Kennebec River Turbine Test

Name: Kennebec River Rafting
Brand: Northern Outdoors
SKU: 4
Price: 149.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (196 reviews)

Four special releases each year on the BIGGEST white water in Maine, and TWO different ways to experience it: a full day top to bottom river trip, or run the the upper twice! HIGH water, HUGE waves, and TONS OF FUN… don’t miss rafting the Kennebec River Turbine Test 8,000+ CFS release dates based out of our adventure resort in The Forks, Maine.

Kennebec River High Water Rafting: Maine’s Biggest Whitewater Experience

During a turbine test, Brookfield Power tests their generating turbines by releasing the maximum amount of water possible from Harris Station Dam. Kennebec Turbine Test rafting trips enjoy 8,000+ cubic feet per second (cfs) water flows, which is nearly DOUBLE the Kennebec River’s normal whitewater rafting release volume. Northern Outdoors offers two types of trips: a full day, top to bottom river trip OR a half day “double trouble” – read on for all of the details! If you love whitewater action, you will want to be on one of these special Turbine Test release trips–only 4 per season!

Turbine Test: Full Day

Classic top to bottom style river trip

Morning Check in

7:45am: Meet the Northern Outdoors trip leader in the main lodge- make sure you have your release forms filled out! This is when you rent wetsuits and finalize what you want to bring on the river. After the first check in, you’ll go through the safety orientation, paddling instructions, and gear up before the short ride to Harris Station Dam.

Your River Trip

9:30am – 1:30pm: Upon arrival at the Dam, your Registered Maine Whitewater Guide will lead you and your crew into the granite walls of the upper Kennebec River gorge. This high-adventure whitewater rafting trip races through the beautiful Upper Kennebec Gorge with non-stop action and huge waves. The Kennebec broadens after a brief stop for a snack, into the fast-moving lower section surrounded by forests and wildlife. Enjoy incredible scenery, exciting rapids and plenty of opportunities to float in the water and see wildlife such as eagles and osprey diving for fish!

Post River Trip – Including Lunch

2:00pm: Northern Outdoors’ rafting trip takeout is only a few miles up the road from our resort. After a short ride to The Forks Adventure Resort, you’ll enjoy the classic grilled river lunch back at the Kennebec River Pub & Brewery including steak, salmon, chicken, or veggie burger, accompanied by stir-fried rice, salad, dessert, and beverages. After lunch the guides put on a slideshow of photos and video of you conquering the whitewater — grab a craft beer, kick back, and get ready to laugh! Expect this trip to wrap up around 3:30pm, including the slideshow and video.

Double Trouble: Half Day

Run the upper gorge two times

Morning Check in

Your River Trip

9:30am – 12:30pm: Upon arrival at the Dam, your Registered Maine Whitewater Guide will lead you and your crew into the granite walls of the upper Kennebec River gorge. This high-adventure whitewater rafting trip races through the beautiful 4 mile Upper Kennebec Gorge with non-stop action and huge waves. These top 4 miles are jam packed with whitewater- and lucky for you, you get to do it again! Your trip pulls over at Carry Brook Stairs and hikes OUT of the gorge, back onto the bus, and back up to the top to do it all over again! After the second run, your crew gets out at the stairs, back on the bus, and back to the brewpub.

Note- this trip does NOT go to our riverside lunch spot, and does not do the lower river float out. Trip should arrive back at Northern Outdoors by approximately 1pm.

Post River Trip - Lunch on Your Own

1:00pm: The double trouble trip is a half day, jam packed with adventure- so your group hikes out of the gorge at Carry Brook Stairs and back onto the bus. It’s a 25 minutes bus ride back to the lodge, where the hot tub, or a dry change of clothes, and the Kennebec River Pub & Brewery is waiting for you. If you’re interested in watching the action, keep your eyes on the Bingo Hall- the guides put on a slideshow of photos and video of you conquering the whitewater that’s sure to have some epic hits!

Kennebec River Turbine Test Trip Information

Location: The Forks Adventure Resort
1771 US Route 201, The Forks, Maine 04985

Meeting Time: 7:45 AM

Difficulty: Class III-IV rapids

Trip Duration: 5-8 hours

Distance: 8-12 miles

Season: 4 Releases Per Year

Trip Pricing: $149+ Per Person

Age Limits: 14 Minimum Age

2025 Kennebec River Turbine Test Releases

June 14th	8000 CFS	$149	Book Now
July 7th	8000 CFS	$149	Book Now
Sept 6th	8000 CFS	$149	Book Now
Sept 20th	8000 CFS	$149	Book Now
Rafting trip prices do not include taxes and $5 pp state river fee. Prices subject to change at any time.

Registered Maine Guide: Professional Whitewater Guide, licensed by the State of Maine, to guide you down the river.

Lunch: Full day trip ONLY- Grilled riverside lunch, including your choice of steak, chicken, salmon, or veggie burger, alongside rice, salad, and dessert. Snack provided on both trips.

Transportation: Bus transportation to Harris Station Dam, the put in for the Kennebec River, and back, leaving from Northern Outdoors in The Forks.

Rafting Equipment: Raft, paddle, helmet, PFD (Personal Floatation Device). Wetsuit rentals available.

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.

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Availability Calendar

Prices do not include taxes and fees

COLOR KEY: AVAILABLE | LIMITED AVAILABILITY | VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY | SORRY, UNAVAILABLE

2026 Kennebec River Turbine Test Releases

June 13th	8000 CFS	$149	Book Now
July 6th	8000 CFS	$149	Book Now
Sept 12th	8000 CFS	$149	Book Now
Sept 26th	8000 CFS	$149	Book Now
Rafting trip prices do not include taxes and $5 pp state river fee. Prices subject to change at any time.