The Maine wilderness is among the most beautiful places I have experienced, from the captivating mountains to the raging rivers and the wildlife, and yet there’s so much more that Maine has to offer, like Acadia National Park and its stunning coastline, as well as some of the best hiking trails in the country. In the winter, much of Maine is covered in thick snow which makes it a skiing hot spot, but in the summer the state offers visitors a thriving world of adventure sports. And no one does it better than Northern Outdoors, an adventure resort located in The Forks, Maine.
Northern Outdoors is among the most versatile of basecamps for a myriad of adventure spots, and vacation fun, because they offer just about everything your heart might desire; and then some. The main building of Northern Outdoors is a luxurious cabin-style facility with a restaurant, bar, game room, gear store, and more, with an attached deck with a hot tub, pool, drinking games and more. On the grounds are private cabins in sizes ranging from sleeping 2 people and up to 14 people, as well as logdominiums (Maine-style condos), a campground and RV sites, as well as a large private pond with kayaking opportunities. But that’s not all, as they say, because there is an in-house brewery, complete with growing hops.
As far as whitewater rafting goes, they run along three famous rivers in Maine, the Kennebec River, the Penobscot River, and the Dead River, which range in intensity from class 3 to 5. But if that’s not your cup of tea, they also have scenic river floats which are perfect for family vacations with children. Beyond their famous whitewater rafting trips, Northern Outdoors offers ATV trails, fly fishing, bass fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling, too. For those who are tackling the Appalachian Trail, they even have a Katahdin Adventure Base Camp.
As far as whitewater rafting goes, they run along three famous rivers in Maine, the Kennebec River, the Penobscot River, and the Dead River, which range in intensity from class 3 to 5. But if that’s not your cup of tea, they also have scenic river floats which are perfect for family vacations with children. Beyond their famous whitewater rafting trips, Northern Outdoors offers ATV trails, fly fishing, bass fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling, too. For those who are tackling the Appalachian Trail, they even have a Katahdin Adventure Base Camp.
My newlywed wife, Leah and I, had the pleasure of staying a night in one of their cozy cabins, dubbed the River Driver, which was more than accurate, considering we were the front persons in our whitewater rafting trip. We met at the lodge at 8 AM, went through the safety precautions and paperwork, before gathering in a large van that took us up to a nearby dam, which was the starting point of our 12 mile trip along the Kennebec River. Starting out, you’re bombarded with class 3 waves right off the bat, which continue rolling for miles as you head down one of the most stunningly beautiful gorges at high speed. We hit a class 4, named Big Mama and the three sisters, which sent exhilarating cool water over our entire raft, taking the breath out of my lungs, but it was quite the adrenaline rush. Leah and I fared well, though, only bumping into each other a couple times through the chaos, and thankfully never falling out of our boat.
The trip was full of high highs until it was time to break for lunch at Northern Outfitters’ private beach spot, which came as majority of the rapids eased. The guides of our two boats came together over their outdoor kitchen and cooked some of the best salmon we had on the trip, while others ate either steak, chicken or veggie burgers. It was a welcome respite, because my shoulders and knees were definitely feeling the wear of the river in them. Five minutes after boarding, we pulled over to a hidden gem of fairy pools, where we jumped off a cliff and into a deep clear pool of water, which only added to the exhilaration of the trip. From there on, the river simmered down a bit, which made for a relaxing end to an adrenaline-pumping morning. Within 5 minutes of departing the river, we were back at the lodge, with their local beer in hand.
The trip was full of high highs until it was time to break for lunch at Northern Outfitters’ private beach spot, which came as majority of the rapids eased. The guides of our two boats came together over their outdoor kitchen and cooked some of the best salmon we had on the trip, while others ate either steak, chicken or veggie burgers. It was a welcome respite, because my shoulders and knees were definitely feeling the wear of the river in them. Five minutes after boarding, we pulled over to a hidden gem of fairy pools, where we jumped off a cliff and into a deep clear pool of water, which only added to the exhilaration of the trip. From there on, the river simmered down a bit, which made for a relaxing end to an adrenaline-pumping morning. Within 5 minutes of departing the river, we were back at the lodge, with their local beer in hand.
Our cabin, the River Driver, was a cozy, small 2-person cabin that was set back in behind the main lodge, which still gave us the feeling of privacy. The cabin was outfitted with a kitchenette, a queen bed, private bathroom, and was the perfect romantic spot for a couple on their honeymoon. We really enjoyed our time at Northern Outdoors, and will forever cherish it as a highlight from our trip in Maine.
Northern Outdoors
Old Canada Road Scenic Byway
1771 US Route 201
The Forks, Maine 04985
207-663-4466
www.northernoutdoors.com
If you would like to learn more about Northern Outdoors, click here.
Northern Outdoors
Old Canada Road Scenic Byway
1771 US Route 201
The Forks, Maine 04985
207-663-4466
www.northernoutdoors.com
If you would like to learn more about Northern Outdoors, click here.
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