Maine Family White Water Rafting Vacations
Maine White Water Rafting Is Definitely For Families!
We guarantee you'll never hear your kids "moan and groan" about this family vacation. Choose from easy to exciting rafting options for kids ages 8 through 15, on three diverse rivers of the Kennebec, the Penobscot, and the Dead. No experience needed to bring your family rafting. On more difficult rivers, prior experience is encouraged so that you maximize your enjoyment. We recommend rafting the Kennebec, Penobscot, and then the Dead, in that order. Each river adds to the challenge of the previous river. Your affordable adventure vacation with all-inclusive packages, special kids’ rates, and our family-friendly resort is ready for you! Your Maine vacation experience lasts far beyond your actual trip. That’s priceless - for you - and for those lucky family members you bring with you.
Northern Outdoors Makes It Easy for Families
- Family-friendly resort : swimming pool, arcade games room, volleyball, and more
- Kids ages 8-15 go rafting at ½ price on weekdays! (One child per adult. Weekdays in July and August.)
- Hassle-free vacation packages just for your family
- Complete lodging choices: cabins to campsites
- Kid-friendly restaurant and main lodge with wireless internet
- Riverside trails, fishing, and exploring
- Access to sit-on-top kayaks for fun on the lake
- Kid-sized rafting gear! PFDs, paddles, helmets and complete wetsuit gear that fits your kids. Maximum fun for them, maximum confidence for you.
We Have Your Family Covered with 3 Different Family Whitewater Rafting Trips, 1 Float Trip, and Multi-Day Family Adventure Getaways
Kennebec River Rafting
(For elementary and middle school age kids, ages 8 and up)
There are lots of good reasons why the Kennebec is the most popular river in New England. It offers consistent Class II, III & IV whitewater rafting in the spectacular Maine wilderness all summer and fall. From its source at Maine's Moosehead Lake near the Canadian border, this famous river corridor carves through a deep, rock-walled gorge in the exciting Upper Kennebec, and broadens out into the easygoing Lower Kennebec. Your trip ends just five miles upstream of our adventure resort at The Forks. Learn more.Penobscot River Rafting
(For middle and high school kids, ages 12 and up)
Looking for awesome whitewater action? The Penobscot River has it! Our full day trip combines Class IV & V action in the granite-walled Ripogenus Gorge of the Upper Penobscot River with a series of steep drops followed by pools on the Lower Penobscot section. The scenery doesn’t get any better as you float by the base of Mt. Katahdin, Maine's highest peak and the dominant centerpiece of Baxter State Park. It is also the endpoint of the famous Appalachian Trail. Kids ages 12-14 join for the riverside lunch and rafting on the Lower Penobscot section. Learn more.Dead River Rafting
(For high school kids, ages 15 and up)
With more continuous whitewater than any other river in the East, rafting on the Dead River puts you smack in the middle of “experiential intensity”! This dam-controlled river has only 10 releases a season with heart-pounding Class III, IV, and V whitewater from Grand Falls to the confluence of the Kennebec and Dead Rivers. The trip builds in intensity with great warm-up rapids at the top, and culminates in the Class IV-V Poplar Hill Falls at the end. The wilderness and scenery are outstanding, if you have time to look! The trip ends just 5 miles upstream of our Forks Resort Center. Learn more.Lower Kennebec Float Trip
(For elementary and middle school age kids, ages 8 and up)
This self-guided trip starts at take-out of the main Kennebec River rafting trip, below all the major rapids of the Upper and Lower sections. This part of the river, below The Forks, meanders at a much slower pace, ideal for those who want to spend an afternoon drifting carefree with their friends or splashing around with the family. You can rent easy-to-paddle inflatable kayaks and enjoy the river at your own pace. Learn more.
Family Adventure Getaways
(For elementary school age kids, ages 8 and up)Want to take your family in the outdoors and don’t know where to start? How do you ensure that everyone has a great time? Not sure if you want to try camping as the first adventure? Choose from one of our Mom-approved and kid-tested all-inclusive Family Adventure Getaways! We offer two popular options: wilderness camping getaways and resort-based adventure getaways. We take care of the all details and planning; you get to enjoy your vacation. Our Family Adventure Getaways are affordable, fun, and hassle-free. Learn more.
More Northern Outdoors Adventures
Visit our Adventures section to learn about all the other activities you can enjoy with your family on your Maine North Woods vacation with Northern Outdoors. Choose from self-guided to guided options, and lodging for every budget from deluxe campsites to luxury cabins. Learn more.
Nearby Daycare for the Youngest Kids:
For guests with children too young to take part in any of our adventures, we can recommend School House Daycare, a local state certified facility just down the road from our resort.Still not sure which Family Adventure is right for you? Need help to dial in on the best vacation package for your needs? Email us or call us via phone @ 1-800-765-RAFT (1-800-765-7238).