Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Caratunk & The Forks
For white-water rafting at its best, head to the
Kennebec River
, below the Harris Dam,
where the water shoots through a dramatic 12-mile gorge. With rapids with names like
Whitewasher and Magic Falls, you know you're in for an adrenaline rush.
The adjoining villages of Caratunk and The Forks, on US 201 south of Jackman, are at
the center of the Kennebec River rafting operations. The options range from rolling rap-
ids and heart-stopping drops to calmer waters where children as young as seven can join
in. Rates range from $75 to $130 per person for a day-long outing. Multiday packages,
with camping or cabin accommodations, can also be arranged.
Reliable operators include
Crab Apple Whitewater
( 800-553-7238;
877-846-7238;
Baxter State Park
Set in the remote forests of northern Maine,
Baxter State Park
( 207-723-5140;
www.baxterstateparkauthority.com
; per car $14)
centers on Mt Katahdin (5267ft), Maine's
tallest mountain and the northern terminus of the 2175-mile
Appalachian Trail
(
www.nps.gov/appa
)
. This vast 209,500-acre park is maintained in a wilderness state - no
electricity and no running water (bring your own or plan on purifying stream water) -
and there's a good chance you'll see moose, deer and black bear. Baxter has extensive
hiking trails, several leading to the top of Mt Katahdin, which can be hiked round-trip in
a day as long as you're in good shape and get an early start.
At
Millinocket
, south of Baxter State Park, there are motels, campgrounds, restaurants
and outfitters that specialize in white-water rafting and kayaking on the Penobscot River.
Get information from the
Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce
(
207-723-4443;
www.katahdinmaine.com
; 1029 Central St, Millinocket)
.
