The Maine Highlands Guidebook The Maine Highlands Guidebook | Page 17

Kenduskeag
Stream
Canoe Race
The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, held
annually for over 50 years, is the largest
paddling event in New England and one of the
largest nationwide.
On the third weekend of April, somewhere near
1,000 paddlers and their craft converge on the
town of Kenduskeag to race 16.5 miles down
the Kenduskeag Stream to downtown Bangor.
Ten miles of the race course are on flat water
while the other 6.5 pass through Class I, II, and
III rapids, and avoid Class IV rapids with two
mandatory portages. Crowds of spectators
flock to tricky falls to watch the boats jostle for
position and negotiate the rocks—and often,
to upend their occupants into the frigid water.
MOOSEHEAD LAKE Launch at Greenville Junction Wharf, Rockwood
Town Landing, Lily Bay State Park, or Seboomook to explore the
open water and undeveloped islands of Maine’s largest lake.
Aspiring racers over age 12 can enter at
kenduskeagstreamcanoerace.com.
LINCOLN LAKES The Lincoln area is home to thirteen lakes, all
of which are excellent for recreational boating and fishing.
The Allagash River is Maine’s only designated Wild and Scenic River.
It is a part of the ALLAGASH WILDERNESS WATERWAY, a pathway
of connected lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams that winds through
vast commercial forests. With many places to put in and take out
and 81 primitive campsites along the waterway’s 92-mile length,
wilderness canoe and kayak trips from 4–10 days are possible.
THE NORTHERN FOREST CANOE TRAIL stretches 740 miles,
from northern Maine west through New Hampshire, Vermont,
parts of Quebec and into New York’s Adirondack Mountains,
offering the challenge of a lifetime for thru-paddlers.
REGISTER YOUR BOAT
All motorized craft must be registered. Certain types of boats and
motors are restricted in some bodies of water. For registration and
regulations, see maine.gov/ifw/atv_snowmobile_watercraft.
Gear Up
For a self-guided trip, you should have
canoeing and camping experience and
all the necessary equipment and gear to
shelter, feed, and supply your party. Or
hire a professional outfitter or guide to
make trip planning easy.
Many outfitters, as well as campgrounds
and state parks, offer affordable canoe
and kayak rentals. In Baxter State
Park, canoes and kayaks are available
at many pondside campgrounds.
SAFETY ALWAYS
Lifejackets are always required on the water in Maine; you
must carry one wearable personal flotation device (PFD) per
person—and wearing it at all times is highly recommended.
THE MAINE HIGHLANDS.COM |
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