KENNEBEC RIVER RAFTING

MAINE’S MOST POPULAR WHITE WATER RAFTING TRIP

This awesome river is ideal for everyone from first time rafters to whitewater junkies. Mother Nature really worked her magic on the Kennebec River as it winds its way from Moosehead Lake to the Gulf of Maine. Raft through the spectacular rock-walled upper Kennebec River Gorge with playful rapids and big waves before the Kennebec broadens after lunch, into the easygoing lower section surrounded by forests and wildlife.

The Kennebec River offers consistent class 2-4 whitewater rafting spring, summer, and fall. It’s one of the best family or group vacations you’ll ever take. You’ll have plenty of time to swim and even paddle your own nimble inflatable kayak. The river put-in is only 18 miles from the lodge, a 30-minute shuttle. The trip gets off the river just 5 minutes from the main lodge, so you’ll be back fast to enjoy outdoor hot tubbing, the swimming pool, your private cabin, and a microbrew at our Adventure Resort!

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Your Day Rafting the Kennebec River

We gather in the lodge at 7:45am for a safety orientation, paddling instructions, and to gear up. During our short drive to the put-in at Harris Station Dam guides will entertain you with interesting information about the Kennebec River Valley (and a corny joke or two.) On a good day you may spot a moose along the way. Your Registered Maine Whitewater Guide will lead you and your crew into the granite walls of the upper Kennebec River gorge where you’ll ride an action-packed sequence of class 3 and class 4 rapids. Grab a seat at the front of the raft for the most whitewater fun, or request a High Adventure Sport Raft when booking (spring, fall, and summer weekdays only.)

After the famous Magic Falls, the river mellows so you can swim a rapid and jump into a waterfall. We make a quick stop at Carry Brook to pick up supplies — and any kids who are too young for the class 4 rapids of the upper Kennebec but a great age for the lower river (8-9 years old.) Read more about family adventures at Northern Outdoors.

We continue down the Kennebec to our beach, one of the sweetest spots on the river, for a cookout with steak, salmon, chicken, or veggie burger grilled over a hardwood fire, accompanied by stir-fried rice, salad, homemade dessert, hot chocolate and coffee. After lunch, we hop back in our rafts to float the scenic lower Kennebec, maybe catch an eagle soaring above the river. Northern Outdoors’ rafting trip takeout is only a few miles up the road from our resort where guides put on a slideshow of photos and video of you conquering Kennebec River whitewater!

Wrap up an awesome day of rafting with stories by the campfire, music in the lodge, cornhole on the deck, volleyball in the pool, a sunset kayak on Martin Pond, a walk by the river, dinner at the brewpub, and a well-deserved Magic Hole IPA or two.

Maine Travel Guide:Kennebec River Rafting Trip Reviews

Why Rafting the Kennebec River is the Perfect Team Building Activity

Rafting and Lodging Discounts

How do you get your teenagers to put down their phones? Take ’em whitewater rafting! We love seeing families paddling down the river together, and coming back every rafting season. That’s why we have Half-Price Rafting for Kids Under 18 weekdays all summer long. Between the swimming pool, giant hot tub, arcade, cornhole, basketball, and pool table, your kids might stay off their phones at the lodge too.

See All Specials and Discounts: including Half-Off for Mainers on Wednesdays, 20% off for Heroes, Group Discounts and more!

Kennebec River Whitewater Rafting Photos

Every Northern Outdoors rafting trip concludes with a photo slideshow and video of you and your crew on the river. View and order photos from your rafting trip. For more photos of Kennebec rafting and other awesome outdoor adventures in Maine follow @northernoutdoorsmaine on Instagram, and see our Maine Whitewater Rafting Videos playlist on YouTube.