Dead River Rafting
Hayden’s Landing, Mile-Long, and Big Poplar are just a few of the class IV+ rapids that come to greet you when rafting this 16-mile stretch of the Dead River. Beginning just below Grand Falls and ending in The Forks, whitewater rafting on the Dead River is a truly remote and wild Maine experience.
Whitewater Rafting on the Dead River: New England's Most Continuous Whitewater
Get ready for some continuous action, with thrilling class 3 and 4+ rapids on this 16-mile stretch of whitewater in Maine! The dam-controlled Dead River has only 8 releases per season from below Grand Falls to the confluence of the Kennebec and Dead rivers, and it’s just a short shuttle drive from the Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort where the brewpub awaits your return.
Your Day Rafting the Dead River
Trip Itinerary
Morning Check in
Whitewater rafting trips on the Dead River gather at The Forks Adventure Resort at 8:00am or 8:30am for a safety orientation, paddling instructions, and to gear up before the ride to the Dead River put in.
Your River Trip - Including Lunch
After your ride to the Dead River put-in location, just below Grand Falls, you will meet your Registered Maine Whitewater Guide and hop on the river. Your Dead River trip builds in intensity with great warm-up rapids at the top, and culminates in the class 4+ Poplar Falls at the end. Prepare yourself for gorgeous scenery–especially when the leaves turn into vivid reds, oranges and yellows during Last Blast in October!
Post River Trip
The trip ends just 5 miles upstream from our Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort, where you’ll enjoy a classic grilled lunch of steak, salmon, chicken, or veggie burger served alongside fried rice, salad, and dessert. Also at our adventure resort? Craft beer from our very own Kennebec River Brewery! After lunch, your guides put on a slideshow of photos and video of you conquering the whitewater so grab a craft beer, kick back, and get ready to laugh!
Kennebec River Rafting Trip Information
Location: The Forks Adventure Resort
1771 US Route 201
The Forks, Maine 04985
Meeting Time: 8:15 AM
Difficulty: Class III-IV rapids
Trip Duration: 8 hours
Distance: 16 miles
Season: Spring & Fall
Trip Pricing:
Starts at $79+ Per Person
View trip prices
Age Limits:
14 Minimum Age
Registered Maine Guide: Professional Whitewater Guide, licensed by the State of Maine to guide you down the river.
Lunch: Grilled lunch, including your choice of steak, chicken, salmon, or veggie burger, alongside rice, salad, and dessert, served back at the resort.
Transportation: Bus transportation to the river and back, leaving from Northern Outdoors in The Forks.
Rafting Equipment: Raft, paddle, helmet, PFD (Personal Floatation Device).
What to Wear: Water-friendly clothing & shoes – here is our full list of recommended attire!
Wetsuit Rental: Available to rent at the front desk the morning of your trip. Options include:
- Top Half (full neoprene) $5
- Bottom Half (overall-style pants, full neoprene) $10
- Splash Jacket (light rain and windproof covering) $5
- Booties (full neoprene shoes) $5
Kennebec River rafting trips are located at Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort in The Forks, with an on-site brewpub, swimming pool, hot tub, and a wide selection of cabins and camping.
Pricing & Availability
2025 Dead River Releases
The Dead River at 5,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) and higher is made for the adventurous souls. It’s high volume, with big waves and fun rapids all throughout the 16 mile river trip.
The “summer flow” trip, under 4,000 CFS, is slower-moving, a bit more low key, but still has some solid class III rapids. This trip is geared more toward first-time Dead River folks who want to dip their toes in before committing to the big flow. 6 person “Sport Rafts” are standard on these trips, with no added charge.
All river trips have the options of our 13′ Sport Rafts for a wilder ride. Seats 6 – ask for this option when you make your reservation, and book early! Sport rafts are $15 more per person than price listed above, except on summer flow trips.
Rafting trip prices do not include state river access fees, $5 pp. Prices subject to change at any time.
Too many options? We’re here to help. Give our reservation team a call to book your reservation. 207-663-4466
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