The Forks Maine and West Forks Maine

Maine - The Way Life Should Be

Great Maine Vacations Home: The Forks Maine

The Forks, Maine Vacations

Are you a year-round outdoor adventure enthusiast? If so, you will probably love a vacation in The Forks, Maine. And if you enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting, all that much better!

As this is where two of Maine's most challenging whitewater rivers converge...

...the Dead River (the longest continuous whitewater in the East), and the Kennebec River.

Located in western Maine's Somerset County, in the Kennebec Valley and Moose River Valley Region, The Forks, technically The Forks Plantation...

...is just over a 2.5 hour drive from Portland, Maine, but geographically speaking, it is a world away.

It is near The Forks, where the Maine North Woods begin, and day-to-day life as most of us know it, ends - providing awesome opportunities to explore the simpler things in life.

The Forks, Maine Attractions

It is the abundance of outdoor recreational activities that brings so many visitors to The Forks area in Maine. Regardless of the time of year, big kids and little kids alike thrive on the physical exhilaration that can be found here.

With rapids up to Class V, on both the Penobscot River and the Dead River, and more gentle, but still roller-coaster like rafting on the Kennebec River...

...the best whitewater rafting in Maine (and as some people claim, the best whitewater rafting in New England) will be right at your doorstep.

And from April to October, so too will be a countless number of Maine guides and outfitters, to ensure that you are riding the rapids safely.

Dead River Expeditions, Adventure Bound, Fifteen Mile Stream Guide Service...

...Northern Outdoors, Moxie Outdoor Adventures, Magic Falls Rapid Company, Three Rivers Whitewater and Snow, and many other professional services await your visit.

Maine Bull Moose Not only will The Forks, Maine guides keep you out of harm's way, but if you want, they will help you plan a Forks adventure trip, from start to finish.

However, if discovering on your own, the best things to do in The Forks, Maine, is more your vacation style, be sure not to miss...

...rock climbing the cliff at "Joe's Hole", along the top of Lake Moxie. Or, if your Forks, Maine vacation includes children, you might like to schedule a climb...

...with North American Outdoor Adventure, at Maine's tallest indoor climbing wall. It is located at the Hawk's Nest Restaurant and Pub in West Forks, Maine.

Magic Falls Rafting Company, also in West Forks, invites you to scale a 25-foot tall Climbing Tower that features overhangs and high angle climbs.

Day hikes along the many miles of hiking trails in The Forks, Maine will take you on an easy 1/2 mile hike, to the top of the 90-foot drop of Moxie Falls...

...along the 5-mile Forks Area Scenic Trail System, a multi-purpose trail that follows scenic Old Canada Road, as it runs alongside the meandering Kennebec...

...to the summit of the 2,480-foot, 360-degree panoramic view Pleasant Pond Mountain, which is located on the Appalachian Hiking Trail...

...or, to the 2,630 foot summit of Moxie Bald Mountain, with extended ledges and open crest.

On the Moxie Falls hike, weather permitting, you will need your bathing suit, as the Moxie Falls swimming holes are irresistible! For other water sports...

Kayaking and canoeing in The Forks, Maine will lead to heart pounding adventure along rushing whitewater rapids. Or, pure relaxation as you paddle on one of the areas peaceful lakes or ponds, such as...

...Black Brook Pond, Pleasant Pond, Pierce Pond, Moxie Pond or Lake Moxie.

Fishing The Forks Maine Lakes and ponds, along with numerous rivers, streams and brooks, also make excellent places to spend a few hours fishing in the The Forks.

The Kennebec River and the Dead River...

...the Penobscot River - and the East Branch and West Branch of the Penobscot...

...along with their tributaries, provide what many local anglers say are some of Maine's best fishing spots, for smallmouth bass, brook trout and landlocked salmon.

Wildlife is abundant here. However, for optimal viewing, you may want to consider the services of a registered Maine guide in The Forks, Maine - especially if moose sightings are high on your list of things to do.

Moose watching tours in The Forks, and other wilderness safaris, offer prime opportunities to see not only the Maine state animal (the moose, of course!)...

...but also black bear, whitetail deer, bald eagles, osprey, partridge, otter, and many other local inhabitants.

Do you hunt? This area is a hunters paradise. But be sure to find out before your trip - at www.maine.gov/ifw/licenses_permits/hunting.htm - what you need for a Maine hunting license.

And, if you hope to snag the biggest catch of all, read up on the annual Maine Moose Hunting Lottery.

Getting up close to Maine's wilderness is also easy when mountain biking on one of numerous bike trails, or along an unused logging road.

Or, with ATV rentals, in The Forks, Maine, that will allow you to explore hundreds of miles of the extensive Maine ATV trail system. For the ultimate get-away...

Dogsledding The Forks Maine ...single-day and multi-day guided ATV vacations, or solo rides, can be combined with whitewater rafting and other wilderness adventures.

And when the time is right, snowmobile rentals will give you access to miles and miles of groomed trails, and sled dogs will make your feel at home...

...as they lead you along favorite dog sledding trails.

Winter in The Forks, Maine is also a perfect time for fine-tuning snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and ice skating techniques, and when road conditions permit...

...a winter-wonderland drive along...

...one of Maine's Scenic Byways, Old Canada Road Scenic Byway (Route 201).

From Bingham, Maine northerly to the Canadian Border, this 75-mile route passes through Caratunk, The Forks, Lake Parlin and Jackman...

...and offers spectacular year-round vistas of the Kennebec River Valley.

If you are lucky enough to vacation in Maine during fall foliage season, and drive the Old Canada Scenic Byway, you will likely be in awe!

The Forks, Maine Lodging and Rentals

More than likely your vacation in The Forks, Maine is all about unwinding and taking full advantage of Mother Nature's offerings. Lodging accommodations in The Forks will allow you to do just that!

You will be miles from big name hotels or motels in The Forks - no Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, or Super 8 here.

Instead, the list of places to stay in The Forks, Maine, and in nearby West Forks, ME, is filled with names quite appropriate to their environment.

Situated along the banks of the Kennebec River Crab Apple Whitewater in Maine offers lodging, dining and guided tours.

The Crab Apple Lodge, which sits adjacent to the resorts swimming pool and hot tubs, has six private units and two Deluxe Units - Moose Crossing and Bear's Den.

Penobscot River Maine Roomier accommodation can be found in the individually decorated Crab Apple Suites that have refrigerators and two person Jacuzzi tubs...

...or in the Snow Cottage, Spring Cottage and River Cottage, which offer spacious living for families and friends.

As a side note... If you have heard the name before and associate Crab Apple Whitewater with Vermont or Massachusetts, you are not imagining things. There are New England Crab Apple Resort locations in those states, as well.

The Fifteen Mile Stream Lodge and Outfitters offers "superior guide service along with good Maine hospitality all year long". With a full service restaurant and bar, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, you won't be far from some of the comforts of home.

The Professional River Runners Grand View Lodge accommodates overnight guests in a classic New England bed and breakfast. In addition to the West Forks, Maine B&B, the Grand View has one and two bedroom deluxe condos, and a country cottage - all with a living room, dining area, and fully equipped kitchen.

The property boasts "panoramic mountain views" and "spectacular sunrises", and during snowmobile season in The Forks, Maine, a 1,000 square-mile maintained trail system can be accessed from the backyard of the Grand Lodge.

On a bluff overlooking the Kennebec River in The Forks, Inn by the River is in the "heart of whitewater rafting in the summer, and snowmobiling in the winter".

Whether you are traveling solo, with a companion, or as part of a large group, the Inn on the River has adequate lodging in one of their ten private guest rooms with private baths, or in the Carriage House Apartment that can sleep up to 12 people.

In comparison to many resort towns, the cost of lodging in The Forks, Maine is quite affordable and it is easy at certain times of the year to find great room discounts.

Campground The Forks Maine However, if you want a truly cheap place to stay, The Forks has many camping areas...

...from primitive camping to campsites closer to amenities.

Camping is available at some of the places listed above, along with a number of other campgrounds in The Forks area.

Hut-to-hut hiking, such as Northern Outdoors hiking vacation packages, is another excellent way to see this awesome wilderness. The Poplar Stream Hut, the Flagstaff Hut and the Grand Falls Hut...

...are the first to be constructed in the Maine Huts and Trails System and come with some of the amenities of home. Showers, home-cooked meals and comfortable bunkrooms will make overnight hikes in The Forks, Maine a luxury!

And when you are traveling with your family, a group of friends, or you just want complete privacy, the best budget lodging may easily be cabin rentals in The Forks, Maine, a lodge, or vacation home - all of which can be reserved through one of the areas wilderness adventure outfitters.

The Forks, Maine Restaurants

There is probably no better way to create a ravenous hunger than to spend endless hours enjoying outdoor activity. So, without a doubt, you are going to work up quite an appetite while on vacation in The Forks, Maine.

Lucky for you, many of the outdoor outfitters and lodges in The Forks...

Camping The Forks Maine ...provide breakfast and dinner daily, serving some of the best home-cooked meals you may have enjoyed in quite some time.

If the urge strikes, and you want to get out to enjoy more local flavor...

...the Marshall Inn Restaurant and Bar in The Forks, is housed in a building where locals and visitors have been quests since the 1890's. Today, Marshall's offers pub fare in a casual environment, and seating for just you or the large group you may be traveling with.

Located across from the Kennebec River, on Route 201, "right on ITS 86 & 87" Marshall's also provides inexpensive rooms for travelers.

Regardless of where you find places to eat in The Forks, Maine, you will not go to bed hungry. The natives know all about long days in the wilderness!

Contact Me