Allagash River Canoe Trip
Canoe the allagash River with experienced Master Maine Guides from Mahoosuc. A guided Allagash River canoe trip offers some of the best moose watching and wildlife viewing opportunities in Maine.
Canoe the allagash River with experienced Master Maine Guides from Mahoosuc. A guided Allagash River canoe trip offers some of the best moose watching and wildlife viewing opportunities in Maine.
| Date(s) | Price(s) |
|---|---|
| May 23-28, 2023 | $1,625 per person |
| June 25-30, 2023 | $1,625 per person |
| September 5-10, 2023 | $1,625 per person |
| September 26-October 1, 2023 | $1,625 per person |
The Allagash River canoe trip is the most famous of all Maine’s river trips. It was established in 1966 by the state legislature to protect its “forever wild” status. In 1970, the Allagash was the first river to receive the US Department of the Interior’s Wild and Scenic River designation. Our most popular 6-day Allagash trip starts at the head of Long Lake and continues to our take out in Allagash Village, often referred to as “Moose Town.”
The Allagash River is suitable for beginners and provides the best moose-viewing opportunities of all Maine river trips. We schedule our Allagash trips on the shoulder months (May, June and September) to avoid the summer crowds. We also allow for more days on the river for a given section than most outfitters to have time to enjoy the country. If you want a relaxed paced trip with time to fish, swim, explore artifacts from the logging era, come with us! The highlight of every Allagash trip is a leisurely lunch at the spectacular 50-foot Allagash Falls. Fishing on the Allagash is best late May to mid-June or the end of September. Campsites are rustic but comfortable, with fire pits, outhouses, and picnic tables. To view a trip itinerary, click here.
If you want to explore more of the Allagash country, we can design a custom Allagash canoe trip based on your interests and availability from 5-9 days long. Popular options are:
Call or email Polly or Kevin for custom Allagash dates and rates.
For trip itinerary, click here
All our Maine canoe trips are fully outfitted and guided by Mahoosuc Guide Service’s owners Polly or Kevin. We provide all the food, camping, paddling, and cooking equipment, as well as a detailed clothing list to help you in packing for your trip. Most of our trips meet in Orono, Maine (just north of Bangor). We provide transportation to and from the river. Many of our canoe trips require no special physical conditioning. If you have any concerns about the physical requirements of a trip, please contact us.
We are experienced teachers and will help you master the art of canoeing by teaching paddle strokes and poling techniques. You will learn how to set up a warm dry camp, and if you want, how to cook and bake over an open fire. All our food is natural or organic, and we source much of our food locally. Natural history, wildlife viewing, and fishing will be covered as your interests warrant.
You are in safe hands with Mahoosuc Guide Service. With more than 40 years guiding experience from Maine and Quebec to the Yukon Territory and Alaska, we have an excellent safety record. We are certified in Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responders. We carry a satellite phone for emergency communication!
Where we camp on the river varies greatly, depending on water levels, weather, and other travelers on the river.
Meet at the Black Bear Inn in Orono, Maine, at 7:30 a.m. after breakfast.
Introductions.
Issue necessary gear (sleeping bags, foam pads, life vests, dry bags).
Drive to put in at Umsaskis Lake.
Introduction to canoes, paddles, loading canoes, and strokes.
Paddle to first campsite at Long Lake.
Lesson in paddle strokes and river travel.
Travel to Round Pond.
Brief history of Native Americans, loggers to Wilderness Waterway.
Travel to Five Finger Rapids area.
Check in at Michaud Farm.
Travel to Allagash Falls Campsite.
Leisurely morning to enjoy Allagash Falls.
Travel to Twin Brooks area.
Travel to take-out at Allagash Village.
Drive to Black Bear Inn in Orono. Arrive around 5 p.m.
Say good-byes.
Deposits are non-refundable. From 0-14 days before trip starts, no money is refundable. Within 14-30 days before the trip starts, money is non-refundable, but you may apply the amount to another trip for one year (on a space available basis) minus your deposit. If you cancel within 14 days of the starting date, money is non-transferable and non-refundable. We go in all conditions including rain and thaws. If extreme weather conditions prevent you from traveling to Maine for your trip, you may use the full amount less the deposit for another trip for one year from the trip starting date. You may wish to purchase vacation insurance to cover this possibility. If you have to cancel due to Covid related issues we will not be able to give a refund, but will lock in the price of the trip and give a 2 year credit to be used toward any of our trips.
We only cancel a trip for safety reasons (i.e. flooding, bad ice, extreme windchill or lack of conditions – not enough snow or ice.) For canoe trips we may need to cancel due to safety issues such as extremely high or low water on rivers. If we need to cancel, we try to reschedule people to another trip. If we need to cancel for safety or lack of conditions you may choose to use the full amount toward another Mahoosuc trip for 2 years, or receive a 50% refund and apply the other half to a Mahoosuc trip for 2 years.
If you are having any symptoms of Covid before your trip please test yourself before arriving at Mahoosuc Guide Service and if positive contact us to reschedule your trip.
Mushing can be physically demanding. We cannot predict trail conditions as they change daily, sometimes hourly. You should be in good physical condition for an overnight dog sledding trip. The dogs are strong; however, there are limits to their pulling ability. Therefore, we ask individuals who weigh over 215 lbs. to contact us prior to sending in their reservation form.
For canoeing trips sometimes there are portages around falls and we need to carry all of our gear and canoes around them. The better shape you are in will make these carries easier for you.
Tips are appropriate for your guides. If you feel you would like to recognize how hard they worked to provide a safe and reliable trip for you. A common amount is 5% – %10 of your trip cost. At Mahoosuc we split tips evenly among whoever is working on the trip unless people want certain amounts to go directly to certain guides. In this case they should give it to them individually.
There are many things to thank you for about this Allagash trip. Most important: for your vast knowledge of the Allagash and your skill at leading an expedition such as ours, for your unflappable manner, humor, and collaborative decision making spirit that helped us all have confidence, come beaver or low water, for your caring attitude towards the “regular” people of Maine. It was a wonderful trip!
