Great Maine Family Vacations Start Here!
You love the outdoors and want nothing more than to share that with your kids. For an adventurous family like yours, Northern Outdoors is the place to introduce them to the wonders of the wilderness in a variety of activities.
Kids Raft for Half Price Weekdays All Summer!
Kids under 18 raft for half price on the Kennebec River and Penobscot River, Monday through Friday, from June – August! Be sure to select the right rafting trip for your kids’ ages, as each trip is different. Need some inspiration? Here are three top family vacation itineraries for a trip to Northern Outdoors!
Not valid for special release Kennebec Turbine Tests or Dead River rafting. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
Kennebec River Rafting
If Your Kids Are 10+
They can raft both the upper and lower sections of the fantastic Kennebec River on this full-day white water rafting adventure. You’ll all enjoy the class 4 rapids of the Upper Gorge, then a wonderful riverside grilled lunch on the beach near Carry Brook. After lunch, kids love to captain their own inflatable kayaks on the friendly and easy-going lower section of the Kennebec River.
If Your Kids Are 8+
Kids eight (8) and up can join you on the Kennebec River Rafting trip and raft & ducky the lower section of the Kennebec. Your younger kids stay with you for the entire pre-trip orientation at the Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort and the bus ride to the dam and Upper Gorge. After waving you off at the put-in, your children are supervised by our support staff for about 1.5 hours while you raft the Upper Kennebec section. They’ll meet up with you at Carry Brook for that tasty grilled lunch.
Penobscot River Rafting
If Your Kids Are 14+
Kids 14 -17 raft the entire amazing Penobscot River, starting with the renowned Class 4 and 4+ whitewater of Ripogenous Gorge through the rip-roaring Crib Works. After the excitement of the top section of the Penobscot, it’s time to catch your breath with an awesome grilled steak, chicken, salmon or vegetarian lunch. Then you’re off to paddle the class 3/4 lower section of the Penobscot River. Watch for moose and osprey in the lower Penobscot as you approach the spectacular views of Mt. Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak, on river left.
If Your Kids Are 12+
Kids 12-13 can raft the lower section of the Penobscot River just after the 2 ½ miles of big class 4+ rapids in Ripogenous Gorge. Northern Outdoors support staff will watch the kids for the approximately one hour after the others put-in at the top of the river. The kids rejoin the group below the Crib Works, in time for that tasty grilled lunch and paddling the class 3/4 lower section of the Penobscot River.
Dead River Rafting
If Your Kids Are 14+
Raft the Dead River in one of only 8 special releases each season. The Dead River is non-stop action with a wide open river and class 4+ rapids. Note: our Kids Half Price Rafting Special only applies to weekday rafting during the summer, so that includes regular releases on the Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers. The Dead River only has spring and fall releases, usually on weekends.
Kennebec Float Trips
If Your Kids Are 8+
For kids eight (8) and up, the Kennebec Float Trip is the ideal river. This gentle, flowing lower section of the Kennebec introduces river rafting to beginners of all ages. Learn more about the Kennebec Float Trip.
Two Locations
KATAHDIN ADVENTURE BASE CAMP
In addition to rafting the Penobscot, take the family hiking in Baxter State Park, ascend Mt. Katahdin and explore the end-point of the Appalachian Trail from our Katahdin Adventure Base Camp near Millinocket, Maine. Throw a fishing line from your Abol Bridge campsite on the Penobscot for world-class fishing, or relax in a lakeside cabin at Big Moose Inn.
NORTHERN OUTDOORS ADVENTURE RESORT
Home base for the Kennebec and Dead Rivers, the adventure resort in The Forks resort also features hiking & ATV trails in summer and fall or the snowmobile trails in winter. Relax by the outdoor swimming pool and hot tub located at the Kennebec River Brewery. Did we mention fishing? We have guided trips for spin cast or fly fishing.
Reviews
The continued professionalism from your group, the entertaining efforts they put out from beginning to end has made a wonderful memory for me, my wife and my 15 year old twins !!
Tommy
LANGHORNE, Pennsylvania
