Kennebec River Rafting - World Class Whitewater on the Kennebec

The Kennebec River adventure begins at Harris Station Dam and immediately enters a narrow gorge, hundreds of feet deep. Our expert, professional guides work with their team to have the best run possible on each trip. Quickly picking up speed, rafts plunge through huge rolling waves and heart-pounding drops. Legendary Class III and IV rapids such as "Three Sisters" and "Magic Falls" await you at every turn for 7 miles. Teamwork is key as you face the roaring Kennebec as it splashes over the bow and soaks you and your friends. Listen to your guide, paddle hard and SMILE for the cameras as you rush through this deep gorge.

The second part of the river trip opens up from the gorge for better views of the primitive wilderness and opportunities for "body surfing" in smaller rapids. Water temperatures will top out in the mid-70's in the summer making this fun for everyone. Our Kennebec trip ends where it began, right back at our base—no cold, soggy shuttle ride at Crab Apple! Walk out of your raft and into a hot shower, hot tub or our new swimming pool while your guides prepare a delicious cookout. After lunch we head to our comfortable conference room to view photos and video from your day on the Kennebec. Join us for world class whitewater on our "home river," the Mighty Kennebec!

Trip Overview:

2010 Schedule: Seven days a week April 10 through October 10
Rapid Classification: Class III-IV (V)
Miles: 12
River Time: 3-4 hours
Minimum Age: 12 for Full Trip.
For Children 8-11 check out two milder options: Kennebec Row Frame Option or the Lower Kennebec
Food: River snack, steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookout at base after trip
No. of people per boat: 8-9 (Go For It Rafts: 6)
Video and Slide Presentation
Specialty Trips Available: Go For It Rafts, Upper Gorge Trip

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Kennebec River Per Person Rafting Prices:

	Dates	Weekdays	Saturday	Sunday
Spring	April 10 - May 21	$75	$80	$75
Early Summer	May 22 - June 13	$86	$106	$96
Summer	June 14 - September 6	$98	$124	$112
Fall	September 7 - October 10	$86	$106	$96

Children under 16: $65 every day except Saturdays June 12 - August 28.

Group Rates for 16 or more rafters

Includes: All river access fees, safety instruction, licensed guide, PFD and helmet, transportation to and from river, cookout (steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option), photo and video presentation of your adventure

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Our Location is the Best!

Crab Apple is the only Kennebec outfitter with a short ride to the put-in and no bus ride after the trip - what a difference! Our trip ends right across from our base lodge so your room, showers, hot tub and the swimming pool are just a few steps away! No cold, soggy bus rides!

 

Rafting & Lodging Packages*

Each night of lodging includes a hot buffet breakfast - eggs, sausage, home fries, pancakes, fruit, pastries, juice and coffee.

Standard Lodging (Lodge rooms, Deluxe Lodge Units, Spring Cottage)

1 Night: $49pp plus raft trip price
2 Nights: $98pp plus raft trip price

Premium Lodging (Snow Cottage, River Cottage, Suites)

1 Night: $60pp plus raft trip price
2 Nights: $120pp plus raft trip price

* For photos and details on our lodging options go to Lodging / Dining

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Package Add-Ons

2nd Day of Rafting

• Upper Gorge Trip $65pp
• Second Full Day of rafting on Kennebec River:
      Standard Raft: $75pp Go For It Raft: $100pp
• Half-Day Kennebec Funyak Trip $39pp

3rd Night Lodging *Save $15pp (some restrictions may apply)

Meal Plan Dinner

At our full service restaurant, Crab Apple on the Kennebec. Entree, dessert, beverage, tax & gratuity - $24pp. Menu

Moose Safari

We leave daily May through August around dusk to search for giant Maine moose. We know all of their favorite spots to hang out. Bring your camera! $40pp.

Paintball

• Nightfall or Half-Day: $40pp
• Full Day: $75pp
• See Rapid Shot Paintball website for more details and pictures of the fields

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Generator Check - Highest Dam Releases of 2010

Four days this summer Harris Station Dam on the Kennebec River will run at full throttle - over 8000cfs! The action is fast and the waves are huge - the wave called "Big Mama" climbs to twenty feet high! These four dates will be summer highlights.

Dates: June 19, July 5, September 11, 25
Price: $124pp Minimum Age: 14

Generator Check Packages:

June 19-20 -- Saturday June 19 raft the Kennebec on the Generator Check then follow with the Kennebec at its normal flow on Sunday June 20. $197pp. Try a Go For It raft on Sunday $222pp.

July 4-5 -- Sunday July 4th raft the Kennebec at a normal water level and then raft the Kennebec again on Monday July 5th at the Generator Check water flow of 8000 CFS! This weekend will feature 2 very different and exciting rides on the same river. $214pp

September 11-12, 25-26 -- Raft the Kennebec at 8000 cfs Saturday then drop into "Magic Falls" at the normal water level on Sunday. $197pp

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Two Day Upper Gorge

Want to raft two days, but the thought of getting home late and having to work the next day makes it impossible? Try the Two Day Upper Gorge option - raft all day on the Kennebec and raft just the Upper Kennebec Gorge ("Magic Falls", "Big Mama", etc.) on the following day, allowing you to leave by 1pm.

Price: First day rafting price plus $65 for Upper Gorge
Includes: Kennebec with lunch first day, Upper Gorge trip second day

OR, want to raft the big whitewater of the Upper Gorge on the second day and then play paintball in the afternoon? The Upper Gorge option will give you a two day adrenaline rush!

Price: First day rafting price plus $65 for Upper Gorge, plus $40 for half-day paintball
Includes: Kennebec with lunch first day, Upper Gorge trip second day, half-day paintball

 

Kennebec River Row Frame Trip

Our Guided Row Frame trip allows you to experience the thrills of the Kennebec gorge while holding on and letting one of our expert guides row through the big waves. This a great activity for families with younger rafters (ages 8-11) or any group that would rather enjoy the action while holding on through the big whitewater. The Row Frame rafts follow along with the paddle rafts through the same rapids and section of river.

$98 weekdays, $124 Saturdays, $112 Sundays

 

Lower Kennebec Option

The Lower Kennebec trip is for those who wish to avoid the bigger whitewater of the upper gorge and meet their friends half-way to enjoy two hours of milder whitewater. $65pp weekdays only

 

Go For It Rafts

Our 13 foot, 6 person Go For It rafts are the shortest allowed by the state of Maine. These rafts give the Kennebec a whole new look - waves and holes like "Big Mama" and "Magic Falls" swallow these smaller boats making for some of the wildest rides of the season. This trip is geared toward veteran rafters and a minimum of 4 people is required to run a Go For It trip.

Daily starting May 24 (except Generator Check dates June 19, July 5, September 11, 25)
Price: Add $25 pp to trip price
Minimum Age: 14

 

The Master Blaster

Whether it's your first or fifth time rafting, this two day Kennebec River rafting package promises lots of thrills. Raft the first day on the Kennebec River in our standard 16 foot rafts. Take this day to master the paddling commands and become familiar with the rapids because on the second day you'll blast down through the Class III-IV rapids of the Kennebec in a 13 foot Go For It boat. Use the skills you learned the first day and paddle your way into more action on the second. The Go For It boats are the sports car of rafts, promising thrills, chills and possible spills.

Daily starting May 24 (except Generator Check dates June 19, July 5, September 11, 25)
Price: First day raft trip price plus $100pp for second day Go For It raft
Minimum Age: 14

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Kennebec River Trip Itineraries

Directions:
I-95 North to Exit 133 in Fairfield, Maine. Follow Rte 201 North 65 miles to The Forks. Pass through Skowhegan and then Bingham (23 miles to The Forks). In The Forks look for our signs and the bridge crossing the Kennebec. Take right turn before bridge and then enter second driveway on right.

Note: Please consult a map along with our directions. It is your responsibility to arrive on time. The trip cannot wait for latecomers.

Note: GPS and navigation systems are not accurate in our area. Please use a map.

 

Your Day on The Kennebec River

Meeting Time and Place:
8:30am at Crab Apple on the Kennebec - The Forks, Maine

Trip Itinerary:

• Meet at 1:30pm
• Lifejacket and helmet fitting -
  (all guests must wear a Personal Floating Device issued by Crab Apple)
• Safety lecture and paddling instruction
• Paddle 3 miles in Class I-II whitewater
• Riverside snack
• Paddle 5 miles in Class I-II whitewater
• Take out and ride back to Crab Apple
• Hot showers, hot tubs and change clothes
• Departure by approximately 3:30-4:00pm

Waiver:

All rafters will be required to sign a waiver of liability before enjoying one of our trips. Download it here and bring it in completed the day of the trip to save time. Waiver

Your Day on The Kennebec River Row Frame Trip

Meeting Place:
Crab Apple on the Kennebec - The Forks, Maine

Trip Itinerary:

• Meet at 8:30 am
• Lifejacket and helmet fitting -
  (all guests must wear a Personal Floating Device issued by Crab Apple)
• Safety lecture and paddling instruction
• 20 minute ride to Harris Station dam
• Raft 5 miles in Class III-IV whitewater
• Riverside snack
• Raft 7 miles in Class II-III whitewater
• Take out in front of Crab Apple
• Hot showers, hot tubs and change clothes
• Delicious steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookout
• Slide show and video presentation of your trip
• Departure by approximately 3:30-4:00pm

Waiver:

All rafters will be required to sign a waiver of liability before enjoying one of our trips. Download it here and bring it in completed the day of the trip to save time. Waiver

Your Day on the Lower Kennebec River

Meeting Place:
Crab Apple on the Kennebec - The Forks, Maine

Trip Itinerary:

• Meet at 8:30 am
• Lifejacket and helmet fitting -
  (all guests must wear a Personal Floating Device issued by Crab Apple)
• Safety lecture and paddling instruction
• 20 minute ride to Harris Station dam
• Raft 5 miles in Class III-IV whitewater
• Riverside snack
• Raft 7 miles in Class II-III whitewater
• Take out in front of Crab Apple
• Hot showers, hot tubs and change clothes
• Delicious steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookout
• Slide show and video presentation of your trip
• Departure by approximately 3:30-4:00pm

Waiver:

All rafters will be required to sign a waiver of liability before enjoying one of our trips. Download it here and bring it in completed the day of the trip to save time. Waiver

What to Bring:

For every trip you need:

• Bathing suit or shorts
• Footwear - sneakers or sandals with secure toe and ankle straps (flip flops not allowed)
• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Change of clothes and shoes for after trip

Items for spring and fall & cool or rainy days:

• ***Avoid cotton clothing - it cools the body when wet!
• For feet: wool or fleece socks. Very important in spring!
• For torso and legs: performance apparel (Under Armour), wool, fleece, capilene, polypropylene/li>
• Outer layer: wind jacket and pants are great for shedding water and can be worn over a wetsuit or fleece

Wetsuits:

Clean, comfortable wetsuits and wetsuit boots will always be available for rent. Fleece and synthetics are extra warm under wetsuits and wetsuit boots. Wind jackets and pants can be worn over wetsuits to shed water and add warmth.

$$$$:

Crab Apple on the Kennebec houses a fun store where you may purchase a fine selection of apparel and souvenirs. Our pub and restaurant will also be open for relaxing after trips.

Medications / Physical Limitations:

Always bring medications which you may need on the river i.e. asthma inhaler, bee sting kit, etc.
Pregnant women, persons with a heart condition and anyone with a medical problem that could be affected by the heat, cold, exertion, excitement, etc. of a raft trip may not raft. We reserve the right to refuse anyone the opportunity to participate in any of our adventures because of a medical, physical or size limitation that we feel might expose them to extreme risk. Contact our office with questions concerning these policies.

Accommodations:

Crab Apple on the Kennebec offers you a comfortable, hassle-free stay in our suites, lodge, cabins and campsites. Local campgrounds, B&B's and motels may also be suggested.

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Nightfall Paintball

Play paintball on our four cool fields after a day of rafting on the Kennebec or Dead River. After the raft trip cookout and slideshow (about 4:00) we'll gather up the guns, throw on the camouflage and head to the playing fields for some action packed paintball games. Play until dusk - now that is cool!

Price $40pp (includes 500 paintballs)
See Rapid Shot Paintball website for more details and pictures of the fields.

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