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WHITEWATER RAFTING in MAINE

Splashing through class V rapids, spotting moose and eagles in the woods, a gourmet lunch grilled on a riverside beach, waterfalls, rocky gorges, skilled Maine Guides… Join us for an unforgettable river adventure! We’ve been white water rafting down Maine’s rivers for over 40 years on the Kennebec River, Penobscot River and Dead River, offering a variety of rafting trips for all skill levels, and ages 8 to 80. With 3 dam-controlled rivers offering class III-V action, there’s no better place to go white water rafting!

Kennebec River Whitewater Rafting Maine

KENNEBEC RIVER

 

The Kennebec River offers consistent class 2-4 whitewater rafting every day from May through October. It’s an ideal rafting trip for first time rafters, and everyone who enjoys a good mix of whitewater action, fire-grilled lunch on a river beach, and a peaceful afternoon float to the take-out. After a quick 5 minute shuttle back to the resort, over a fresh pint of Magic Hole IPA, guides will entertain you with photos and video of your rafting trip. Ages 10+

 

Looking for Maine’s Biggest Whitewater?
Check out Kennebec River Turbine Tests. Four huge whitewater releases per rafting season. Ages 14+

 

Family Vacation Ideas
How about a laid-back, self-guided afternoon float trip in inflatable kayaks on the Kennebec River that takes out right at our campground? Family River Float Trips Ages 8+

Penobscot River Rafting

PENOBSCOT RIVER

 

Epic best describes whitewater rafting the West Branch of the Penobscot River, under the shadow of Mount Katahdin. Just up the Golden Road from our Katahdin Adventure Base Camp (steps from Baxter State Park) we launch rafting trips in the steep rock walls of Ripogenus Gorge, through the class V rapids of The Cribworks to raft surfing at Big Amberjack, and then a grilled riverside cookout. After lunch get set to tackle Nesowadnehunk Falls 11′ foot drop, and the rapids of the lower river. A classic pool-drop river, our top-to-bottom rafting trip is a truly unforgettable experience… one that might bring you back to the Katahdin Region every summer! Ages 14+

 

Make it an Epic Maine Vacation
Stay a few nights camping at our Katahdin Base Camp or in a lakeside cabin, fish the Penobscot, go hiking in Baxter State Park, walk the Appalachian Trail, explore waterfalls and ice caves, climb Maine’s Greatest Mountain.

Dead River Whitewater Rafting Maine

DEAD RIVER

 

With the most continuous whitewater in New England, The Dead River has only 8 special releases per rafting season! This dam-controlled river gives you heart-pounding Class 3-5 rapids from below Grand Falls to the confluence of the Kennebec and Dead Rivers. For the most intense whitewater book a spring rafting trip. Or join us in the fall for big water and big foliage. The Dead River takeout is a few miles up the scenic byway from Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort where your celebratory pint and post-rafting slideshow await. Ages 14 +

 

Dead River trips are special high energy occasions that lead to raucous cornhole tournaments, frosty mud slides in the hot tub, volleyball in the pool, tales around the campfire, Suzie and The Smelts rockin’ the pub, an off-the-charts 80s dance party, Octoberfest Raft ‘n Brews. 8 Dead River rafting trips, 8 days of rafting, music, campfires, cornhole, beer drinkin’ good times… see Dead River stories.

News & Updates

 

Stay up on the latest happenings at Northern Outdoors with our email newsletter. Subscribers are automatically entered in a monthly drawing to win rafting vouchers in the summer and Sugarloaf lift tickets in the winter.

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Rafting Specials

 

Spring and Fall are our rafting and lodging value seasons, and weekdays are always a savings. See rafting trip pricing. A few of our ongoing rafting specials:

 

Kids Raft Half-Price

Wednesday is Maine Day

Heroes Discount –  15% off 

 

RAFTING FAQ

 

Is whitewater rafting safe? What do I bring for a day on the river? Are wetsuit rentals available? When is the best time to go rafting in Maine? Is it more expensive to go rafting on holidays? Answers to all these questions and more at:

 

 

 

White Water Rafting Trip Reviews

  • Awesome Group Trip: Experience to Remember! - My co-workers and I had the best time at Northern Outdoors last weekend. The campsite was big and clean and the main lodge is very welcoming and cozy! We made some awesome memories on the river and our guides really went above and beyond... After the trip there was a slideshow of all the days activities and one of my co-workers said, "wow, they really know how to create an experience here."

  • Kennebec River Rafting Best Rafting Trip Ever - My sister and I went rafting on the Kennebec and had the best day of our lives. The river was amazing, especially the first part of the trip when we went through the class 4 rapids... We loved the last 2 hours of the trip as well.. where we could get out in the duckies.. small kayaks... and just float. What a wonderful day. Of course the gourmet lunch was to die for...

Whitewater Rafting and Kayak River Trips

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