St. Croix River Canoe Trip, Maine
The Saint Croix river means great Maine canoeing throughout the summer and into the fall. Great Maine canoeing means a comfortable mix of quiet water and rapids, nice campsites and beautiful headwater lakes all waiting for you to explore- even during the fall foliage.

The St. Croix river flows along the Maine-New Brunswick border in eastern Maine. Canoeing the St. Croix river's class I & II rapids is best characterized as lively yet not intimidating. Add some warm water and warm weather and you get some fun Maine canoeing in the summer, add some brisk mornings and spectacular foliage and you get some beautiful Maine canoeing in the fall. Either way the St. Croix river is a great family canoe trip.

The Saint Croix river is excellent for learning basic whitewater paddling technique or the art of poling a canoe.

The relaxing pace of a four-day itinerary allows plenty of time to enjoy the Saint Croix river's many qualities, whether you prefer fishing, spending time in camp, or enjoying the day on river. The trip can be lengthened by paddling the Saint Croix rivers headwater lakes, known for island campsites and magnificent sunsets.

Suggested Maine canoe trips on the Saint Croix river:
  • Vanceboro to Loon Bay, 3 day canoe trip
  • Vanceboro to Kellyland, 4 day canoe trip
  • Walker Cove to Kellyland, 5 day canoe trip
  • Forest City to Kellyland, 6 day canoe trip
Notable Qualities: The Saint Croix river is perhaps the only choice for an extended canoe trip, with whitewater, in the middle of the summer season and into the fall in Maine. Canoeing the Saint Croix in the summer provides an excellent opportunity to learn basic whitewater technique and wilderness camping skills with warm water and warm weather conditions well past the black fly season which infringes on spring in Maine. Canoeing the Saint Croix river in the fall is a beautiful Maine canoeing experience.

Insider Tip: Fall foliage canoe trips on the Saint Croix river are a Maine canoeing treat.

Camping: Primitive campsites along both sides of the river with picnic tables and pit toilets available on a first-come first served basis.

Fishing: Maine fishing license required.

Wildlife: Bald eagles, moose, white-tailed deer, various birds and waterfowl are all native to Maine. Canoeing quietly in the early morning is the best time for viewing wildlife on river.

Scenery: Tall pines, spruce, balsam fir, mixed hardwoods and some open grasslands punctuated with large granite boulders, spectacular fall foliage. A classic Maine canoeing scene, yet you can experience this Maine canoeing scene throughout the season... and there is a good chance you will not have neighbors.

Drinking Water: Filtration system or bring your own.
Rental Equipment & Services
Provisioning & Food Prep $170 + cost of food
Old Town and Mad River canoes incl. paddles, PFD's $35/day
4 & 2 man tents w/sleeping pads $5/night
camp stoves $5/day
lantern $5/day
kitchen gear $5/day
tarp $2/day
dry bag 4.2 cu. feet $2/day
cooler $1/day
saw $1/day
*we do not rent personal items such as sleeping bags, axes, or insulated coffee mugs*
River Shuttles 2008
Basic River Shuttle- we drop your party off and pick your party up while providing safe parking for your vehicle(s) while you are on river $350 + $170/addl. Sunrise vehicle round trip
Bangor Shuttle- we pick you up and drop you off at Bangor Intl. Airport; rate is in addition to the Basic Shuttle rate $200 + $170/addl. Sunrise vehicle round trip
Via River Shuttle- we meet your party at your planned take-out and transport your party and gear to your put-in leaving your vehicle(s) behind; you are responsible for returning any rented equipment to our Machias location $250 + $120/addl. Sunrise vehicle one-way
A custom quote to move your vehicle(s)
while you are on river will not be less than
the via river shuttle option
Register for a Trip Now
Reservation & Cancelation Policy .pdf
st. croix river map