Do you love adventure? Then we have a fabulous bucket list for you to tackle! The Maine Highlands is home to some of the best outdoor opportunities in New England, including Maine's tallest peak, largest lake, and a world-class trail system. See how many things you can cross off your bucket list this year...

Hike Mount Katahdin Maine’s shining gem, Mount Katahdin, is and will always be one of Maine’s most majestic sights. Maine’s highest mountain peaks at near a mile. Named by the Penobscot Indians, Katahdin means “Greatest Mountain.” The first recorded climb belonged to Charles Turner, Jr. in 1804, and one of Katahdin’s most famously documented trips comes from author and explorer Henry David Thoreau in his travel book, The Maine Woods. Claiming 19 lives since 1963, this mountain is not for the unprepared.

There are several trails that are both beautiful and challenging. Mount Katahdin is noteworthy for being the most northern point of the Appalachian Trail and the starting point for the International Appalachian Trail.

Before you go there are things you must know about hiking Katahdin. The Baxter State Park website has a whole lot of tips, rules, and trail information that is important to read over before heading out on a hike.

Try Dog Sledding
A Dog Sledding tour is one of Maine’s most unique winter adventures! Unforgettable and exhilarating, local professional sled guides are eager to take you out into the fresh air and share their love for this winter activity.

You can also catch the action from the sidelines at one of our region’s annual dog sled races.

Here is a list of local dog sled tour operators:

Lone Wolf Guiding Services, Greenville
Nahmakanta Camps, Nahmakanta Lake, Millinocket

Visit Gulf Hagas
This hidden wonderland is known as “The Grand Canyon of Maine.” These beautiful falls are located inside of the Katahdin Iron Works Forest and is a National Natural Landmark. This heavily wooded gorge is part of the “100 Mile Wilderness” and is carved through slate bedrock. The canyon goes as deep as 400 feet.

The entire Gulf Hagas trek is an 8 mile intermediate loop located near Greenville and Brownville Junction. It makes for an excellent day trip, and don’t forget to pack a towel!

Explore State Parks
The Maine Highlands is home to three state parks: Baxter State Park (Maine’s largest state park) in Millinocket, Lily Bay State Park in Greenville, and Peaks-Kenny State Park in Dover-Foxcroft.

Baxter State Park was established in 1931 and covers 200,000 acres in Piscataquis County. The park was a gift to the people of Maine from Governor Percival P. Baxter. With around 200 miles of maintained trails and 46 mountain peaks and ridges, Baxter State Park favors the prepared. If you’d like to go camping inside the park, advanced reservations are a must—and the sooner you make them the better!

Lily Bay State Park encompasses more than 900 acres, many of which are located along beautiful Moosehead Lake. With leaf peeping, hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating as some of the many outdoor activities, it’s no wonder this state park is a popular spot!

Peaks-Kenny State Park makes for a great, secluded camping spot. The campsites are set far apart, so this state park is a great choice for families looking to unplug and unwind. Campers and day trippers alike flock to the lovely beachfront along Sebec Lake for swimming, boating, fishing, and other water sports.

Take a Ride on the Steamboat Katahdin
If you’ve ever wanted to explore majestic Moosehead Lake in a unique way, hop aboard the historic steamboat Katahdin. A National Historic Site, the steamboat Katahdin, more than any other remaining piece of Moosehead’s history, truly reflects the many eras, interests and businesses of the region’s past and present. Built in 1914 by the young shipyard Bath Iron Works, the Katahdin was later converted to diesel. Now in her centennial year, she is the final link to a bygone era. Affectionately called the “Kate”, she’s a beautiful vessel and a step into the past.

Take a Wildlife Tour
Having a well-trained, registered Maine guide can be a great advantage to your moose finding excursion­—by water or land! Guides know the best spots to find these majestic creatures, and how close you can get to them. The Maine Highlands’s rich environment and natural terrain offers some of the best spots in the state to see a moose. A moose safari is a family-friendly adventure that practically guarantees you access to Maine’s most majestic mammals.

Here are some local businesses that offer guided services:

Katahdin Region
Big Moose Inn Cabins & Campgrounds, Millinocket Lake
Bowlin Camps, Patten
Katahdin Air, Millinocket
Maine Quest Adventures, Medway
Nahmakanta Camps, Nahmakanta Lake, Millinocket
New England Outdoor Center, Millinocket Lake
Spencer Cove Outfitters, Ambajejus Lake, Millinocket
West Branch Aviation, Millinocket

Moosehead Region
Allagash Canoe Trips, Greenville
East Outlet Guide & Fly Shop, Moosehead
Gray Ghost Guide Service, Greenville
Lawrence’s Lakeside Cabins & Guide Service, Rockwood
Lone Wolf Guiding Services, Greenville
Northwoods Camp Rentals, Greenville
Northeast Whitewater, Greenville
Northwoods Outfitters, Greenville
The Birches Resort, Rockwood
Young’s Guide Service, Greenville

Go Whitewater Rafting
The West Branch of the Penobscot River is one of the most popular rivers to raft in the state…and for good reason! It’s technical, challenging, and provides an adventure like no other. With class IV and V whitewater, this river provides exciting descents from McKay Station to Pockwockamus Falls, through the Class V Ripogenus Gorge and Cribworks. This trip is 14 miles long, and you are guaranteed the thrill of your life!

Not quite ready to tackle the rapids but still want to get out on the water? Try a family-friendly floating trip that is less strenuous but still packed full of fun.

The rafting season starts in late April and lasts until October. The following rafting businesses would be pleased to help you plan your 2016 rafting adventure:

New England Outdoor Center, Millinocket
North Country Rivers, Bingham
Northeast Whitewater, Greenville
Northwoods Outfitters, Greenville
Moose Mountain Inn, Greenville
The Birches Resort, Rockwood

Go Geocaching
There are over 4,000 geocaches in Maine, and new treasures are being hidden every day! Geocaching in The Maine Highlands is a four season adventure game that can be enjoyed at any age. This is a great family friendly activity that gets everyone outside enjoying nature and the fresh Maine air.

Take a Scenic Floatplane Tour
A scenic floatplane tour is a unique way to see The Maine Highlands from a different perspective. It truly is a great way to appreciate the enormity and rage of geography in our region! Many companies offer fall foliage tours, sunset tours, and wildlife watching tours.

The Maine Highlands is also home to the international Seaplane Fly-In, which is held in Greenville annually the weekend after Labor Day. Here’s a list of some local tour operators:

Currier’s Flying Service, Greenville Junction
Fletcher Mountain Aviation, Greenville
Jack’s Air Service, Greenville
Katahdin Air, Millinocket
West Branch Aviation, Millinocket

Take part in the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race
The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, held annually on the third weekend of April, is the largest paddling event in New England and one of the largest in the country. Hosted by the Bangor Dept. of Parks & Recreation, the 16.5 mile race begins in the Town of Kenduskeag and ends near the confluence of the Penobscot River in downtown Bangor.

Although the number of paddlers varies from year to year, as many as 1,500 contestants have participated in a single race during the mid-1990s. Since 1967, over 28,000 paddlers have participated in the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race.

This is a fun event each year, and many participants dress up and paddle a themed canoe.