Backcountry Canoeing

Dates

Backcountry Canoeing: “fun in the sun” - Lobster Lake & West Branch Penobscot River‍ ‍

July 6 - 10: Lush forests, warm weather, and swimming opportunities. Biting insects may still linger. This is typically before the summer rush. The average high is in the mid to upper 70s. The average low is in the upper 50s. Heat waves in the 80s/90s are possible.

Includes instruction for backcountry canoeing & camping throughout the trip, as well as a half-day fly fishing instruction. There will be ample time each day for relaxation, swimming, and fishing. This is a “fun in the sun” trip, where you can gain confidence in organizing and executing your own backcountry canoe trips.

Backcountry Canoeing: “the Maine experience” - Lobster Lake & West Branch Penobscot River

September 12 - 16: Fall foliage, fewer bugs, and cool temperatures. This is our favorite time of the year in Maine. The weather is near perfect (for us) and the woods are once again quiet after a busy summer season. The average high is in the mid 60s. The average low is in the low 50s. Cold snaps and heat waves are possible.

Includes instruction for backcountry canoeing & camping throughout the trip, as well as a half-day fly fishing instruction, a half-day foraging session, and a morning yoga & forest bathing session. We will also discuss the history of the region and the Thoreau-Wabanaki Canoe Trail, that our route will travel a portion of.

Trip Information

Both trips are five days and four nights. This is to accommodate for river conditions and potential weather delays. On both trips we will cover a variety of topics aimed at preparing you for multi-day canoe trips through the backcountry. The Maine Wilderness contains some of the most beautiful and remote paddling in the country, making it the perfect setting for learning what it takes to successfully and safely paddle a long-distance route.

Each participant will need to bring personal gear and snacks, including a shelter, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. We provide all meals, so you do not need to bring a cook system. Gear is an important aspect of a safe and efficient trip. You will receive a packing list as part of your pre-trip packet.

In-the-field Training Topics: planning routes with both Gaia GPS and traditional paper maps, time & distance estimation, proper paddling mechanics and canoe trim, group management, reading conditions on the water, navigating with wind, safe open-water crossings, rescue and recovery techniques, sustaining energy and pace, injury prevention, portaging, scouting and running class 1 whitewater, campsite selection and efficient setup, fire building techniques, water purification, meal planning & prep for multi-day trips, minimizing campsite contamination, backcountry food safety, leave no trace principles, first aid kits, gear & clothing selection, proper layering, tips & tricks, essential knots, finding fish on the move, introductory fly fishing, and more.

This is a fully guided trip. We provide an experienced registered Maine guide on this trip. The guide will lead the group and provide assistance as needed. Throughout the day, the guide will discuss the area's history and other intriguing topics with the group.

We will have camp activities in the evening for those who want to participate.

Itinerary

Arrival: 7:00 a.m. meet-up at our location in Millinocket for gear check and last-minute supplies. Lodging is available in the Hostel if you wish to arrive the night before. If you are flying and need transport, you must arrive in Bangor the day before the trip. Arrangements can be made with the Hostel for transport and lodging. For those who drive, parking is available on-site for the duration of the trip.

The Trip: This trip is intended to be five days and four nights. Any paddle plan should account for potential weather delays, especially on big water where it is possible to become “windbound” and unable to paddle. If the weather is in our favor and the trip goes according to plan, we will return on the afternoon of day five. If the weather delays us we may not return until the morning of day six (7/11 or 9/17). Thus, this trip has a six day commitment.

Pricing

Prices are in USD, also known as United States Dollars.

Included: route planning & daily itinerary management, trip logistics support, permits & reservations, staff & guide support, canoes, paddles, PFDs, and three meals per day for the duration of our time on the canoe route.

Not included: accommodations, personal travel to/from our location, travel/trip insurance, meals not listed in the itinerary, snacks & personal purchases, optional gratuities for staff & guides.

Transportation provided during your itinerary is incidental to trip logistics support and is not sold as a stand-alone passenger transportation service.

Backcountry Canoeing: “fun in the sun”: $1250.00

Backcountry Canoeing: “the Maine experience”: $1450.00

Booking & Cancellation Policy

The deposit is 25% of your trip cost and is required at booking. The deposit is included in the total trip price.

The remaining 75% is due 90 days prior to the start of your trip. This ensures you are committed to the trip.

We can accommodate up to eight participants. While we expect this trip to fill up, we require a minimum of three participants on the July trip and four participants on the September trip to cover the operating cost. If fewer than three/four participants register by the due date, those who booked will have the option to either cover the additional costs so the trip may proceed or cancel and receive a refund, minus processing fees.

Cancellation Policy:

  • Domestic (US) - Cancellation fee

  • 90+ days - Deposit may be applied toward another trip, within one year, based on availability.

  • 60-89 days - 100% of deposit

  • 30-59 days - 50% of total trip cost

  • 29 days or less - 100% of total trip cost

Please understand this trip takes time and advance notice to plan and execute. We may turn away other customers to hold your reservation. Our policy is not meant to be punitive, however, we plan far in advance to make these trips possible. By the due date, funds have already been used in preparation for your upcoming trip. For this reason, we strictly adhere to our cancellation policy. We strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance to help cover any unforeseen circumstance that may lead to you canceling after the due date.

To qualify for refunds, you must notify us in writing via email to info@katahdinadventureco.com.

Katahdin Adventure Company reserves the right to alter or cancel trips and determine refund amounts at its sole discretion.

Disclaimer

While this is a fully guided trip, all participants must be capable of paddling two to six hours per day. Each participant should be in reasonably good shape. Each participant will be required to assist with transporting gear, setting up camp, meal prep, and post-meal cleanup. Each participant will be required to carry all necessary supplies and gear for their safety and enjoyment. There is a list of essential items the guide requires you have with you. We will send the list and relevant information at booking. If you lack any required items, you can rent or purchase them from our Outfitters.

The guide will provide information & in-the-field instruction/assistance, administer first aid if needed, set the pace, lead the group, and determine the safest course of action throughout the entire trip. The guide has full control over the trip and the authority to make changes to the itinerary/route as deemed necessary.

This is an intermediate level trip, though it is suitable for beginners willing to put in the effort.

While we will do everything we can to provide a safe trip, we do not control the weather. We have allotted an extra day to account for poor weather conditions that may prevent us from moving to the next location. In the unlikely event that we cannot continue to the next scheduled location, we will opt for a safer route and make the best of the trip. We do not offer refunds due to weather. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance.

Get in touch.

If you are interested in participating in our trip, please reach out to us. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you register.

July 6-10, 2027:‍ 8 of 8 spots remaining

September 12-16, 2027:‍ 5 of 8 spots remaining