National Geographic has a list of the 100 best adventures in America, and two are in Maine. The media organization highlights trips where you can hike, heli-ski, surf, climb, bike and paddle. For Maine, it chose two water adventures: kayaking on the open ocean and canoeing the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.
Kayak the Maine Island Trail
National Geographic describes the Maine Island Trail as “the East’s top kayaking destination.” With 375 miles of waterway, the trail spans the entire coast of Maine and connects 200 island and mainland sites that are open for day visits or overnight camping.
The Maine Island Trail Association describes how the trail is continually changing: “Sites are frequently added and removed, usage guidelines are revised based on owner preferences, and stewardship strategies are adjusted to meet changing environmental conditions.”
You can learn more about the trail at the Maine Island Trail Association’s website or by downloading its mobile app, which offers site listings and interactive charts of the Maine coast.
Canoe the Allagash
The waterway of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams is about 100 miles long, takes at least a week to canoe, and ends at Allagash in Aroostook County.
National Geographic describes it this way:
“Maine’s North Woods are so far removed from the rest of the bustling Northeast, they’ve changed little since the 19th century. That’s why canoeing the Allagash River, a state-protected wilderness waterway, is a little like time travel. Over 92 river miles (148 kilometers), canoeists notice few signs of civilization, save for a few dusty bridges, a historic lumber camp, and the occasional distant rumble of a logging truck.”
Find information about campsites and rules here.
