitewater rafting gem, and Northern Outdoors is well known for running this river as a classic top-to-bottom river trip.
As a Maine whitewater rafting guide, there’s nothing better than guiding a kid on the river for their first time. Even from the very beginning of the trip, things like teaching them how to hold our perfect kid sized paddles to how to sit in the raft are moments of excitement.
Nesowadnehhunk Falls on the Penobscot River is a rapid of pure heart-pumping enjoyment. As you round the corner, a natural ledge lies across the length of the river in between calm sections creating a fantastically fun 12-foot drop. Hold on!
Thanks to all U.S. service members and a special shout out to the warriors of Project Odyssey Number 21 that went Kennebec River rafting with Northern Outdoors
The guides at Northern Outdoors serve up a gourmet riverside lunch right on the banks of the Kennebec River. Really! In fact, it just might be the best wilderness lunch spot in Maine, or at least we think so!