The Upper Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers, located in central Maine, are the principal whitewater rafting centres in the North East.

In June 1999, I stayed with the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) at Caratunk on the Kennebec River where there is a wide selection of accommodation at the restored and cosy Sterling Inn - an old hunting lodge, with shared bathrooms - and comfortable log or plank cabins dotted in the woods along the shore of Wyman Lake.  These sleep up to 11 and have a full bathroom, dining area and kitchenette - ideal for family groups.  For the hardy there are cabin tents sleeping 2/4.  Evening meals are provided in the Dining Pavilion.  After a hearty breakfast I met the rest of the group in The Osprey Center for a pre-rafting safety lecture and an outline of the day's events.  Both of the rivers have hydro-electric dams and rafting takes place below the dams.

The flow of water is carefully controlled and is warm (water is released from the top of the lake).  We are issued with life jackets, helmets and a paddle and then travel by bus to the Harris Dam.  Each raft has a licensed Maine guide in charge, and a following rescue boat - just in case.  After initial trepidation, once on the river and several trial paddling exercises we were ready to hit The Taster (see photo), Big Mama and Magic Falls.  It was fun and exhilarating all the way, with good company and complete confidence in Joe, our guide.  After 4½ hours on the river, we returned by bus to The Osprey Center for a welcome shower and a change of clothes followed by a late lunch steak barbecue by the lake.  The NEOC also have a new base near Millinocket for the Penobscot River.

Weekends are busy during the summer so try to schedule a cheaper midweek rafting trip.

The Magic Falls Rafting Company and Wilderness Rafting (operated by The Birches Resort, Rockwood) also provide a first class whitewater experience.  Both of these companies have accommodation and bases at The Forks and Millinocket.

The Kennebec River at The Forks.
Trip Length: 14 miles
Age minimum: 12 years old

The Kennebec River is Maine's most popular whitewater river and considered one of the best in the world.  From beginning to end, rafting the Kennebec means miles and miles of whitewater.  The Kennebec flows from Moosehead Lake across Indian Pond and crashes through the Kennebec Gorge.  Six to eight foot waves mean you will be up close and personal with rapids like the Three Sisters, the Alleyway and Magic Falls - some of the most challenging and beautiful whitewater rapids in the east.

The Penobscot River at Millinocket
Trip Length: 14 miles
Age min: Upper section - 15 years old
              Lower section - 12 years old

Spectacular scenery combined with Maine's most consistently challenging rapids means the best of all worlds on the West Brach of the Penobscot River.  Begin the day with the 70-foot high walls of Ripogenus Gorge rising on either side as you careen through the chutes, drops and boulder piles of the upper river.  Eat all you want at our riverside barbecue, but be ready for the lower river with Nesowadnehunk Falls, a natural rock waterslide and plenty of surfing.  In between all the excitement you will enjoy fantastic views and wildlife as the river winds its way around the base of Katahdin, Maine's tallest mountain.