I've been up to Millinocket with Northern Outdoors a couple of times.

The last time I did the Dead it we used a different company, it was my first time rafting and it wasn't quite the experience I'd hoped it would be. I went back to the Dead with Northern Outdoors and was extremely pleased with the whole experience.

The river was a blast, the guides (some I remember from my Penobscot trips) are outgoing, patient and extremely helpful. The brew pub with foosball, a pool table and the most delicious porter going is quite a bonus during a camping excursion.

I'll be back later in the season to run down the Kennebec, see you soon.

Joel
Providence, Rhode Island

Rating: 5 *****

Dead River Rafting, Maine

Kennebec River Pub & Brewery

My fiance and I took a trip to Northern Outdoors on the opening weekend of spring/summer. We had randomly found the place online when we were looking for wedding venues. While we are both originally from Maine, neither of us had heard of it prior to this day.

Upon arriving we were a little shocked that there was very little to no cell phone service while we were there but decided it wasn't much of a con, it just happened to be a bonus to getting away from the city as we both currently reside in Boston.

We met with Dawn at the lodge and she was awesome and asnwered all of our questions and then we stayed over for the night. The cabins were extremely nice and cozy, there's a lake onsite which allowed for fishing to be close by and the lodge was very accommodating. We had the opportunity to play baggo, shoot some pool, play video games in the arcade room and of course hang out at the bar and watch the Kentucky Derby followed by watching the Bruins play. (Bad outcome to that game).

The drinks were reasonably priced, the food was great and also priced well and as for the beer, I highly recommend the Porter. However take into account it's about 9% alcohol by volume. We were unaware of this prior to consuming our fair share and it made for a rough morning that didn't include our goal of hiking. But overall the place is amazing and they sold us on having our wedding reception there. And now we can't wait to go back.

Matthew C
Revere, MA

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Adventure Wedding Venue

Northern Outdoors did an excellent job facilitating training on the Ropes course. The debriefings at the end of each activity were meaningful to the work the Peer Mentors do on campus. The PMs came away from the challenge course with a strengthened group bond and a confidence in their individual abilities to contribute to the team.

Ending the day with a kayaking trip down the river was the perfect way to celebrate what Northern Outdoors helped the students accomplish.

Heidi H
Maine

Rating: 5 *****

Student Peer Leadership Programs

We drove about 5 hours up with a total of 10 guys for my brother’s bachelor party and it was absolutely worth it.

The staff is friendly and incredibly helpful, the food is great, the beer is flawless, and the lodging (Timberdoodle) was clean, and more than adequate. Two people deserve to be recognized for outstanding service- Dawn and Emily. Dawn went out of her way to accommodate our mistaken reservation and even brought in another rafting guide to help us (again, it was our mistake). In addition, she was humorous, and a good sport and was able to handle some of the less than tactful guys in our group after they had a number of cocktails.

Our rafting guide, Emily, was equally confident and knowledgeable on the river. She kept us entertained and laughing down the many miles of the Dead River.

I would absolutely recommend Northern Outdoors for a bachelor party, or to anyone who is looking for an active getaway serviced by a professional, entertaining group of people.

Jason M
Auburn, NH

Rating: 5 *****

Bachelor Party Weekend Adventure

Dead River Rafting

This was our second summer camping and rafting with Northern Outdoors. We had great conditions, and b/c it was so early in the season, basically had the campground to ourselves. Fantastic weekend all around. Great trip down the dead, great food at the pub, super friendly staff.

Loved it.

Alexandra S
Charlestown, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Camping and Rafting

My organization has been coming to Northern Outdoors for the past several years for staff training and team building activities, but this was my first year experiencing it.

The facilities are clean and accommodating, the staff are friendly and helpful, and the service is top notch. Russell and Emily, our guides, were fantastic with working with the needs of our group and creatively thinking outside the box so that our whole team could have an optimal experience. We were able to have a well-rounded day of fun with both Adventure Bound activities, followed by a ducky kayaking trip down the Kennebec.

We can't wait to go back next year!

RB
Waterville, Maine

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Teambuilding programs

Hi Elaine,

I want to thank you and the staff at Northern Outdoors for treating Wagner Forest Management so well the past few days. The accommodations, the food and the weather were great.

Please let all the folks involved that all things were very good and appreciated. I’m sure we will be returning to Northern Outdoors for our training  location  another spring.

Jerry.

Wagner Forest Management, Maine

Corporate Retreats and Meetings

Northern Outdoors recently launched an all new, mobile-friendly website showcasing our expanded Maine hunting and fishing trip offerings. The first website was - well, the very first website ever for our hunting trips. It stayed that way for a few more years than we care to admit! So, you can imagine how nice it is to have a brand spanking new, mobile-friendly website that works on any device you care to use, from smart phones to tablets to laptops, notebooks, and desktops! Ok, on to the real info - about the kinds of hunting and fishing trips Northern Outdoors offers.

Hunting is a time-honored tradition in Maine's North Woods, and Northern Outdoors has become Maine's #1 Hunting Outfitter & Lodge over the four decades of our operations. Beginning in 1976, Northern offered fall deer hunts for Maine's renowned trophy whitetail deer, and expanded into fishing soon thereafter. In fact, the inventor of the famous Banjo Minnow is none other than Wayne Hockmeyer, co-founder of Northern Outdoors.  

In fact, not many of our rafting and snowmobiling guests may actually know that Northern Outdoors is one of the top ten trophy whitetail deer hunting outfitters in all of North America. With traditions like these,we are indeed pleased to showcase an expanded commitment to hunting and fishing through our newly launched, mobile-friendly website at Mainedeerhunting.com. In addition to Trophy Buck Hunting, are also excited to introduce custom bird & small game hunts and moose hunting in 2013. The new website features information on all Maine’s hunting seasons: Whitetail Deer, Moose, Bird and Small Game, as well as information on Bass, Trout, & Landlocked Salmon fishing seasons. All-inclusive professional Guided Deer Hunting packages start at $1050 for a week, $600 for 3 day Deer Hunts. Upland Bird Hunts start at $400 for a full day for 1-2 hunters.

"Northern Outdoors has a tradition of serving serious trophy whitetail deer hunters for almost 40 years. Our Maine Master Guides, full-service hunting lodge, and tremendous location in western Maine, home to Maine’s famous trophy bucks, cause hunters to return year after year to hunt with us." - says Russell Walters, President, Northern Outdoors. 

We have also expanded our offerings for both serious and novice anglers by partnering with local guide service Kennebec River Anglers to offer first class bass fishing and fly fishing trips. These trips include Professional Registered Maine Guides, all gear, transportation, and more. They start at $179pp for half day trips and $350-$400 for full day trips. Anglers choose between fishing for Maine’s famous fighter - the smallmouth bass, or spectacular fly fishing for trout and landlocked salmon in western Maine’s rugged Kennebec and Dead Rivers. 

Read the full press release here, about our new website and expanded hunting and fishing trips. 

Also, visit our new website at MaineDeerHunting.com to see for yourself what kinds of hunting and fishing you can do in western Maine. 

The MDIWF (State of Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) reports that the 2012 Maine whitetail deer season ended with a total harvest of 21,365 deer, representing an increase of 13% over the 2011 harvest of 18,839. Increases in the harvest were seen in all wildlife management districts. The highlight of the 2012 season, and testament to the recovering deer numbers, was the jump in the overall harvest of bucks between 2011 and 2012. A total of 15,271 adult bucks were harvested in Maine this past season, representing an increase of 2,473 deer over the 2011 season (i.e., 19% increase). Indeed, the overall buck harvest increased within all 29 Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs).

The health of the deer herd is good news for Maine’s hunting community, and it's good for hunting outfitters too. At Northern outdoors, we are pround of our 40 year tradition of Trophy Whitetail Deer Hunting and are pleased to showcase our expanded commitment to hunting and fishing through a newly launched, mobile-friendly website, at www.Mainedeerhunting.com. In addition to Trophy Buck Hunting, we are also excited to introduce this year custom bird & small game hunts and, moose hunting.   The new website features information on all Maine’s hunting seasons, Whitetail Deer, Moose, Bird, and Small Game, as well as information on bass, trout, & landlocked salmon fishing seasons. All inclusive professionally guided deer hunt packages start at $1050 for a week, $600 for 3 day hunts.

Jim Yearwood, Vice President noted “This past winter did not stress the deer population significantly, we believe this only supports the continued growth of Maine’s deer population in 2013. It's great news for sportsmen planning to hunt in Maine.”

About Northern Outdoors:

Established in 1976, Northern Outdoors has a 40-year tradition of Trophy Whitetail Deer Hunting from its lodge in The Forks. Northern Outdoors is a four-season adventure resort and winner of Yankee Magazine's 2011 Best New England Adventures Award. In addition to hunting and fishing, Northern Outdoors offers whitewater rafting, hiking, and ATV rentals in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. The resort includes private cabins, riverside camping, and the Kennebec River Brewery, featured on the Maine Beer Trail. Northern Outdoors is located 2.5 hours from Portland Maine, 2.5 hours from Quebec City, Canada, and 4 hours from Boston, on Route 201, The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway.

Everything you need to enjoy a couple days of sledding it right there! Our machines were first rate, lodging was nice, restaurant fare was good and pricing was fair. You really can't ask for more. We didn't feel crowded, the staff was more than helpful.

Honestly a good well run business. I look forward to returning.

Phil P
Worton, Maryland

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Snowmobile Rentals

Maine Snowmobile Resort

Plenty of snow everywhere and the riding is sublime right now! Check our Northern Outdoors Facebook page  for daily grooming reports.

• ITS 86 HEADING EAST FROM BERRY’S STORE TOWARD GREENVILLE AND ROCKWOOD   Intown section has good snow, but can get beat up quickly because of heavy traffic. Once just a mile out of town, things improve. Boise Road is great. Power Line section near Moxie Pond is flat (you know things are good when the Power Line is flat). There is a 2 mile section of plowed road around Moxie Pond, due to logging. Good snow cover over 95% of it . . . . only about 100 yards at the dam where you will be scratching some dirt. Rest of the way toward Greenville on ITS 86 and toward Rockwood on ITS 88 are in fine shape.
• ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM  Divide Road section is in great shape. Short woods sections around Pleasant Pond and Moore’s Bog have plenty of snow and are good going. Check out the 3 mile groomed spur trail to the Moxie Mountain Lookout. Great views of the Kennebec River Valley, Sugarloaf/USA and the Bigelow Range.
• PLEASANT POND TRAIL  Great ride with plenty of snow all the way through.
• BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL FROM ITS 87 TO ITS 86  Great ride and plenty of snow all the way through.
• BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL HEADING TOWARD BLANCHARD  Great riding.
• KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL FROM NORTHERN OUTDOORS TO WEST FORKS  Good ride all the way through. A little rough the last 1 mile into town.

For day riders, there is a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT  at Northern Outdoors on Route 201. The lot is very large, well plowed and will accommodate large trailers. A groomed trail from the parking lot directly accesses ITS 87 or the Kennebec River Trail.  Gas (91 oct), food and trail maps are available at NO.  Look for the large PARK AND RIDE sign on Route 201, just before Northern Outdoors main lodge

Jim Yearwood
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club

Over a foot of snow has fallen in The Forks area in the past week. More coming Wednesday / Thursday. Plenty of snow everywhere and the riding is great right now! Check our Northern Outdoors Facebook page for daily grooming updates.

• ITS 86 HEADING EAST FROM BERRY’S STORE TOWARD GREENVILLE AND ROCKWOOD   Because of very heavy traffic, intown section is rough and can always use more snow. Once just a mile out of town, things improve greatly. Boise Road is great. Short ½ mile Power Line section near Moxie Pond is not bad at all . . . . just a couple minor rough spots. There is a 2 mile section of plowed road around Moxie Pond, due to logging. Good snow cover over 95% of it . . . . only about 100 yards or so at the dam where you will be scratching dirt. Rest of the way toward Greenville on ITS 86 and toward Rockwood on ITS 88 are in fine shape.
• ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM  Divide Road section is in great shape. Still a little thin on the very short woods sections around Pleasant Pond and Moore’s Bog. There is a 1/2 mile section around the south side of Moxie Mountain, that is severely windblown. Recent snows have really helped, but you can still scratch a rock or two through there. Check out the 3 mile groomed spur trail to the Moxie Mountain Lookout. Great views of the Kennebec River Valley, Sugarloaf and the Bigelow Range.
• PLEASANT POND TRAIL  Great ride with plenty of snow all the way through.
• BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL FROM ITS 87 TO ITS 86  Great ride and plenty of snow all the way through.
• BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL HEADING TOWARD BLANCHARD  Great riding.
• KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL FROM NORTHERN OUTDOORS TO WEST FORKS  Good ride all the way through. A little rough the last 1 mile into town.

 For day riders, there is a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT  at Northern Outdoors on Route 201. The lot is very large, well plowed and will accommodate large trailers. A groomed trail from the parking lot directly accesses ITS 87 or the Kennebec River Trail.  Gas (91 oct), food and trail maps are available at NO.  Look for the large PARK AND RIDE sign on Route 201, just before Northern Outdoors.

Jim Yearwood
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club

We received around 6” of snow in The Forks area last night. More in some spots . . . a little less in town and along the Kennebec River. This will add to the good conditions we already had and make things even better! Lots of people out there enjoying the trails this week. For the rest of the week, both Tuckers are scheduled to groom Wed, Thurs, Friday and Saturday nights.
 

• ITS 86 HEADING EAST FROM BERRY’S STORE TOWARD GREENVILLE AND ROCKWOOD   Because of heavy traffic, intown section is rough and can always use more snow. Once just a mile out of town, things improve greatly. Boise Road is great. Short ½ mile Power Line section near Moxie Pond is not bad at all . . . . just a couple minor rough spots. There is a 2 mile section of plowed road around Moxie Pond, due to logging. Good snow cover over 95% of it . . . . only about 100 yards or so at the dam where you will be scratching dirt. Rest of the way toward Greenville on ITS 86 and toward Rockwood on ITS 88 are in fine shape.
• ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM  Divide Road section is in great shape. Still a little thin on the very short woods sections around Pleasant Pond and Moore’s Bog. There is a 1/2 mile section around the south side of Moxie Mountain, that is severely windblown. Last nights snow helped, but it’s still a little scratchy through there. Check out the 3 mile groomed spur trail to the Moxie Mountain Lookout. Great views of the Kennebec River Valley, Sugarloaf and the Bigelow Range.
• PLEASANT POND TRAIL  Great ride with plenty of snow all the way through.
• BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL FROM ITS 87 TO ITS 86  Great ride and plenty of snow all the way through.
• BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL HEADING TOWARD BLANCHARD  Great riding.
• KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL FROM NORTHERN OUTDOORS TO WEST FORKS  A little thin in spots and snirt here and there, but not bad at all. Worst of it is the last 1 mile into town.

For day riders, there is a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT  at Northern Outdoors on Route 201. The lot is very large, well plowed and will accommodate large trailers. A groomed trail from the parking lot directly accesses ITS 87 or the Kennebec River Trail.  Gas (91 oct), food and trail maps are available at NO.  Look for the large PARK AND RIDE sign on Route 201, just before Northern Outdoors.

Jim Yearwood
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club

We are on our regular grooming schedule on all 100 miles of our trail system and the trails are in very good shape, for the most part. It was windy during last weeks storm, so there are a few windblown spots here and there where the snow didn’t accumulate much. Also have to be careful for icy corners as the snow gets ridden out of the turns. All in all, the riding is really enjoyable! Looks like the potential for more snow coming on Saturday.
 

• ITS 86 HEADING EAST FROM BERRY’S STORE TOWARD GREENVILLE AND ROCKWOOD   Because of heavy traffic, intown section is rough and can always use more snow. Once just a mile out of town, things improve. Boise Road is great. Short ½ mile Power Line section near Moxie Pond is not bad at all. A little windblown in spots, so the tops of a few rocks are showing. There is a 2 mile section of plowed road around Moxie Pond, due to logging. Good snow cover over 90% of it . . . . only about 200 yards at the dam where you will be scratching dirt, and a couple sunburned patches elsewhere that are easy to avoid. Rest of the way toward Greenville on ITS 86 and toward Rockwood on ITS 88 are in fine shape.
• ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM  Divide Road section is in great shape. Still a little thin on the very short woods sections around Pleasant Pond and Moore’s Bog. Also a few small sunburned patches here and there. There is a 1/2 mile section around the south side of Moxie Mountain, that is severely windblown. Pretty scratchy through there, but you can stay on snow with some “bobbing and weaving”. Check out the 3 mile groomed spur trail to the Moxie Mountain Lookout. Great views of the Kennebec River Valley, Sugarloaf/USA and the Bigelow Range.
• PLEASANT POND TRAIL  Great ride with plenty of snow all the way through.
• BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL FROM ITS 87 TO ITS 86  Great ride and plenty of snow all the way through.
• BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL HEADING TOWARD BLANCHARD  Good riding.
• KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL FROM NORTHERN OUTDOORS TO WEST FORKS  A little thin in spots and snirt here and there, but not bad at all. Worst of it is the last 1 mile into town.

For day riders, there is a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT  at Northern Outdoors on Route 201. The lot is very large, well plowed and will accommodate large trailers. A groomed trail from the parking lot directly accesses ITS 87 or the Kennebec River Trail.  Gas (91 oct), food and trail maps are available at NO.  Look for the large PARK AND RIDE sign on Route 201, just before Northern Outdoors.

Jim Yearwood
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club

Just got home from spending 3 days up at Northern Outdoors and already trying to figure out how to do it again before the season ends!!

Just like always we had an awesome time and were treated like gold by the great staff at the lodge.Managed to put on 400 miles on the sleds in two days,the trails were outstanding!

Thank you... Great job..

Mark R
Walpole, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Snowmobiling

The 8” of snow we received on Saturday was just what the doctor ordered. Snowing hard again right now . . . . supposed to get 2” – 4” more tonight. We are on our regular grooming schedule on all 100 miles of our trail system and the trails are back in very good shape, for the most part. It was windy during the storm, so there are a few windblown spots here and there where the snow didn’t accumulate and ice is prevalent. Also have to be careful for icy corners as the snow gets ridden out of the turns.
 

• ITS 86 HEADING EAST FROM BERRY’S STORE TOWARD GREENVILLE AND ROCKWOOD   Because of heavy traffic, intown is rough and can always use more snow. Once just a mile out of town, things improve. Boise Road is great. Short ½ mile Power Line section near Moxie Pond is not bad at all. A little windblown in spots, so the tops of a few rocks are showing. There is a 2 mile section of plowed road around Moxie Pond, due to logging. Go slow through there. Rest of the way toward Greenville on ITS 86 and toward Rockwood on ITS 88 are in fine shape.
• ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM  Divide Road section is in great shape. Still a little thin on the very short woods sections around Pleasant Pond and Moore’s Bog. There is a one mile section around the south side of Moxie Mountain, that is severely windblown. A lot of gravel and ice through there. You can avoid this section by using the Bald Mountain Trail and the Pleasant Pond Trail.
• PLEASANT POND TRAIL  Great ride all the way through. We recommend this route going to and from Bingham area, to avoid the windblown section mentioned in the first bullet point.
• BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL FROM ITS 87 TO ITS 86  Great ride all the way through.
• BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL HEADING TOWARD BLANCHARD  Good riding.
• KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL FROM NORTHERN OUTDOORS TO WEST FORKS  Still a little thin in spots, but not bad at all. Worst of it is the last 1 mile into town. The big hill off the Flood Road is very icy . . . . use caution.

For day riders, there is a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT  at Northern Outdoors on Route 201. The lot is very large, well plowed and will accommodate large trailers. A groomed trail from the parking lot directly accesses ITS 87 or the Kennebec River Trail.  Gas (91 oct), food and trail maps are available at the main lodge.  Look for the large PARK AND RIDE sign on Route 201, just before Northern Outdoors.

Jim Yearwood
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club

So what are the advantages of having an expert, professional snowmobile guide to show you all the best places to ride in The Forks Maine?

A LOT, it turns out!  Great trails, great terrain, best scenic views (picture opps!), best lunch spots, and you will never get lost - guaranteed. In a terrain set called a "Snowmobilers' Paradise" by SuperTrax International, covering 150 miles locally with access to Maine's renowned 13,00+ miles of ITS trail system, we know that expert guides make a lot of sense.

Here's our latest winter video about guided snowmobile touring in The Forks Maine with Northern Outdoors and Backcountry Expeditions.

Have fun - and come on up! We're getting a wicked nor'easter now and the 2013 snowmobile season is on Reset and Go!

Visit Northern Outdoors Guided Tours here.
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Resort
Kennebec River Brewery

Trails are very hard and very icy in spots. Good news is that there is still riding if you want to get out there. Not recommended to cruise along at 60 mph, but if you want to get out and ride and enjoy the scenery, you can. Just pick your spots and watch out for hazards such as water channels across trail, ice, exposed rocks.  Looks like a good storm coming through on Friday night / Saturday.  Groomers are scheduled to go out Saturday night so things should improve greatly.

•    ITS 86 HEADING EAST FROM BERRY’S STORE TOWARD GREENVILLE AND ROCKWOOD   Intown trail is very poor. Water holes that need to freeze up and lack of snow. Trail is also poor for a couple miles heading out of town. Once on the Boise Road, things improve. Short ½ mile Power Line section near Moxie Pond is very poor. There are 2 miles of plowed road around Moxie Pond due to logging. One and one half miles of this is glare ice. The other ½ mile is down to gravel (around the dam at Moxie). Rest of the way after the plowed section still has decent snow. To go to and from the Greenville area we recommend using ITS 87, the Pleasant Pond Trail and the Bald Mountain Trail. This is longer, but will generally keep you on decent snow and avoid the Power Line and plowed road.
•    ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM  Divide Road section has decent snow. Thin with rocks and stumps poking through on the short woods sections near Pleasant Pond and Moore’s Bog. Bare ground for almost a mile section on the south side of Moxie Mountain. ITS 87 is not recommended south of the Pleasant Pond Trail intersection.
•    PLEASANT POND TRAIL  Decent snow all the way through. As mentioned in first bullet point, we recommend this route to travel to and from Greenville area.
•    BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL FROM ITS 87 TO ITS 86  Decent snow most of the way.  
•    BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL  Not sure how this has held up on the Blanchard end. Check with Guilford club (4 Winds).
•    KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL FROM NORTHERN OUTDOORS TO WEST FORKS  Not recommended. Lack of snow and one very steep hill with severe ice (Flood Road Hill).

Bottom line is that we got what we got, and have to make due with it. Again, the conditions are marginal until we get more snow. But, if you want to get out and ride you can. Just pick your places to ride and be careful.

For day riders, there’s a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT at Northern Outdoors on Route 201. The lot is very large, well plowed and will accommodate large trailers. A groomed trail from the parking lot directly accesses ITS 87 or the Kennebec River Trail. Gas (91 oct), food and trail maps are available at NO.  Look for the big PARK AND RIDE sign on Route 201, just before Northern Outdoors.

Jim Yearwood
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club

IMPORTANT TRAIL NOTICE: To ride into or out of Northern Outdoors, use the marked and groomed detour on the Kennebec River Trail and the Divide Road. The regular access trail behind the lodge has very severe ice on the hills and is not recommended. To leave Northern Outdoors, follow the Kennebec River Trail for 1 mile. At the one mile mark you will see a sign that directs you across Route 201 and up the Divide Road to ITS 87

IMPORTANT TRAIL ACCESS NOTICE: To ride into or out of Northern Outdoors, we strongly recommend using the marked and groomed detour on the Kennebec River Trail and the Divide Road. The regular access trail behind the lodge has very severe ice on the hills and is not recommended. An experienced rider with picks could do it, but we recommend the detour. To leave Northern Outdoors, follow the Kennebec River Trail for 1 mile. At the one mile mark you will see a sign that directs you across Route 201 and up the Divide Road to ITS 87

The heavy rain put a severe hurt on our trails. Things are still draining out and freezing back up. Hazards are everywhere . . . . ice, water channels across trail, standing water, stumps/rocks poking through. Trails are very hard and very icy in spots. Good news is that there is still riding if you want to get out there. We don't recommended you cruise along at 60 mph, but if you want to get out and ride and enjoy the scenery, you can. Just pick your spots.

·        ITS 86 HEADING EAST FROM BERRY’S STORE TOWARD GREENVILLE AND ROCKWOOD   Intown trail is very poor. Water holes that need to freeze up and lack of snow. Trail is also poor for a couple miles heading out of town. Once on the Boise Road, things improve. Short ½ mile Power Line section near Moxie Pond is very poor. There are 2 miles of plowed road around Moxie Pond due to logging. One and one half miles of this is glare ice. The other ½ mile is down to gravel (around the dam at Moxie). Rest of the way after the plowed section still has decent snow. To go to and from the Greenville area we recommend using ITS 87, the Pleasant Pond Trail and the Bald Mountain Trail. This is longer, but will generally keep you on decent snow and avoid the Power Line and plowed road.

·        ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM  Divide Road section has decent snow. Thin with rocks and stumps poking through on the short woods sections near Pleasant Pond and Moore’s Bog. Bare ground for almost a mile section on the south side of Moxie Mountain. ITS 87 is not recommended south of the Pleasant Pond Trail intersection.

·        PLEASANT POND TRAIL  Decent snow all the way through. As mentioned in first bullet point, we recommend this route to travel to and from the Greenville area.

·        BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL FROM ITS 87 TO ITS 86  Decent snow most of the way.  

·        BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL  Not sure how this has held up on the Blanchard end. Check with Guilford club (4 Winds).

·        KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL FROM NORTHERN OUTDOORS TO WEST FORKS  Not recommended. Lack of snow and one very steep hill with severe ice (Flood Road Hill).

 Bottom line is that we've got what we've got for now, and have to make do with marginal conditions until we see more snow. But, if you want to get out and ride you can. Just pick your places to ride and be careful.

 For day riders, there’s a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT at Northern Outdoors on Route 201. The lot is very large, well plowed and will accommodate large trailers. A groomed trail from the parking lot directly accesses ITS 87 or the Kennebec River Trail. Gas (91 octane), food and trail maps are available at the main lodge.  Look for the big PARK AND RIDE sign on Route 201, just before Northern Outdoors.

 Jim Yearwood

Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club

My husband and I stayed at Northern Outdoors for the snowmobiling reciprocal weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The staff is unbelievable and they went our of their way to make our stay wonderful!! We chatted with several staff and found they all have been working at the Lodge for a long time and love their jobs. We will definitely become return customers.
Thank You!

Carol S
Monson, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Snowmobiling Getaway