Allagash Wilderness Waterway stretches 92 miles through the remote forests of northern Maine, offering one of the most celebrated canoe trips in the eastern United States. Designated as a National Wild and Scenic River, this 24,164-acre corridor follows the Allagash River from Telos Lake to its confluence with the St. John River, passing through a landscape that looks much as it did when Thoreau paddled these waters in the 1850s.

The waterway is best known for multi-day canoe and kayak trips, typically taking 7 to 10 days to complete the full route. Paddlers navigate a mix of flatwater lakes, gentle river stretches, and a handful of Class I-II rapids, with the dramatic 40-foot Allagash Falls serving as the journey’s highlight. Fishing for brook trout and lake trout draws anglers throughout the season, and moose sightings along the banks are practically guaranteed.

Dozens of remote campsites line the waterway, accessible only by water. Sites are first-come, first-served and include fire rings and basic privies — expect no hookups or cell service out here. That isolation is the entire point.

The paddling season runs from mid-May through October, with June offering high water levels ideal for the full trip and September bringing peak fall foliage with fewer bugs. Black flies are fierce in late May and June, so pack head nets and repellent.

With a 4.5-star rating from visitors, the Allagash delivers a genuine backcountry experience that few destinations east of the Mississippi can match.

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