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

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.

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

Last weekend we were delighted to host the Polaris Snowmobiles Terrain Domination Challenge held over two consecutive days, January 12th & 13th, at Northern Outdoors snowmobile resort in The Forks, Maine. Polaris invited two groups of handpicked riders from Canada and U.S. to come to Northern Outdoors to ride a series of 60-mile loops on some of Polaris’s latest sleds, and then sit down with reps to give them feedback. Event participants represented owners of various snowmobile brands, and included folks from HardcoreSledder.com and Sledhead 24/7 TV.  Sledhead 24/7 TV documented the event and is producing a show on it,  scheduled to air later this season.

I came through the area in 2009 on my southbound thru hike of the AT and swore I would return to enjoy all that the resort had to offer.

On this trip I brought my girlfriend , we rented our own cabin which was awesome. We went on a float trip down the Kennebec, the staff were awesome and treated us like a king an queen for the day as we were the only ones going out on the river that day. The supper in the restaurant was awesome and the beer from the brewery was second to none.

I have already recommended the resort to many of my friends, couples, families and the adventurous few. Everyone will enjoy their stay at NO.

We will be back for sure. Thanks!

Peter Mac
Dieppe, New Brunswick

Rating: 4 ****

Maine Adventures

My girlfriend and I recently visited Northern Outdoors for the first time and had an amazing time. Our rafting trip was so much. Not only was our guide super cool but the scenery was beautiful, and our lunch was delicious. We also went on a half-day fishing trip and we had a blast. Our guide knew all the spots and we both caught some fish. We also loved trying the great beers at the brewery after our long days of rafting, fishing and hiking. We will definitely be back.

Jim
New York

Rating: 5 *****

Rafting, fishing, hiking and great Maine beers

Recently I celebrated my wedding at Northern Outdoors Lakeside Cabins site. We met with the Event Planning team on New Years Eve, and got married in September 2012.

The past nine months of planning with Dawn and her team was amazing. Being from Maine and familiar with Northern Outdoors as a rafting and hunting outfit, I wasn't sure what to expect from them in terms of wedding planners. But in the end, ALL of our expectations were met, and often exceeded.

The staff was very warm and fun to work with. The food was great as was the beer we chose from the Kennebec River Brewerey which is located at Northern Outdoors main lodge. Kevin and his staff never said NO.

Our guests will be talking about our wedding for a long time. They couldn't get over the hospitality that Northern provided, from shuttle services, food service and overall positive attitudes. I have received so many compliments on the food offering. The food presentaion was clean and visually stunning. The beer was also a focal point of the wedding as our guests got to try many different flavors responsibly. It isn't very often a couple can reflect on their wedding and be 100% satisfied, but I can honestly say Northern Outdoors will not dissappoint. I would reccomend them to anyone that wants to experience a Maine destination wedding!!

Michael N
Standish, Maine

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Adventure Wedding

Kennebec River Brewery

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

I would like to thank Suzie, Jim Yearwood, Sue Bruce (Suzie and the Smelts), Emily Yearwood and the staff of Northern Outdoors.

We had such a good time at Northern Outdoors from our cabin to the food and drinks at the Lodge. Everyone was wonderful, I would especially like to thank Jim Yearwood for the tour of the Brewery. One of the girls said that if I moved back to The Forks, her and her husband were moving with me because she loved the people here so much.

Thanks again everyone for making this such a wonderful weekend. Brenda and the Girls from Fairpoint

Brenda B
Standish, Maine

Rating: 5 *****

Kennebec River Pub & Brewery

From the moment we arrived at northern outdoors I knew this was going to be a great trip! I've spent a lot of time in Maine doing everything from snowmobiling, atving, fishing, hiking etc... Everything except white water rafting. The staff at northern outdoors make you feel like family from the first moment you walk through the door!

Our rafting guide James made the expiernce even better as we were both a little nervous about the rafting, but James put us at ease and it was a unforgettable expiernce!!! The lunch along the rivers edge was amazing best expiernce we have had in Maine yet and can't wait to return to northern outdoors with the snowmobiles this winter! There's nothing better than a day on the river then returning to the lodge and soaking in the hot tub enjoying one of their own brewery's fresh beers on tap!

Thanks again!

Tom P
Coventry, Rhode Island

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Outdoor Adventures

We have been up to Northern Outdoors three times now. We have done everything from camp with Tents, used our RV/Horse Trailer, and rented their beautiful Town Houses overlooking a private pond. The Facilities are as good as they get for a adventure-focused operation. The main lodge has a HUGE hot tub, heated swimming pool (with indoor in-out for wintertime), and their own Brewery! (We love the whitewater-wheat). The staff is talkative and willing to help in whatever way they can.

The rafting itself could not be any better. The guides are trained and vetted and know the rivers well enough to direct the raft without help of the paddlers at all. The lunch on the Kennebec is outstanding. They cook your steak, chicken, salmon, or Veggie burger right there along with rice and pasta salad. Hydration in the form of water, ice tea, lemonade, hot cocoa and cowboy coffee are also available while on the river.
This is a top-notch operation, and any adventure-seeking family will find all they want at whatever price-level.

We plan on returning to this great week-end getaway (for us) multiple times.

Jess H

East Falmouth, Massachusetts
 

Rating: 5 *****

Family Whitewater Fun

I visited Northern Outdoors facility in the Forks, ME with a friend in July 2012 for a few nights of camping and a day of rafting on the Kennebec. Let me start by saying that I have never been whitewater rafting before so I have no other experiences to compare to, but we had a fantastic time! I don't have a single negative thing to say. Northern Outdoors has a great reputation for being the best and I believe they lived up to that.

Our time on the river was great, we had a blast, lunch on the river oustanding, the whole day was handled beautifully by the staff at NO. We were impressed at how efficiently the staff managed to feed 100 people on the river in 45 minutes, nicely done! The staff there is fantastic, very accomodating and friendly, great with kids.

I was drawn to Northern Outdoors because of their on-site brewery, I am a homebrewer and appreciate good craft beer. Every beer they had on tap was excellent, especially the nut brown ale! The food was very good too. Great atmosphere at the restaraunt as well.

Overall, we had a great experience at Northern Outdoors and will definitley be back with a bigger group! Thanks again!

Name: Shawn McGillveary
City: Agawam
State: MA
Activity: Kennebec River Rafting
Activity2: Camping
Rating: 5 *****

Maine Rafting

Kennebec River Brewery

Growlers' popularity is growing gangbusters over the last 3 years since Maine loosened up it's Growler law.  The Maine Growler Bill passed on September 12, 2009, creating much happiness for local breweries and brewpubs and their devoted patrons. A Growler is half-gallon (64 ounces) glass jug that consumers buy upfront and then refill for a relatively nominal fee. Not only are Growlers a financially fit method of buying and selling your favorite brew, but, they are eco-friendly and a fantastic means of buying local.

So, how do you keep a Growler clean?
To keep your Growler fresh for the next “filler up please,” upon pouring your last savory drop of brew, rinse the thick glass jug with hot water – give it some sturdy swirls – and then dry upside-down. It’s a good idea to wash the cap with hot water as well.

We are pretty big here at KRB at telling our guests to avoid using dish detergent, as it contains surfactants, which are non-biodegradable components that leave behind particles which can (and do) accumulate over time. If you find funkiness (ie: organic matter) in your Growler, don’t fear – but, don’t ignore it either. Give your bottle another hot soak and use a bottlebrush to scrub away the matter.

Those feeling the need for uber-cleaning can use environmentally friendly home-brewing cleaning products like 5-Star PBW (Powered Brewery Wash) (http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/powdered-brewery-wash.html) or try Star San (http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/star-san.html). Northern Brewer carries bottle brushes as well, and we have also found that Sigg's high performance bottle brush works in our Growlers too.

Growlers come in different styles, and can be clear glass or brown glass. Northern Outdoors had clear glass Growlers initially, and we switched over to Brown Growler jugs this season. (Look at our KRB page on FB for more pictures.)

Enjoy that Growler!

Kennebec River Brewery
Our KRB Beers (All are available for Growlers!)
Kennebec River Brewery on Facebook
Raft n Brews: Octoberfest Whitewater Rafting and KRB Weekend
 

This was one of the best getaways ever!! Our guide, David Parker, was awesome. We had so much fun with him. He was funny, entertaining, knowledgable and made sure we had a great time and were safe doing it. We would definitely raft again with him. Loved the brewery and night entertainment. We stayed in a tent and really enjoyed that experience.

Thanks again for a great vacation.

Melissa D
Norton, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Rafting Getaway

New England Adventure Resort

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!

Myself and a great group of friends returned for a second year of rafting and, like last year, chose to reside in a cabin (Tamarack). The quality of the experience from start to finish has again been fantastic. The accommodations, rafting, organization and staff were exceptional.

Abundant quantities of the multiple fine beers were also ingested, another outstanding feature of the trip.

Brewmaster Mike McConnell was our guide both days and was the 'Gold Standard'. Massive thanks, Mike - you 'da man.

We will absolutely return and I highly recommend Northern Outdoors to anyone.

Thank you all for a great experience.

Steve A
Fredericton, NB (Canada)
Rating: 5 *****

Maine Rafting

Kennebec River Brewery

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

I attended a bachelor party last weekend with a group of 12. We arrived on Friday evening and the great experience started with the greeting we received at the lodge. I cannot recall the name of the woman who welcomed us but could certainly tell that she loved her job and felt quite welcomed. The cabin was incredible. Everything was clean, cozy, and was perfect for any group.

Being a first time rafter, I was not quite sure what to expect. Our tour guide Emily was incredible. She made a point to learn our names, what we did, and our level of experience. She was an absolute joy to be around and she even saved a few of us dare devils that thoght it would be a great idea to get out and swim. She is a great asset to your company.

The rafting was enjoyable, the food for lunch that they served us just off the river was great, and the lodge had incredible beers. I have told many people in the past week about my experience and plan to tell many others. I cannot wait to return with another group and hope that Emily is there to be our guide again. Thank you for a memorable experience.

Tim B
Manchester, NH

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Bachelor Party Whitewater Rafting Trip

Kennebec River Pub & Brewery

My husband and I recently spent our honeymoon at the Northern Outdoors Kennebec center. I can't say how impressed I was with the facility, rafting, and staff. Our cabin was immaculate and adorable: the appliances were new, furniture was clean and comfortable, and the bed and bedding were excellent quality. We were pleasantly surprised that staff came to change our towels and tidy up the room each day. The cabin was secluded enough with its own porch and a wooded backdrop, but it was still a quick walk to the lodge.

Each and every staff member that we interacted with during our trip was extremely friendly and helpful (no exaggeration). Of particular note were Elaine (at the front desk) and Dave (rafting guide), who made us feel welcome and safe, and made sure we had fun! Dave was a very skilled guide and provided interesting stories about the rafting history and surrounding area.

The beer at the brewery was awesome, and the food was surprisingly good (although a little heavy). Although I loved the homemade mac and cheese, my only suggestion is to offer more lighter fare options such as salads, yogurts, and whole grains. Otherwise, keep up the good work! We will definitely be coming back in years to come.
Thank you,
The Newlyweds
Shannon and Brendan

Shannon P
San Diego, CA

Rating: 5 *****

Maine cabin rentals

Maine Honeymoon trip

My wife and I had a chance to stay at Northern Outdoors a couple of weeks ago and what a wonderful experience we enjoyed!!.We stayed in one of their rustic cabins which had all natural furniture to help set the relaxing mood for the weekend. We sat by the gas fireplace and watched the snow gently accumulate on the porch outside while we let the stress of the city life melt away with the warm glow of the peaceful Maine woods setting.

The first evening we went down to the BEAUTIFUL main lodge which has a massive rock fireplace and two leather couches to relax on. We met a great couple from VA.who had driven all the way up to ride the snowmobile trails which can be accessed right out of your cabin. We laughed alot about the fact that they were snowmobilers and we were snow shoe'ers.They travel in the fast lane and we choose to travel in the slow lane !! Northern outdoors offers both means of travel: bring your own means of travel or your can rent right there.

I travel a lot as part of my job and I must tell you the meals were DIVINE !! It was like going to a five Star restaurant in the Maine woods. One evening we enjoyed steaks cooked to prefection and the second evening we had their Dijon crusted tenderloins. The meal portions will satisfy any person's appetite,and more. If you have a sweet tooth make sure you save room for their desserts, again you won't be disappointed.

The lodge staff and wait staff at Northern Outdoors were very warm and friendly right from the moment we arrived, we were very impressed with the personal service we received. They couldn't do enough to make our stay more enjoyable. They told us of snow shoeing trails that met our level of experience,(we really enjoyed the trek up to Moxie Falls). After a great day of snowshoeing in the peaceful and quiet Maine woods we retreated to the couches in front of the fireplace and enjoyed a couple of beers (they have their own brewery right there) and reflected on our wonderful experience in the Maine woods.

If your looking for a place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city check out Northern Outdoors they represent the motto: THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE WHEN YOU VISIT MAINE. It's a destination we certainly will be revisting!!!



Henry and Joan M
Augusta, ME

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Adventure Resort

Kennebec River Pub and Brewery