Allagash Wilderness Waterway: the route, the season and the permits

The Waterway runs north from the Telos and Chamberlain lakes, through Churchill Dam and Chase Rapids, down a chain of lakes and river miles to the St. John. Rangers register every party at the southern access and again at Michaud Farm near the north end. The Allagash Falls portage is mandatory — scout the takeout landing well above the lip.

A 92-mile corridor of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, usually paddled in 7 to 10 days.

Parties launch at Chamberlain Bridge (southern access) and take out at Allagash village; the route map lists every agency-sourced coordinate in between.

Open the Allagash Wilderness Waterway route map · compare it with the other nine trips

• Chamberlain Bridge to Allagash village — the full ~92-mile waterway
• Churchill Dam to Allagash village — the river half, including Chase Rapids and the Allagash Falls portage

Best window: Late May – September.

Overnight campers register and pay per-person, per-night fees at North Maine Woods checkpoints or with Allagash Wilderness Waterway rangers. No advance lottery — but you must pass a checkpoint to reach the put-ins, and fees are collected there.

Maine DACF — Allagash rules & fees ↗

Full permit page for this trip

• Chase Rapids — Class II whitewater right after Churchill Dam
• Heavy wind on the big lakes (Chamberlain, Eagle) that pins paddlers ashore
• Black flies and mosquitoes through mid-June
• Rough logging-road access that damages vehicles
• Cold water in spring and fall

Filter or treat all natural water sources. Potable water is occasionally available at ranger stations such as Churchill Dam — don't count on it.

Ranger stations carry emergency radios, but there is no cell service — a satellite messenger is strongly recommended. Log in at every checkpoint so rangers know you are on the water.

• Churchill Dam to Allagash village · 5 days — The river half of the waterway: Chase Rapids (Class II), Umsaskis and Long Lake, and the portage around Allagash Falls.
• The full waterway · 8 days — Chamberlain Bridge to Allagash village — the classic traverse across the big lakes and down the river.
• Big lakes traverse · 6 days — Chamberlain Bridge across Chamberlain and Eagle lakes to Churchill Dam — the lake half of the waterway, for parties skipping the river run.

Build your own dates in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway trip planner

One of the densest moose populations in the East, plus black bears, bald eagles and native brook trout in the cold tributaries.

Group size is limited to 12 (larger groups need a special permit). Camp only at designated sites with authorized fire rings; carry in, carry out is strictly enforced.