While Maine ocean water can be too chilly for swimming throughout most of the colder months, Vacationland’s rivers, lakes and ponds never disappoint! And, our rivers are truly some of the cleanest in New England. Probably even the entire country. While you can take a dip in nearly any body of water in Maine, we love the idea of making a day of it with a planned activity. Most people immediately think of kayaking in Maine or even Maine paddle boarding. But we recommend you try tubing in Maine for an easy-as-can-be trip. Best of all, the amount of time you spend on the river is completely up to you. Take a fun 3 hours or relax all day depending on how many times you stop along the way.
Maine’s first river tubing outfitter has been providing trips and guide services since the 90s.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
Which probably explains why they’ve perfected the art of fun on the water!
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
Bullfrog Adventures is located in beautiful Caratunk, Maine.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
They run a variety of different river-related trips, from tubing to kayaking to overnight trips at their campground.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
Today we’re focused on the self-guided tubing trips on the Kennebec River.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
The trip starts with a van ride to the put-in point in The Forks, which is at the confluence of the Dead and Kennebec Rivers.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
From here, you’ll float 8 gorgeous, fun and relaxing miles down river to the Appalachian Trail crossing in Caratunk.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
The river along this route is calm and relatively shallow, with occasional easy, class 1 rapids which make it a bit more fun.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
The 8-mile route will take between 2.5 and 3 hours, but we recommend stopping along the way to relax and watch the river.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
You might even find some fun activities along the way.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
One of the things that makes Bullfrog Adventures in Maine extra special is their custom designed tubes, perfect for the routes included in each of their trips.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
Included in the tube rental is your custom river tube, a life jacket and the shuttle to and from the river. For $20 you can even rent a cooler full of ice to add a level of chill to your trip.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
Guided trips on the Kennebec and Dead Rivers are also available and include all the same elements PLUS as many of your friends as you can drag along.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
If tubing isn’t your thing, there are tons of other things you can do with Bullfrog Adventures. Try your skills at kayaking or canoeing on the Sheepscott River, the Souadabscook Stream, the Kenduskeag Stream, Piscataquis River or the St. George River. These are truly some of the best rivers in the state for relaxing or even having a more involved adventure.
Bullfrog Adventures / Facebook
Bullfrog Adventures’ Base Camp can be reached on 207-672-9298. For more information, including what every trip entails and how to book check out their website. See more fun pictures and keep up to date with weather and any changes on Facebook. Address: 745 US Route 201, Caratunk, ME, 04925. Remember that Bullfrog is in operation from April through October, but actual dates may vary so be sure to check their schedule. You can see it here.
Another great way to beat the heat this summer is at this natural water slide formation in Newry. These falls are beautiful, but best of all they’re slipper enough to make for some of the best slipping and sliding fun in the state!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Tubing in Maine June 18, 2019 Michelle Where is the best place to go tubing in Maine? Maine is one of the best places for water tubing in all of New England. While there are plenty of locations that will keep things fun, the Sheepscot River is one of the best! Whether you prefer a leisurely ride at your own pace, or crave the adventure that comes with small rapids you’ll find it in the Sheepscot. But, that doesn’t mean our other rivers aren’t worth exploring. From Portland to Bangor to The County, there are plenty of water adventures just waiting for visitors and locals to experience. What else can I do besides tubing at Sheepscot River? In addition to tubing, the Sheepscot River in Maine is great for kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and swimming. Depending on the area, you’ll find calm waters as well as water that can be a bit rougher at certain times of year. As the snow melts, spring often brings more rapids while the summer offers more calming waters. Maine is a great place to live if you love the outdoors, so we imagine that most folks here are finding any number of fun things to do in the river! Rope swing, anyone? Does Maine have clean rivers? The Clean Water Act has been around for more than 45 years. As a result, Maine’s rivers, lakes and ponds tend to be some of the cleanest you’ll find in New England. It helps that many of the factories and mills in the state have shut down, making industrial waste far less prevalent. Another helpful boon to Maine’s waterways is the concern of local citizens. It’s not uncommon to find community groups that make waterway cleanups an important part of their efforts to give back to the areas in which they live.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tubing in Maine
June 18, 2019
Michelle
Where is the best place to go tubing in Maine? Maine is one of the best places for water tubing in all of New England. While there are plenty of locations that will keep things fun, the Sheepscot River is one of the best! Whether you prefer a leisurely ride at your own pace, or crave the adventure that comes with small rapids you’ll find it in the Sheepscot. But, that doesn’t mean our other rivers aren’t worth exploring. From Portland to Bangor to The County, there are plenty of water adventures just waiting for visitors and locals to experience. What else can I do besides tubing at Sheepscot River? In addition to tubing, the Sheepscot River in Maine is great for kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and swimming. Depending on the area, you’ll find calm waters as well as water that can be a bit rougher at certain times of year. As the snow melts, spring often brings more rapids while the summer offers more calming waters. Maine is a great place to live if you love the outdoors, so we imagine that most folks here are finding any number of fun things to do in the river! Rope swing, anyone? Does Maine have clean rivers? The Clean Water Act has been around for more than 45 years. As a result, Maine’s rivers, lakes and ponds tend to be some of the cleanest you’ll find in New England. It helps that many of the factories and mills in the state have shut down, making industrial waste far less prevalent. Another helpful boon to Maine’s waterways is the concern of local citizens. It’s not uncommon to find community groups that make waterway cleanups an important part of their efforts to give back to the areas in which they live.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Maine is one of the best places for water tubing in all of New England. While there are plenty of locations that will keep things fun, the Sheepscot River is one of the best! Whether you prefer a leisurely ride at your own pace, or crave the adventure that comes with small rapids you’ll find it in the Sheepscot. But, that doesn’t mean our other rivers aren’t worth exploring. From Portland to Bangor to The County, there are plenty of water adventures just waiting for visitors and locals to experience.
What else can I do besides tubing at Sheepscot River?
In addition to tubing, the Sheepscot River in Maine is great for kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and swimming. Depending on the area, you’ll find calm waters as well as water that can be a bit rougher at certain times of year. As the snow melts, spring often brings more rapids while the summer offers more calming waters. Maine is a great place to live if you love the outdoors, so we imagine that most folks here are finding any number of fun things to do in the river! Rope swing, anyone?
Does Maine have clean rivers?
The Clean Water Act has been around for more than 45 years. As a result, Maine’s rivers, lakes and ponds tend to be some of the cleanest you’ll find in New England. It helps that many of the factories and mills in the state have shut down, making industrial waste far less prevalent. Another helpful boon to Maine’s waterways is the concern of local citizens. It’s not uncommon to find community groups that make waterway cleanups an important part of their efforts to give back to the areas in which they live.
