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CANOE THE ALLAGASH

What’s an Allagash? It’s a few things, all of them located north of Katahdin deep in the North Maine Woods. There’s the 65-mile-long Allagash River. There’s also Allagash Stream, Allagash Lake, Allagash Falls, Allagash Village, and Allagash Mountain.

Allagash is most often used to refer to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, a 92-mile stretch of water that includes lakes, ponds, and the entire Allagash River. It is one of the country’s best canoeing experiences. No humans inhabit this remote and pristine region, so it’s a true wilderness adventure. This also means it’s not a day trip. You should plan carefully and thoroughly, but the reward will be worth it.

A canoe trip down the Allagash is not considered a high-risk venture, so it can be a good family adventure—except for one 9-mile stretch of rips at Chase Rapids, but portage service is available for those wishing to avoid the whitewater. You can do the entire 92 miles or just a