Explore parts of The County only seen from the water. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is a bucket list paddle for many and it gives all Aroostook paddles the same reputation. Don't be fooled - if you love being on the water and are looking to relax, then you can find that here. Family fun canoe races in the region are the epicenter of the action during high water season and every race is open to all skill levels and prizes are often awarded by skill category. There are some canoe and kayak outfitters in the region and many of the lakefront lodging options feature rentals for guests - simply ask your host!
Most all lakes, large ponds, and rivers offer public boat landings. The areas provide public access to Maine's clean lakes and in many cases are nice picnic areas. Kayaking and paddleboarding are more common on the lakes of Aroostook County while canoeing dominates the overnight adventure explorations of the many rivers here. Popular lakes to paddle include: Nickerson Lake, Pleasant Lake, Portage Lake, Number Nine Pond, Eagle Lake, Long Lake, Square Lake, and Mud Lake. The Fish River Chain of Lakes is a popular paddle destination simply because each lake is connected to the next making it possible to 'lake skip' from one to the next.
Forever Wild, the 92-mile Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine is the United State's most distinguished canoe trips. Henry David Thoreau visited the Allagash region in 1857 guided by two natives of the Penobscot Tribe, Joseph Aitteon and Joe Polis. Native American heritage is found in the names of places throughout the region like Umsaskis Lake and Musquacook Stream. Soon after logging operations boomed in the region, but by The Allagash Wilderness Waterway, established by the State of Maine and part of the National Wild and Scenic River System. But by 1966 the Maine State Legislature and later the U.S. Department of the Interior designated The Allagash Wilderness Waterway as the first National Wild and Scenic River System.
Completed in 2006, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) is a 700-mile water trail from Old Forge, New York to Fort Kent, Maine, that goes through private and public lands. Maine contains more miles of NFCT waters than any other state or province on the trail. The NFCT continues from Chesuncook Lake to the Allagash River as a spectacular ribbon of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams winding through northern Maine and flows into the St John River and to the international eastern terminus of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail in Riverside Park in Fort Kent. The trail follows traditional travel routes used by Native American, settlers and guides. It is the longest inland water trail in the nation.
It consists of the following:
On the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, you can camp in an Adirondack Lean-to and paddle through the High Peaks Wilderness, watch moose from the deep woods of Maine, or branch off for a side adventure of whitewater trips down the Androscoggin River in New Hampshire.
We have mapped 27 water trails for visitors to find their way and get closer to the very best of Maine's Aroostook County. Use the Maine Train Finder maps to get directions to safe parking areas, find take out locations, and paddling distances. These maps are created by real paddlers and never us AI! View Aroostook Paddling Maps Now >
Paddle faster! The region is known for a fun springtime canoe races which are largely just for friendly competition. It is a long standing tradition that every year each participant of the Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race in Houlton brings home a 5# bag of famous Maine potatoes.
Find your Aroostook adventure exploring the miles upon miles of pristine rivers in The County. Relax and grab your paddle, it doesn’t matter if it’s canoeing or kayaking - a day of paddling, laughter, and making memories are the best summer days.
Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Aroostook River
Meduxnekeag River
St. John River
Fun Family Paddles
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