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

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

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. 

 

Nothern Outdoors--we've been with you every step of the way. It started when my Aunt asked us to go white water rafting with her, pre-helmets and pre-kids. Weeks before we arrived, she found out she was pregnant-LOL-her Dr. told her it was OK--so off we went on our camping-White Water adventure at the Kennebec. We were hooked.

As a combined family, we've made about 8 trips enjoying the Kennebec, Penobscot, and Dead Rivers. We've also experienced lots of different lodging opportunities, from camping to large house/cabin on the lake, to lodge living at the resort. All have been great.

This past trip we shared with our kids--first time two were able to row with us---best time ever. It started with a great dinner with Emily as our waitress. It was unanimous, we loved Emily and the food. The next day we went rafting with Victor as our guide. We love you Victor--knowledgeable, fun, and yes strong (thanks for helping two old ladies back in the raft).

Next time we plan to do two rivers. We can't wait.

Thanks Northern Outdoors for providing us with a lifetime of memories. You rock.

Cheryl M
Hudson, New Hampshite

Rating: 5 *****

Family whitewater rafting adventures in Maine

My husband and I took our 3 boys (16, 14, 12). He was apprehensive about trip. Boys were excited. My 12 yr. old became scared to death walking down the steep stairs at the beginning. We threw him in the boat, and never turned back.

My husband was so surprised at how exciting and fun it was. We all loved it. No fear, just exhiliration! Sandi was our guide. She was a perfect fit for our family. So fun. We loved her!

Have already spread word to friends that they have to put Northern Outdoors on their "bucket list".

We will be back... maybe for the Dead or Penobsquat River.

Kelly P
Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

New England Family Rafting Adventure

My family (six adults and four children) spent July 16th on the Kennebec River with Seamus and Dawn. It was the highlight of our vacation. The young teens actually enjoyed spending time with the "older members" of our family. We'll be back in four years when the younger ones (who couldn't join us this year) will be old enough to paddle the Kennebec. The pictures are fabulous. The guides went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a great time.

I did the Dead River about 29 years ago and it has always been one of my fondest memories.

Keep up the great work!

Joyce E
Passumpsic, VT

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Family Rafting Adventure

My husband and I came up on Friday afternoon with another couple. Due to us booking late and limited availability, we stayed in a lakeside cabin for 12 people on Friday, then had to check out and into the Lodge on Saturday. This turned out great because we would never have booked a cabin for 12 people when it was only 4 of us! Now we KNOW that we LOVE the cabin and we will be back next year with more friends and rent the cabin!

Saturday we went rafting down the Dead River! We had never rafted before and I have to admit, I was a bit nervous! "Down Town Peter Brown" was awesome and told me on the bus ride to the river that my butterflies would soon fade once the adrenaline kicked in, and boy was he right!! He kept us laughing all "10 minutes" of the bus ride and again at the BBQ that afternoon! I was disappointed we were not assigned to him as a guide for our raft! But, my dissappointment faded quickly once we were on the raft with Kim, our guide. She was awesome! She was great at getting us to work as a team paddling, she led us into some great waves but kept us safe at the same time! She made the whole group laugh, including me, when she played a fun prank on me! She was super fun!

After the rafting trip we could not stop laughing during the slide show at the BBQ. The food was great, but the slide show and the commentary done by another guide, I don't know his name, was even better! Totally hilarious! We then went down the street to watch a pumpkin get blown to pieces! Chunks of pumpkin were blown all over the place, it was awesome!

After that we enjoyed the live music by Suzie and the Smelts and the pub. We tried 4 different beers and brought home a Growler! We slept Saturday night upstairs in the lodge. I prefer the cabin, but was glad that all 4 of us could enjoy lots of fresh brewed beer and walk up to our room without having to drive to the cabins. We all had a fun time with lots of laughs the entire weekend!

We will definately be back next year, I am already trying to put together a large group of friends to plan for it! We will tell everyone what a great time we all had and we will see you next year!

Bobbi Jo S
Beverly, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Dead River OctoberFest Raft 'N Brews Weekend

My husband and I have rafted with you a few times many many years ago and finally brought the two boys ages 16 & 18 for their first experience. We all had a great time! The big release on the Dead was awesome. Erika was very friendly and nice and I also wanted to comment on James about how funny and entertaining he was while informing us about the trip ahead of time. It shows that he truly loves his job! He even took it upon himself to tell a funny story while we were all waiting patiently for the pumpkin to blow up during the technical difficulties. You all have a great business going on up there and we do plan to come back for some awesome snowmobiling this winter!! The lodge is beautiful. We loved tenting out right near the river. The only recommendation we have is to maybe have the guide ask everyone if anyone wants to switch positions in the raft part way through to maybe give others a chance to sit in front if they want. We could have spoken up and asked at the time but just didn't and thought maybe the guide could suggest it instead. So thanks for a great experience and I definitely will recommend others to go in the future !

Name: Laurie Webb
City: Readfield
State: ME
Activity: Dead River Rafting
Activity2: Camping
Rating: 5 *****

Absolutely fantastic, the whole shebang: river trip, hospitality, lodging, food, staff, atmosphere ... far exceeded my already high expectations. The cabin was pristine and tranquil, the food was amazing, and the beer of course was freshly brewed and deluxe.

I think I was most impressed with was the staff. Not the usual high-school-maturity multitasked river guide/hash slinging/bus driving burnouts, but a group of enthusiastic, engaging, smart and committed young (and not so young) adults who clearly love what they do.

Added bonus: giant pumpkin end-of-season explosion!

Can't wait to get back.

Pete
Aiea, Hawaii

Rating: 5 *****

Dead River White Water Rafting

The entire experience was surreal. The staff was amazingly helpful and fun. The rafting was probably the highlight of my year. The river was pictureque our guide Mary was relax and in charged and pretty awesome, even though on of our party didnt like to follow instructions. Ill definitely be doing this again I just have to convince my friends living in NYC to take the drive up but once you get there its well worth it.. Big up woodcock and Patridge housing held it down!! stay there!! kenebec in your back yard and few other campsites!!

Marlon D
Brooklyn, New York

Rating: 5 *****

Fall Rafting on the Dead River

We had an awesome adventure(again)!! Great weekend the staff and lodging were top notch. And tell me where else you can raft a world class river and then watch a 500 lb pumpkin get blown to pieces . . . Keep up the great job, see you this winter on the sleds..

Mark R
Walpole, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Dead River White Water Rafting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our GoPro camera team captures the CLOSEUP Fall rafting action on high water Kennebec and Dead River rafting trips Sept 15th and 22nd. This week's video of the week includes both rivers, video boater kayaking (underwater) action, and some tasty Octoberfest brew tasting at Northern's own Kennebec River Brewery post-rafting.

There's still space on the Oct 6th final Dead River and Oct 7 final Kennebec River trips of 2012! For more info on the October 6th Raft n Brews weekend with the last release of the season on the Dead River at 6000CFS and the Kennebec River at 4800CFS, see here:

Raft 'n Brews/ Octoberfest Weekend
Dead River Rafting
Kennebec River Rafting

 

Epic weekend at Northern Outdoors! The good times started when our group arrived on Sept 14 and didn't stop until we left on Sept 17. All the staff was great: super attentive and friendly.

It was like summer camp for adults. Friends, Beer, burgers and a good time! JASON was our Rafting Guide on the Dead river and we had a great time out there on the water. The trail mix was pretty delish too... Thanks Jason!!

The worst part of my trip was having no camera to record the memories! Battery died and I forgot to bring the charger. BUT since they take your pics as you are rafting it was not a huge deal.

Northern Outdoors Rocks my Socks.

Arielle E
Lowell, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Dead River Group Rafting Fun

Russell, you knew about my dunking! The water was warmer than the air. And we all had a ball.

I don't quite know what the rest of the rafters thought of our all-senior woman and female guide raft, but I think we held our own. And it was certainly nice to be plucked out of the water by some of Dan Davis's (!!) rafts guys!

Susan D
Kingfield, Maine

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Huts & Trails Hike and Raft  Adventure

Thanks for the crazy time on the river!! We all had a blast, and the guides in both boats were amazing (thanks Dan L and Blaise!!!!)! From the great food/beers back on land and perfect cabin option for all 10 of us, to the fantastic trip down the Dead (and my inadvertent swim at Big Poplar), the entertainment factor was cranked to the limit!

Thanks again for a great time and accommodating our large group!

Cheers!
Tim

Timothy F
Quincy, Massachusetts
Rating: 5 *****

 

Dead River Bachelor Party Rafting Weekend

We know that whitewater, wilderness, and an honest-to-goodness real microbrewery is indeed a fantastic combination - we get to live that threesome every day from May into October! (We substitute snowmobile trails for whitewater in winter.) Northern Outdoors is not only the only rafting company or adventure resort in Maine with its own microbrewery onsite, but it's the only one in New England, and (sources close to us suggest, but have not confirmed yet), all of the US!

Maine whitewater rafting on the dam-controlled Kennebec, Penobscot, and Dead Rivers rivals the best whitewater anywhere. These rivers are big (4800CFS and more), technical in the right places (think Penobscot Cribworks Class V section!), and offer guaranteed water all season long according to their scheduled dam releases.

Maine has more trees than people. That's a shortcut way to say Maine has vast forests and mountainous regions, along with untouched rivers and pristine lakes that offer unparalleled outdoor recreation adventures. Add to whitewater and wilderness our very own Kennebec River Brewery, featured on the Maine Beer Trail, and located at our adventure resort - and you have a getaway made in heaven for beer enthusiasts and adventurous souls.

Read more about this unqiue brewery, wildernesess and whitewater combination in this our recent press release here.

There's still time to get in on whitewater, wilderness, and the Kenenbec River Brewery - now through October 7th for this season!

 

My Brother and I have been white water rafting ME rivers since the late 1970's...Always with Northern Outdoors. Whether it's the Kennebec, Dead or the "Nob" the experience is incredible.

Northern Outdoors' guides are top of the line and always provide a memorable experience. The meal on the river is first rate and worth the trip by itself just for the scenery while you eat.

Facilities, particularly at The Forks are all you could possibly want. I stongly suggest camping in the wilderness area.

About seven years ago I introduced several of my grandchildren to Northern Outdoors. We now have 3 generations of Savages, friends and extended family on the river for an annual rafting and camping trip. You just can't beat that for quality time !

YEEHAAA !!!!!!!!

Bruce S
Hanson, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Family Rafting

This was our second trip to The Forks for a rafting adventure, this year we topped our trip on Moose Alley with a total of 9 Moose sitings in an hour compared to 7 last trip, we also saw 22 snowshoe hares on a lonely dirt road.

The ride down the Kennebec was just a blast again, Big Momma thru out my wife and Momma of my 2 boys who were with us, it was a shock but seeing as our guide Chris got thrown out too it showed it was not her fault. We will be back next year and may do the Dead river then.

Thanks again for an excellent stay, the staff was superb.

Rick B
East Templeton, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Family Adventure

I want to take the time to thank Northern Outdoors and your staff. My family and I had a lot of fun and a great time. Your resort staff, guides, equipment, training, et. al., were just wonderful. My wife planned and scheduled the trip, and I reluctantly went along. But I can’t lie to you – your whitewater rafting excursion far exceeded all my expectations, and some.

Your river guides were excellent. Our family had Dave, Mary & Trevor. They were polite, professional, well trained, funny, and just all-around great ambassadors of your organization. Your accommodations were outstanding. You were able to satisfied my wife’s glamping style of camping, or glamour clamping – so thank you for that.

Your lodge, bar tender, and sales staff were very friendly to my children, we came with 4 teenage boys – so they are hard to please and more of a handful than we would want to admit, but they were well behaved because of your staff and amenities.

The cookout food on the rafting trip was excellent and hit the spot. You had a fall-back plan because of the rain, to cook back in the bingo hall, which worked out very well. We enjoyed the granola mix and hot chocolate, and the second half of the rapids were fun to relax and swim even during the rain. The sightseeing and spectacular view were outstanding, and we even saw 2 bald eagles.

My teenage boys can’t stop talking about the trip. They thought they were going on forced family fun, and they were – but…….they were surprised by the magnitude of the rapids, the 7,200 fps water surge, and the rough turbulence they faced. They got tossed, beat up, thrown, spit out, and dragged back in, and loved every minute of it. Now my second son, Robbie, wants to forego entrance into the Coast Guard Academy for a year, and train as a whitewater guide and seek employment in your organization. You have him sold on living in a tent, catching fish, and buying a 50 lb. bag of rice to live off of. Wow!

We are already planning on returning either again this year of next. We will do the Penobscot & Dead Rivers, and will coordinate the times. We might even want to go in October and check out the foliage.

We had wonderful food at night in the lodge, the beer was great, and my kids enjoyed the pool, the onion rings, and the hot tub.

In closing, thank you for a wonderful time, and I can’t believe more people don’t take this trip. If they did, they would come back for more. I will try to tell all my friends, and advise them to seek out Northern Outdoors for the time of their lives.

Thank you,
Richard & Janice B

Rich B
Marshfield, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Family Whitewater Adventure

Our party of Canadians grew from 5 last year to 8 this year -- easy to round up three more to fill a raft after the amazing stories from last years trip!

We were lucky enough to have the same guide this year in Mike McConnell -- a true professional!!

The river is amazing, the staff outstanding, facilities first rate (and reasonably priced), beer brewed on site is excellent.

We're coming back next year -- we'd be crazy to not tackle Maytag again but we're also strongly leaning toward doing another raft (or two) of the Dead and Penobscot.

Great work all around, Northern Outdoors!!!

Pete L
Toronto, ON

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Whitewater Rafting

Kennebec River Brewery