Penobscot River RAFTING
– New England’s Best Class V Rafting Trip –
PENOBSCOT RIVER RAFTING (CLASS IV-V)
– Millinocket Maine –
PENOBSCOT RIVER RAFTING OVERVIEW
Trip Length
• 5-7 Hours
Season
• June – August
Minimum Age
• 14 (& min. 100lbs)
Boat Capacity
• 5-9 Passengers
Difficulty
• Class IV-V
Price (per person)
• Monday-Friday: $109.00
• Saturday: $119.00 – $149.00
• Sunday: $119.00 – $129.00
Penobscot River Rafting General Overview:
The Penobscot River Rafting Trip is world renowned for its challenging rapids and stunning views. Your journey will take you through narrow gorges, action packed rapids, and give you a spectacular look at Mount Katahdin, Maine’s Tallest Peak. It is a true Class V Experience by anyone’s standards.
We run this river trip Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays throughout the season. If your group of 10 or more would like to book a trip on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, please call 207-663-2104 and we will set your trip up for you!
Check-In:
Your river trip will be run out of our Penobscot Outpost in Millinocket, ME. Check-in for your Penobscot Rafting Trip starts at 7:30am. After check-in, we outfit you with your river gear: life jackets and helmets are provided, while wet suits and splash jackets are available to rent at a small cost. Lastly, before we take you to the river, all rafters must participate in the Trip Leader’s safety speech.
Your Penobscot River Rafting Adventure:
Your epic day on the river starts at McKay Station. Here you will learn your guide’s commands and practice paddling before charging into Ripogenus Gorge. You’ll be able to look up in amazement at the tall, rock walls that line both sides of the river before descending into Maine’s best Class V rapids.
The adrenaline will be pumping as you paddle through thrilling rapids like Exterminator, Troublemaker, and The Crib Works. Between the thrills are stretches of flat water that allow you to take in the Maine’s amazing scenery, look for wildlife, and hop in for a swim.
Riverside Lunch:
Halfway through your day we will stop at our riverside lunch site. Here, your river lunch will be cooked right in front of you. While you enjoy the meal and the views around you, your guides will start preparing you for the second half of the river trip.
More Rafting:
The first rapid you face after lunch is arguably the most fun place on the Planet. It is called Nesowadnehunk Falls. This section of river features a 13 foot drop over a waterfall that leads into a calm pool of water. The fun here is endless: you can surf, play under a waterfall, and carry your raft upstream to take it over the falls again and again! Many rafters consider this their favorite part of the trip and refer to Nesowadnehunk Falls as a “whitewater playground”.
Your day will continue through a long stretch of water that is perfect for swimming on a hot summer day. For the rest of your trip, you will have unparalleled views of Mount Katahdin. Your day on the river finishes with a fun stretch of 3 Class III and IV rapids before we get to the take out. The day ends with a ride back to the Penobscot Outpost.
Options/Pricing (per person)
- Monday-Friday – $109.00
- Saturday: $119.00 – $149.00
- Sunday: $119.00 – $129.00
What’s Included:
- 13 mile rafting trip on the Penobscot River
- Mid-trip snack
- Mid-trip meal
- Post-trip Video/Photo presentation of trip with option to purchase
What’s Not Included:
- Taxes
- River Access Fees
- Gratuity For Guides And Restaurant Staff
Where Should I stay for my Penobscot River, maine whitewater rafting trip?
Our Penobscot Outpost Bunk Houses are rustic accommodations that offer a level of comfort beyond what you’ll find with the traditional camping set up. These wood structures with weatherproof metal rooms come with 4 – 5 mattresses, fitted sheets, pillows, and cases. They also have a picnic table and fire ring onsite.
Our Cabin Tents are made of canvas and save you the trouble of pitching your own tents. Each Cabin Tent has 4 cots with fitted sheets, pillows and cases. You will also have your own picnic table and fire ring to enjoy.
Camping in the shadow of Katahdin! Our new Penobscot Outpost is the closest campground to Baxter State Park. All campsites come with a fire pit and picnic table. We have campsites to accommodate groups of all sizes:
- Small Campsite = 1 – 4 people
- Medium Campsite = 4 – 8 people
- Large Campsite = 6 – 12 people
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I go whitewater rafting in Maine?
Our Maine whitewater rafting trips take you into New England’s finest wilderness areas and provide you with views you could only get to on a raft! Maine is also one of the few places in the world with guaranteed whitewater rafting trips 7 days per week. Most rivers rely on snowmelt or rainfall to give them enough water to raft on - Maine get’s enough water from its dams to raft every day from May to October. This means the water we raft on is much warmer than other parts of the world - sometimes reaching 70 degrees in July and August. Maine - The Way Rafting Should Be!
How far in advance should I book my rafting trip?
The earlier the better! Especially if you plan on booking lodging with us. While we do take last minute reservations, we strongly suggest that you book your trip as far in advance as possible. We have been able to get people on the river with less than a day's notice, but we prefer to have ample time to arrange guides and logistics for your river trip.
What should we bring?
We outfit you with your life jacket, helmet, and paddle. We also have wet suits and splash tops available to rent. We recommend dry fit, breathable clothing!
Are photos or videos part of the trip?
Every trip either has a photographer or a videographer recording your raft as it goes through the biggest and best rapids of the day! When we get back to base, there is a photo or video presentation where you get to watch yourself conquer the mightiest rapids on the river. For many, the photo/video presentation is one of the highlights of the trip. Afterwards, the photos and videos of your raft are available for purchase in the gift shop. Share your Maine rafting trip memories with your friends on social media and be sure to tag @threeriverswhitewater
What meals are included with the trip?
There is a river lunch included in your trip. You get your choice of burger, veggie burger, fish, chicken, or steak and an assortment of freshly prepared sides like mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, river rice, cole slaw, and our chocolate chip cookies.
NOTE: Guests with special dietary requests should notify us beforehand so we can best accommodate their needs.
How many people can fit in a raft?
All of our rafts are 16 feet long. The maximum number of people in one raft is 10 plus the Registed Maine River Guide. Most rafts end up with 6 to 8 people in them. No matter how many people you end up rafting with, it all comes down to how well you work as a team to paddle through the rapids.
Is rafting fun?
No... it’s SERIOUS FUN! You’ll have a hard time finding a more fun way to spend the day after you have been on one of our Maine white water rafting trips. Think about how much fun you have while on a roller coaster - well it’s even more fun than that! Because instead of just being along for the ride, YOU are a part of the experience.
Is this the right adventure for my family/group?
Most likely, yes! Rafting is fun for everyone and our Registered Maine River Guides will cater the experience on the river to you and your group. The time spent on the river and in these wilderness areas is priceless. And without any cell phones to distract you, you’ll find it to be surprisingly refreshing.
Do I need to have experience to go rafting?
Not at all! Many of our guests are first timers and our Registered Maine River Guides pride themselves on their ability to teach their crews how to work together on the river. You will receive plenty of instruction on safety prior to the trip and there is time to practice paddling before you run any rapids. We LOVE taking first timers down the river and exposing them to our favorite places in the world. If you are an experienced rafter, we recommend our most challenging trip on the Penobscot River.
Can I bring my phone with me on the rafting trip?
It’s not recommended and won’t even have service - and that’s the best part! You will be free of distractions and really get to enjoy the pristine wilderness areas that you’re in. You’ll find that when you unplug for the day, it’s a lot easier to reconnect - with nature, your friends, your family, and yourself.
What if it’s raining on the day I’m supposed to go rafting?
We run our rafting trips 7 days per week - rain or shine! In fact, rafting is probably the most fun thing you can do outside in the rain - you’re gonna get wet anyways!
What sets Three Rivers apart from other rafting companies in Maine?
The Three Rivers Family has the highest standards for safety and guest service. We spend more time and money training our staff than any other outfitter in Maine. Our goal is for you to leave Three Rivers with lifelong memories. Since 1997, our commitment to being the best rafting outfitter in Maine has built our reputation as “The Home of Serious Fun”. But don’t just take our word for it - head to Trip Advisor to see why we have 300 more 5 Star Reviews than any other rafting outfitter in the state