Boating
Are you planning to haul your boat on your trip to the northern outdoors? With all the wonderful lakes in the area, boating is a great way to get fresh air. Here are a few guidelines to help you:
Any watercraft equipped with any horsepower must be registered in the state of Maine. Boats registered in other states can operate in Maine for up to 60 days without obtaining a Maine registration. There are public launches on Attean Pond and Big Wood Lake.
Any watercraft less than 16 feet must carry one approved flotation device for each person aboard. Children under 11 are required to wear an approved flotation device in all watercraft. To learn more about boating and fishing in Maine, visit Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.
Kayaking & Canoeing
If you prefer to paddle during your stay, The Jackman-Moose River Region's various waterways offer excellent paddling for beginners and experts alike. The lakes and ponds with public boat landings make accessing more remote settings, such as Crocker Pond, Hobel Pond, Long Pond, and Little Big Wood, easy. Moose River connects Big Wood, Attean, Holeb, and Long Pond, making longer paddling trips possible. Play on the water for a few hours, or plan a weekend trip down a river, camping along the way.
If you start your adventure canoeing or kayaking on Big Wood Lake or Attean Pond, you will be close to town and feel like you are in complete wilderness as you venture onto the many streams you will find. Moose and Deer sightings and other small game and waterfowl are common. The Moose River then goes into Long Pond from Big Wood, offering a full day or more of exploration. If you prefer more remote kayaking, venture out to Holeb, Crocker, Parlin, or Little Big Wood Pond.
Renting
Boats, canoes and kayaks are available to rent from different businesses in town if you don't have one of your own.
Please visit the business directory for more information.
Paddling Trips
The Bow Trip
The 34 mile Moose River Bow Trip is one of the most outstanding canoe trips in Maine. The Bureau of Public Lands, of the Maine Department of Conservation, manages 19,231 acres of Public Reserved Lands surrounding much of the Bow Trip, which encompasses Holeb and Attean Ponds. This land is dedicated to multiple use, including recreation and forestry. The remaining length of the Bow Trip is on private land. Twenty-one wilderness campsites are scattered along the route. There are two portages required on this trip.
In case of emergency, canoeists can seek assistance from the Maine Forest Service of Bureau of Public Lands Rangers who patrol the area or the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife wardens in Jackman.
Camp fires are allowed at designated campsites. Most campsites in the Jackman-Moose River area and all campsites on the Bow River Trip require a fire permit. A fire permit may be obtained by calling the Maine Forest Service at 207-827-1800. Permits can no longer be filled out at the Jackman-Moose River Fire Department. All fires must be properly extinguished prior to leaving the campsite. All trash and garbage must be packed out unless trash cans are provided at the campsite. Please respect all landowners and leave any area the way that you would like to find it.
Find directions for the Bow Trip at Maine Trail Finder, or Cry of the Loon.
Moose River to Long Pond Canoe Trip
The trip from Moose River to Long Pond is about six miles long. From the east end of Long Pond to Brassua Lake on the Moose River is an area of fast water with Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 rapids. EXCEPT FOR EXPERTS with experience of the area and conditions, it is recommended that canoeists exit at Parlin Stream. If you decide to paddle the length of the pond, the take out is approximately 5 1/2 miles on the right hand shore, where Parlin Stream comes in off of Route 15. This is about 3 miles before the fast water. This canoeing adventure can be done in a day but remember to arrange a shuttle back to you place before beginning this trip. This trip can begin at the Moos River Campground, or across the bridge at the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge Park.
Sandy Stream Canoe Trip
Sandy Stream is between Holeb Road and Big Wood Lake. It is only runable during high water. This is a short, approximately 4 mile trip that is fun for the whole family. Moose and Deer are commonly seen on this trip. Put in at the first bridge on the Holeb Road. The stream quickly twists and turns its way down to Big Wood lake. Take out is at the Route 201 bridge where parking is available. Although the water may be fast moving, there are no rapids.
Remember to pack appropriate weather and survival kits when going on any wilderness trip.
White Water Rafting
If you are looking for more of an exhilarating boating adventure, you will be delighted with white water rafting as we have some of the best white water in the northeast. People of all ages and athletic abilities, with no previous experience, raft the rivers. This phenomenally popular sport was born in Maine after the last great log drive in Maine on the Kennebec River in 1975. Maine is the only state in the Northeast that can guarantee white water for an extended season-late April to Mid October, due to damn controlled release dates.
Although the Jackman-Moose River Region does not currently offer white water rafting trips, a 30 mile drive south to The Forks will give you the opportunity. Find more information at The Forks Chamber of Commerce.