Canoeing and Kayaking in Maine

Maine's canoe trips suit all interests, ranging from canoeing day trips to paddling on a calm lake or pond. Challenging whitewater river trips and overnight canoe camping trips are also available all over the state. Take a canoeing adventure starting at either the Kennebec, Narraguagus, Saint Croix, Penobscot, Saint George, Piscataquis, Pleasant, or the Roach and East Machias Rivers as well as Spednic Lake, Donnell & Flood’s Ponds or the Kenduskeag Stream.

If you are looking for an extended canoe trip, the best choice is Saint Croix River, a whitewater river trip offering great canoeing throughout the summer season and into the fall, providing also an excellent opportunity to learn whitewater and paddling techniques, wilderness camping skills, and the art of poling a canoe.

Passing the black fly season infringing on Maine in spring, Saint Croix River is a mix of quiet water and rapids, with headwater lakes and campsites of particular beauty during the fall foliage. This river flows along the New Brunswick border in eastern Maine, and its rapids are considered lively class I-II but not intimidating, great for a family canoe trip.

The Machias River is another of the featured destinations in Maine, the same for kayaking or just taking a wilderness canoe trip through its 85 miles in length headwaters, runnable to the sea by canoeing from Fifth Machias Lake toward the coastal town of Machias

Canoeing on Machias River is only runnable from late April to mid June, because the water levels on this river are dependent on the amount of precipitation received in eastern Maine, and canoe trips are shorter due to the number of access points along the Machias River. The best canoe trips are those on the Machias Rivers headwater lakes, running in the early river season.

Maine's rivers cover the different Rapids classification, so you can always select a destination with a river matching your canoeing skills. Class I rapids are easy with no obstacles, small ripples and slow current. Class II rapids are moderate with occasional obstacles, and medium current with waves. Class III rapids are difficult, having longer rapids with strong, irregular currents. Class IV rapids are very difficult and steeper, as well as longer with numerous obstacles.

A few rivers in Maine are classified V rapids. Within this type, the rivers are extremely difficult, with large vertical drops, strong hydraulics, and very swift, irregular currents in heavily obstructed channels, or class VI rapids, which are nearly impossible and very dangerous, except for experts, and after a conscientious study with all precautions taken in mind.

The 12 mile Kennebec River is classified a rapid class II to V flowing through the Kennebec Gorge until reaching the ending at The Forks. The Penobscot River has 12 miles of rapids class III to V, descending from McKay Station and running through Ripogenus Gorge ending near Pockwockamus Falls.

Maine's Dead River is the only rapid class IV and V, which offers the longest stretch of continuous whitewater in the East through a16 mile trip of whitewater beginning at Grand Falls and running until the end at The Forks. To protect the environmental quality of Maine's rivers, the state limits the number of activities each day so it would be advisable to talk with local authorities so you can guarantee your participation wherever you go.

Paddling is quiet in the bays and coves the scenic Maine coast and learning the art of sea, lake or New England's best whitewater kayaking gives you the chance to get close to Maine's moose, salmons and ospreys during the day. Tours, canoeing and kayaking across the state include courses, kayak rental facilities, and even relaxing time at evening primitive wilderness river campsites.