Whitewater Rafting Adventures for Friends and Families
Enjoy the Great Outdoors with the Family
Looking for an outdoor experience for the whole family? There’s nothing better than spending a day on a beautiful wilderness river. Whitewater rafting isn’t just for hard-core adventure seekers. Families with kids from ages 4-14 and older can experience an epic day on the West Branch of the Penobscot River, near Millinocket and the new Katahdin National Monument.
Whitewater trips with the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) focus on safety, adventure, and fun. Our Lower River Trips are perfect for first-time rafters, families, or folks looking for a flatwater float. We offer three great options:
- The Family Float (ages 4+, one class I Rapid)
- The Soft Adventure (ages 10+, 5 rapids, class II-III routes, 5 rapids)
- The Lower River Experience (Ages 12+ 5 rapids class II-IV routes 5 rapids).
How the day begins
A day of family whitewater rafting begins at 9 AM with a check-in at Penobscot Outdoor Center Campground & Rafting Base. Here, we fill out some simple paperwork, rent wetsuits, receive safety gear, and hear a safety orientation from the trip leader. Then we assign raft guides for the day. Getting to know your raft guide is one of the best parts of the river experience. NEOC boasts a core staff of some of the most experienced guides on the West Branch!
Then we’re off!
On the bus ride to the “put-in” river guides will answer your questions, point out the sights, and provide some shenanigans to make the morning fun. It’s not uncommon to see wildlife, such as moose, along the way. Once at the “put in” we carry our rafts to the river, go to a short “paddling school,” and learn to work as team.
Our first rapid is Nesowadenahunk Falls and it’s one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Maine. This horseshoe-shaped waterfall is about 150-yards wide with a sloping 12-ft drop in places. But fear not, depending on the trip you choose for your family, the guide will take the appropriate route, and there are three great options:
- Family Float rafters will opt out of this section altogether, but they can enjoy the benefits of seeing a Class III-IV waterfall without all the drama and the huge waves.
- Soft Adventure seekers will experience this section of the river, taking an easier Class III route called Fisherman’s Drop-an easy, gentle sloping ledge.
- Lower River Experience rafters will run the class IV “Raft Line,” a sloping 12-foot drop with an 8-foot crashing wave at the bottom.
Whatever route your family takes, everyone gets to enjoy the benefits of being at a gorgeous Class IV waterfall and taking in one of the river’s most beautiful locations.
Moving downriver
Departing from Nesowadenahunk Falls, it’s time for some exploring. We will check out the “Cave of Wonder,” surf some waves, and pass through a 100-yard Class I rapid. Then we head to a section of the river where beautiful Nesowadenahunk Stream enters into the Penobscot River. This spectacular spot features a smooth ledge waterslide, where kids and adults can get out of the rafts and play in the water (at appropriate water levels). Then, we get back into our rafts and paddle a bit of flatwater toward our lunch site.
Lunch on the River
The riverside BBQ is one of the highlights of the rafting day. Guests choose between a steak, BBQ chicken breast, vegan burger patty, or beef kosher hot dog. There’s also our famous river rice, coleslaw, and a cookie! To drink, we offer ice-tea, water, and hot cocoa. Our entire menu, with the exception of the cookie, is gluten free. Many families take the lunch break to relax, enjoy the scenery, and maybe even take a swim.
Breathtaking views and more rapids after lunch
Once we’ve enjoyed our riverside lunch, we float three beautiful miles of flatwater, voluntarily swimming along the way, occasionally spotting eagles, and taking in amazing views of the south face of Katahdin, Maine’s highest mountain. The Family Float ends at beautiful Abol Bridge where guests depart, but the Soft Adventure and The Lower River Experience continues on.
Paddling onward, the river narrows and begins to descend. Rounding a bend, the river seems to disappear. This so-called “horizon line” marks the start of Big Abol Falls, a Class III rapid. We paddle down through 6-8-foot crashing waves, avoid some holes, and celebrate at the bottom.
Next, after about a half mile of flatwater, we’re into Class II Little Pockwockamus, some quick navigation, and into the class III and IV lines of Big Pockwockamus. “Big Poc” is about 250 yards long, with big crashing waves, churning holes, and an opportunity to swim through the waves at the bottom.
The day ends around a quarter mile later, where we take out our rafts, carry them to the truck and head back to base.
After a day on the river
After a great day on the river, many families choose to relax at Twin Pines at NEOC in the cabins and lodges on the shores of beautiful Millinocket Lake. If the family has more energy, there are additional activities to choose from, such as playing ping pong, taking a bike ride, enjoying a hot sauna, or looking for wildlife. Whatever the decision, our staff can help make sure the day ends on a high note. For the perfect dinner, try the River Driver Restaurant (Check out the menu, to see the great offerings for adults and kids.)
Why NEOC?
We think Water Rat put it best in The Wind in the Willows when he said: “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
That’s how the New England Outdoor Center got its start after all; three rafts, a van, a trailer and a staff dedicated to the proposition of messing about in boats. Since 1983 we’ve grown from that three-raft operation to the top vacation destination in the Katahdin Region. Fine dining, exquisite lodging, and excursions from rafting, biking, hiking, canoeing, and wildlife tours-NEOC does it all. To learn more about a day of rafting on the West Branch of the Penobscot, call us at 1-877-616-8772, or visit us online at NEOC.com