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    KAYAKING & CANOEING GUIDE - KATAHDIN REGION

    Kayaking-Canoeing-GUIDE-Katahdin-Horizontal-Image-by-BC
    Welcome to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway, which provides access to many of Maine’s top wilderness areas.
     
    Adjacent to Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, this byway offers stunning drives, panoramic mountain views, and excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities.
     
    The region invites paddlers of all skill levels to explore its waters, from the historic East Branch of the Penobscot River to lesser-known lakes, ponds, and streams. Whether you are seeking a day trip or a multi-day adventure, this guide highlights top destinations and boat launches to help you plan your journey.
     
    Explore the many waterways of Katahdin, a landscape shaped by glaciers and cherished by generations. Bring your paddle and sense of adventure—Katahdin is calling!
     

    KAYAKING & CANOEING TRAVEL INFORMATION

    This guide offers a great starting point! For more detailed insights, we highly recommend that paddlers explore the maps and local resources (links) provided below and/or connect with Registered Maine Guides. Happy paddling!

    TOP KAYAKING & CANOEING DESTINATIONS - KATAHDIN REGION

    5-Mile Paddle: Big Seboeis to East Branch

    Start at Truck Bridge on Sherman Lumber Road. Paddle through bogans to the East Branch of the Penobscot River, ending at Lunksoos Boat Launch. Watch for the Big Seboeis Campsite and nearby access to Deasey Mountain via Ed Werler Trail.

    Grant Brook from Millinocket Lake

    From the Millinocket Lake boat landing, paddle northeast around islands and into Grant Brook, an excellent moose-watching route through narrow, swampy wetlands.

    Bowlin Camps to Hay Brook

    From Route 157, turn onto Route 11 North, continue 12.3 miles to Grindstone, and find the dirt road after Hay Brook bridge. This is an easy 2-mile round trip with excellent birdwatching.

    Hurd Pond Boat Launch

    Located past Abol Bridge, turn onto Hurd Pond Road and follow to the end. Short carry-in to peaceful waters and good fishing.

    Jerry Pond – Millinocket

    Located off Massachusetts Avenue in Millinocket, Jerry Pond is a great paddling spot with parking, restrooms, picnic tables, grills, a dock, and a playground. It is also stocked with brook trout and open for youth fishing (ages 15 and under).

    Little Holbrook Pond

    After crossing Abol Bridge, continue 9.9 miles on the Golden Road and turn left to reach a short carry-in access point.

    Lower Mud Brook

    From the same Hay Brook put-in, paddle upriver and turn into the brook. Quiet, winding water with a beaver dam and flatwater paddling. Optional portage for longer trip.

    Medway Recreation Area

    Situated along Route 157 in Medway, the Medway Recreation Area on the East Branch of the Penobscot River offers scenic paddling with upstream and downstream options (2 and 5 miles, respectively). Includes parking, a sand beach, and picnic areas.

    Millinocket Stream

    Launch from Crandall Park on Congress Street. Paddle upstream past Stearns Jr./Sr. High School, portage at the railroad bridge, or continue downstream to Shad Pond or Grand Falls. Options for calm flatwater or Class II rapids.

    Omaha Beach

    Access 4.2 miles past Ambajejus Lake on the Golden Road. A narrow, sometimes rough road leads to a boat landing on Debsconeag Deadwater. Excellent access to First Debsconeag Lake.

    Passamagamet Lake via the West Branch

    14 miles north of Millinocket. Use Grant Brook Road to reach the put-in. Paddle 1.3 miles upriver, then enter Passamagamet Lake with great views and a sandy beach.

    Penobscot River Trails

    This private preserve allows paddling on designated trails during the summer. Bring your own equipment. No pets allowed. Great for quiet river exploration. https://www.penobscotrivertrails.org OR facebook.com/PenobscotRiverTrails

    West Branch Penobscot River – Pockwockamus Falls to Ambajejus Lake

    A remote and less-visited section of the West Branch Penobscot River, characterized by long stretches of still water interrupted by several waterfalls. https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/west-branch-penobscot-river-pockwockamus-falls-to-ambajejus-lake

    Seboeis River to (near) T6 R7 WELS

    The Seboeis River near Shin Pond, Maine, offers excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities. Access is available via Grand Lake Road, just north of Shin Pond Village, at the Seboeis Riverside Trail parking area.

    South Twin Lake – Public Boat Landing

    From Route 11 South, turn onto Marina Drive (by 5 Lakes Lodge) to access this expansive lake with striking views of Mount Katahdin.

    Baxter State Park’s Upper & Lower Togue Ponds

    Located on the Baxter State Park Road near the Togue Pond Visitor Center. Beach access, picnic areas, and top-tier wildlife watching, including beavers, loons, and hawks.

    1. Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument

    This map details trails, canoe/kayak put-ins, and suggested trips on the Seboeis River and East Branch of the Penobscot River.

    2. Baxter State Park

    This waterproof map covers Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin, including information on the Appalachian Trail, canoeing, camping, and hiking.

    3 NPS App

    The U.S. National Park Service (.gov) app provides interactive maps for Katahdin Woods and Waters, including points of interest, roads, and trails.

    5. Katahdin Outfitters

    Katahdin Outfitters offers information on canoeing the Penobscot River, including put-in locations and camping spots.

    1. Lunksoos Boat Launch

    Location: Accessed from Rt. 157 → Rt. 11 North ~12.3 mi to Grindstone, then a short dirt road. Lunksoos Boat Launch is a small gravel boat launch near the historic site of Lunksoos Camps. It offers a put-in point for paddlers wishing to head upstream to the river’s confluence with the Seboeis, or downstream to Whetstone Falls and the main stem of the Penobscot beyond.

    Coordinates: ~45.9084, ‑68.61496

    Details: This is the only launch within the monument equipped for canoe/kayak access. Used to put in for the trip upriver to Big Seboeis. No trailer access for motor boats elsewhere. PFDs are required per NPS regulations.

    Website: https://www.nps.gov/places/lunksoos-launch.htm

    2. Big Seboeis Boat Landing

    Location: West bank of the East Branch Penobscot River near the Big Seboeis Campsite. Coordinates ~45.9321, ‑68.6358

    Details: Steep, unpaved, and potentially slippery. Used as a turnaround or rest site for paddlers.

    Website: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/paddle-from-lunksoos-boat-launch-to-big-seboeis.htm

    3. Medway Recreation Area

    The Medway Recreation Area in Maine offers public access to the Penobscot River, making it an ideal location for launching boats, kayaks, and canoes.

    Location: The Medway Recreation Area is situated on Recreation Area Road, just west of the East Branch of the Penobscot River, accessible via Route 11/157/Medway Road.

    4. South Twin Lake – Public Boat Landing (MAP ⎋)

    From Route 11 South, turn onto Marina Drive (by 5 Lakes Lodge) to access this expansive lake with striking views of Mount Katahdin.

    5. Jerry Pond – Boat Ramp (MAP ⎋)

    Located at the end of New Jersey Street in Millinocket, this park offers a boat ramp suitable for canoes and kayaks. Motorized boats are prohibited. The park has a playground, picnic tables, and grills, and is popular for fishing and swimming. Jerry Pond access road is closed in winter and during mud season.

    6. State of Maine Public Boat Launches

    https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/water_activities/boating/public_boat_launches/boat_sites.shtml

    Kayak and Canoe rentals and guided trip in the Katahdin Region

    1. Katahdin Outfitters

    A trusted outfitter serving paddlers in the North Maine Woods and Katahdin region, offering canoe and kayak rentals, camping gear, and shuttle services to explore rivers like the East Branch of the Penobscot or The Allagash. Ideal for guided trips or self-supported excursions into wild water.

    Website: https://www.katahdinoutfitters.com/river-trips/penobscot.html

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allagashmaine/

    2. Baxter State Park Canoe & Kayak Rentals

    Inside Baxter State Park, complimentary canoe rentals are available on an honor system, at $ 1 per hour or $ 8 per day. Canoes (and some kayaks) are stationed at pond‑side campgrounds and remote lean‑tos. Requires visiting a gatehouse or ranger station for keys and gear (paddles & PFDs included). No advanced booking required.

    Accessible at: Camping areas such as Daicey Pond, Kidney Pond, Russell Pond, Katahdin Lake, and others listed in park literature.

    Park Office Contact: Baxter State Park Gatehouses.

    Policy Info: Available on the official Baxter State Park site and Friends of Baxter pages.

    Website: https://baxterstatepark.org/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medwayrecreation/

    3. Shin Pond Village (Mount Chase)

    Paddleboards, Kayaks, & Canoes! $4 per hour or $25/day. First-come, first-served; reserve them at the Front Desk.

    Website: https://shinpond.com

    Phone:  +1 (207) 528-2900

    4. Guest Rentals at New England Outdoor Center (Millinocket), Wilderness Edge Campground (Millinocket), Matagamon Wilderness (Patten, Maine), and Mount Chase Lodge (Mount Chase)

    The use of canoes and kayaks is included with your stay at New England Outdoor Center and Mount Chase Lodge. At Wilderness Edge Campground and Matagamon Wilderness, guests can rent canoes and kayaks at the store.

    5. Libby’s Lodge & Canty’s (Mount Chase)

    Available for rent: Use of our kayaks is included for our guests. We also offer hourly and daily kayak rentals, complete with flotation devices and paddles, to non-guests for $80/day or $20/hour.

    Website: https://www.libbyslodge.com/recreation

    6. Great Mountain Guide Service (Medway):

    Embark on a guided canoe adventure through the stunning waterways of the Katahdin region with Great Mountain Guide Service. Led by experienced local guides, this immersive trip offers a chance to paddle pristine rivers and lakes, spot wildlife, and learn about the area’s rich natural and cultural history. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a beginner, Great Mountain Guide Service provides all the gear, safety support, and regional knowledge needed for an unforgettable experience in the heart of Maine’s North Woods.

    Website: https://greatmountainguideservice.com/guided-maine-canoeing-trips/

    If you are looking to purchase a canoe:

    A. Taylor’s Two Rivers Canoe & Tackle

    Location: 98 Main Street in Sherman, Maine

    Phone: (207) 365-4041

    https://www.tworiverscanoe.com/freigther-canoes

    1. Always wear a personal floatation device (PFD)—required for canoes and kayaks.
    2. Always let someone know where you are going. Avoid going on the water alone should something happen to you.
    3. Check seasonal water flow before planning—especially when paddling upriver:

      – For the East Branch       (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-01029500/#dataTypeId=continuous-00065-0&period=P7D) 

      – For the Seboeis River       (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-01029200/all-graphs/#period=P7D)

    4. Use NPS maps or the mobile app for offline navigation, as cellphone service is limited and in some places, non-existent.
    5. Respect land stewardship—carry out trash, follow fire regulations, and use designated campsites.

    Photographs courtesy of NEOC, Great Mountain Guide Service, Katahdin Gear Library, and Wilderness Edge Campground

    MILLINOCKET WEATHER
    PATTEN WEATHER

    To get to the Katahdin Region in Maine, follow these directions:

    From the South (e.g., Portland, Boston):

    1. Take I-95 North: Head north on Interstate 95.
    2. Continue on I-95: Pass through Bangor, Maine.
    3. Take Exit 244 for Medway/Millinocket: This is the primary exit for accessing the Katahdin Region.
    4. Follow ME-157 West: After exiting, take Maine State Route 157 west toward Millinocket and Baxter State Park.
    5. Arrive in the Katahdin Region: You’ll pass through Medway, East Millinocket, and Millinocket, which are gateway towns to the region.

    From the North (e.g., Houlton, Canada):

    1. Take I-95 South: Head south on Interstate 95.
    2. Take Exit 244 for Medway/Millinocket: Same exit as from the south.
    3. Follow ME-157 West to enter the region.

    From Bar Harbor or Downeast Maine:

    1. Take Route 1A to Bangor: Follow signs to connect to I-95 North.
    2. Take I-95 North: Continue to Exit 244 for Medway/Millinocket.
    3. Follow ME-157 West into the Katahdin Region.

    Travel Tips:

    • For Baxter State Park: Continue through Millinocket and follow signs for Baxter State Park (approximately 20 miles from Millinocket).
    • For the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument: Depending on your specific destination, there are several entry points, often through the town of Stacyville (Exit 264 on I-95) or through Millinocket.

    Enjoy our Lakes & Rivers!

    Katahdin Tourism Partnership (Logo by BC)

    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

    This guide is produced by the Katahdin Tourism Partnership (katahdintourismpartnership.org), a core advocacy group for the economic and tourism development of the Katahdin region.

    This Kayaking & Canoeing Guide for the Katahdin Region was made possible in part by a generous grant from the Maine Office of Tourism (VisitMaine.org) and by information and assets provided by our wonderful local supporters and byway partners – THANK YOU!

    Visit Maine (Maine Office of Tourism)
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    Mount-Chase-Lodge-Logo
    Katahdin-Area-Trails-logo
    Katahdin-Gear-Library-Logo
    Penobscot-River-Trails-Logo

    HELP US IMPROVE THIS GUIDE!

    If you have additional information or updates, or believe we are missing entries for our Kayaking & Canoeing Guide for the Katahdin Region, we would love to hear from you—help us make this important regional resource even better by sharing details on trails, rentals, guided tours, or accommodations. Please send us an email at info@destinationkatahdin.org

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