Adventure 16: Outdoor and Travel Outfitters - Since 1963

< Back to Search Results

Maine's Allagash River by Canoe

Canoeing in Maine with Maine Path and Paddle Guides

Highlights

  • The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is a National Wild & Scenic River
  • Paddle class I-II white water
  • Guides do all the cooking
  • Delicious gourmet campfire cooking and baking
  • Wildlife viewing opportunities – see moose, bald eagle, loon, deer, beaver
  • Primitive campsites equipped with fire rings, picnic tables, and privy
  • Allagash Falls – spectacular 40 foot falls – portage and play

Full Description

Paddle through the historic logging country of Maine on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway—this is THE classic Maine Canoe trip.

The trip includes flat water lakes, to mild white water, to views of spectacular Allagash Falls (strictly from the banks!). Explore the pristine north Maine woods. If you really want to experience how your dad or your grandfather might have experienced the North Maine Woods do the Allagash River. Not much has changed over the past 100 years. Maybe a few more or less access points. Fewer camps and cabins for sure. And probably more moose then people. But, the experience is one that creates memories that last a lifetime! Time spent on the Allagash is special.

Explore the North Maine Woods canoeing the waters paddled since man first ventured into this land. When compared to the fast paced world that most experience each day, not much has changed on the Allagash. Come experience what the Allagash means to you. The upper Allagash lakes offer quiet water paddling from one great site to the next. Chase rapids offer the thrill of class II white water that can be run by all. Campsites are well maintained and include picnic tables with ridgepole, fire ring and privy.

On clear nights the sky is filled with brilliant stars. On special nights, we are blessed with the aurora borealis (northern Lights). Enjoy the loons, bald eagle, moose, and all the other wildlife along the waterway. Be sure to include a camera and binoculars! 

We offer 6, 8, and 10 day trips on the Allagash. The 10 day trips start at Chamberlain Bridge for the full 98 mile journey. This includes the upper lakes of Chamberlain, Eagle, and Churchill. The 8 day trip put-in is Indian Stream on the east side of Eagle Lake. It covers approximately 80 miles of the waterway. The 6 day trip begins below Churchill Dam at the start of Chase Rapids a 9 mile stretch of class II rapids. 

Includes:

  • Canoes, paddles, life jackets, bailers, sponges, and maps
  • All camping gear including tents, tarps, camp chairs, coolers, saws, stoves, water purifiers, lanters and all cook and kitchen gear
  • Suggested books and maps relevant to the trip
  • Trip details, what to expect, how to prepare
  • Area lodging information helpful for pre and post trip planning
  • Information about other exciting Maine vacation activities and destinations
  • Knowledge of the Maine outdoors
  • Fishing information – license, regulations, flies, lures, etc.
  • Food and meals
  • Filtered water
  • Transportation to the put-in and from the take-out

Excludes:

  • Trip insurance
  • Airfare
  • Meals during transfers to and from put-ins and take-outs
  • Sleeping bag and pad
  • Quality Rain Gear (important!)
  • Bathing Suite, Towel
  • Camera, Binoculars, Sunglasses, Daypack
  • Two Pairs of Shoes (Water Sandals, Sneakers)
  • Toiletries
  • Extra glasses
  • Water bottle
  • Insect repellent, sun screen, sun glasses, hat
  • Fishing Rod and Tackle (License Required)

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

Meet your guide, gear-up, and head north. It’s a 6+ hour drive to Churchill Dam, our first campsite on the Allagash

Day 2

Break camp, shuttle gear to Bissonnett Bridge, and practice canoe skills. When everyone is ready to go we head down Chase Rapids. The six mile Chase Rapids are run without gear. It is continuous class I-II rapids, lots of thrills… some spills. We arrive at Bissonnette Bridge for lunch and our gear. After lunch we pack our canoes with all of our gear for the entire trip and head back down the river. We typically paddle 9-15 miles before establishing camp.

Day 3

Break camp, pack canoes and paddle. We will cross Long Lake to the dam and then we are back on the river. We typically paddle about 15 miles before camp. Our campsite destination will be Round Pond

Day 4

Break camp, pack canoes and paddle. After paddling across Round Pond we are back on the river and the current this is a remote and beautiful section of the river with lots of chances to see a moose or beaver. Expect to paddle about 12 miles before making camp.

Day 5

Break camp. Pack canoes and paddle. We arrive at the head of the portage trail for Allagash Falls by noon-ish. After hauling the gear and boats we will enjoy lunch and plenty of time to swim and explore the falls. This is a beautiful spot with lots of photo opportunities and lots of great swimming. After lunch and play we pack up and head down to our final campsite. Expect to paddle about 7 miles before Allagash Falls and another 7 miles to our last campsite.

Day 6

Last day on the river. It is about 8 miles to our take-out at Allagash Village. We plan on arriving at noon. After some final photos of the mighty Allagash, we pack up the vehicles and head south. With stops it takes 8-9 hours to drive from Allagash Village to the Portland area.

*Longer Trip Options

This trip Allagash is also offered as an 8- and a10-day trip. The 10-day trips start at Chamberlain Bridge for the full 98 mile journey. This includes the upper lakes of Chamberlain, Eagle, and Churchill. The 8 day trip put-in is Indian Stream on the east side of Eagle Lake. It covers approximately 80 miles of the waterway. The 6 day trip begins below Churchill Dam at the start of Chase Rapids a 9 mile stretch of class II rapids.

Overview

We ask our clients that are flying into Portland or driving long distances, to arrive in the Portland area the night prior to day 1 of our trips. And to ensure making departing flights we as clients to arrange flights the day following the last day of the trip. We are flexible with transportation options, many clients, for many reasons, choose to drive. Let us know if you have special plans regarding transportation and we will work with you.

About The Operator:

Maine Path and Paddle Guides

Headquarters:

Maine

We have been canoeing and camping together for over 20 years. We've taken folks down many of Maine's premier wilderness canoe rivers and lakes. We have gained our leadership experience taking hundreds of clients, families, and friends into the wilds of Maine.

Tim and David are Registered Maine Guides, licensed by the Maine Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife. We are committed to providing a safe, legal and quality wilderness experience. We have spent many moons gaining respect and reverence for the Maine outdoors.

Our philosophy is to provide you with a safe Maine wilderness experience, understanding your abilities and desires. We believe and follow Leave No Trace camping practices, have a deep wilderness ethic and abide by all the laws of the great State O' Maine.

We strive to limit our impact, and act to ensure that the Maine woods remains a sustainable resource for generations.