The Best Outdoor Adventures In Maine

Traditionally, Maine has been one of those places that seems to sit just slightly out of reach.

Physically, it’s located way, way up in the northeast, and in that sense, it’s not a place people pass through and get to know naturally. Mentally, it may seem even farther removed, existing in the shadow of the region’s big cities, without the fanfare required to become a media darling here in the 21st century.

But the pandemic may be paving a way for a new era of Maine travel. With people now actively seeking out lesser-visited wilderness areas, the state has, at least as far as the numbers are concerned, received renewed attention.

Acadia National Park, located along the state’s east coast, announced yesterday that it will set a new record this year for annual visitors by the end of October. And it’s not just pandemic road trips driving the interest: Passenger traffic at Maine’s airports is also going through a boom of its own. Heck, even National Geographic is getting in on the action.

Whether that buzz continues into 2022 is anyone’s guess (I’ve stopped trying to predict things here in the pandemic era), but it certainly has me taking a new look at what Maine has to offer the outdoor adventurer.

Recently, I traveled to Bangor and took a paddling trip on the Penobscot River, home of the Penobscot River Paddling Trail. It flows for more than 100 miles and has designated campsites for overnight trips. There, I met Ryan Lilly, a Brand Evangelist for Old Town Canoe, one of the country’s oldest canoe makers.

If the name rings a bell, it’s probably because you’ve been in one of their boats before – Old Town has been making canoes and kayaks since 1898, and their parent company, Johnson Outdoors, also produces the ever-popular Ocean Kayak (they also own camping outfitters Eureka! and Jetboil, too).

I asked Lilly what he thought of all the renewed attention. Is Acadia finally putting Maine on the map?

“By now, Acadia [National Park] is on the road-trip radar, and rightfully so, because it’s a beautiful place,” Lilly said. “But overall, Maine still remains a mystery to most people, with lots of secrets still to be discovered.”

So, naturally, I asked him if he would shed some light on said mystery. As a local outdoorsman working for the oldest canoe maker in the country, what would he consider to be the top lesser-known outdoor adventures in Maine?

Here’s what he came up with:

The Kenduskeag Canoe Race

The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race takes place each April near Bangor, Maine (not far from the Old Town Canoe Headquarters) is a good platform to explore the Penobscot River and Bangor area.

Held annually, it’s the largest paddling event in New England and runs for 16.5 miles from the town of Kenduskeag, through farm fields, neighborhoods, and canals, to the confluence of the Penobscot River in downtown Bangor. Many of the canoes used in the race are made at the nearby Old Town facilities.

Suggested Visit: Use the race as a social platform for visiting Bangor. Get out and explore the Penobscot River yourself via a day trip or overnight on the Penobscot River Paddling Trail. Schedule a tour of the Old Town facilities to see how canoes and kayaks are made (call 800-343-1555 or write to feedback@oldtowncanoe.com to arrange a tour).

Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument

Local and national controversy has, in part, plagued the recently established Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. But, in a way, the drama only adds to the intrigue, and the area is prime for camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and even mountain biking.

Suggested Visit: You’ll want to schedule a few days here at least, and bringing your tent is not a bad idea. Check out all the different options, including frontcountry and backcountry outings, here.

Maine Island Trail Association

Naturally, Lilly thinks getting out on the water is an absolute must when exploring the state, and it’s not just about the inland rivers. The coast offers major possibilities, too.

“An amazing way to experience Maine and its rugged coast is by kayak,” Lilly said. “We love the Maine Island Trail, because the 375-mile trail connects 240 islands and offers paddlers day and multi-day opportunities along the entire Maine coast.”

Suggested Visit: Even if you aren’t an experienced kayaker, you can still enjoy the beauty of this coastal trail. Check out some of the “Easily Accessible Islands” that can be reached via public ferry or water taxi.

AMC Eco Lodges 

Nostalgic for the long summer days of childhood? Looking for a great family vacation? Spend some time where the ocean meets the mountains at the Appalachian Mountain Club Eco Lodges, Lilly said.

Fly fishing, paddling, hiking, and skiing are in abundance here, as is the charm of staying in the remote and beautiful cabins.

Suggested Visit: Read up on the story of the AMC Eco Lodges and consider a winter visit, where you can ski between the lodges. A classic summer adventure is always an option as well.

The Allagash Waterway 

In search of the state’s quintessential paddling adventure? Look no further than the famed Allagash River, Lilly said.

“The 92-mile paddle is the premiere paddle trip in Maine,” he said. “It was established in the 1960s and is a designated National Wild and Scenic River. The trip is known for incredible fishing, whitewater adventure, and plentiful moose sightings.”

Suggested Visit: How you experience the Allagash will depend on your paddling experience and how long you have to play. Day trips are possible, as are overnight adventures, either with a guide or using shuttle services offered by guiding companies, such as the Allagash Guide Service.