Dead River High Water Dam Release

• Trip Overview
• Dead River High Water Prices and Schedule
• Rafting & Lodging Packages
• High Adventure Package - Kennebec & Dead River Two Day Combo
• GO FOR IT Rafts
• Nightfall Paintball

Action is the Name of the Game!

The Dead River has ten special high volume dam releases each season that produce big whitewater action over 16 miles. The river bed drops steadily during the entire run and produces long, consistent action that builds throughout the day in Class III-IV rapids such as "Humpty Dumpty", "Elephant Rock" and "Spruce Ledges". Each rapid includes long wave trains and sudden drops into deep holes. The Dead continues to build through dozens of rapids and culminates in the LONGEST RAPID IN THE NORTHEAST, Class IV-V "Poplar Hill Falls". "Poplar" on its own is one mile of whitewater with huge standing waves and deep, turbulent holes. When you combine "Poplar" with the rest of this action packed trip, you have the finest raft trip in the Northeast! Don't miss this special river adventure which guides and rafting veterans cherish each year. Check out the photo gallery

"What a thrilling ride down the Dead last weekend. We have rafted the Kennebec many times and finally got on the Dead. It was awesome, just like your guides have been telling us for years -it was just like the big rapids on the Kennebec for most of three hours. It was awesome!"

Jean and Walt - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Trip Overview:

2008 Schedule: See below

Rapid Classification: Class III-V
Miles: 16
River time: 3-4 hours
Minimum Age: 14
Food: Steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookout at base after trip
No. of people per boat: 8-9 (Go For It Rafts: 6)
Video and Slide Presentation

Specialty Trips Available: Go For It Rafts, High Adventure Package

Back To Top

Dead River High Water Prices and Schedule

Group Rates for 16 or more rafters

Back To Top

Rafting & Lodging Packages*

Each night of lodging includes a hot buffet breakfast -

eggs, sausage, home fries, pancakes, fruit, pastries, juice and coffee.

Standard Lodging (Lodge rooms, Deluxe Lodge Units, Spring Cottage)

2 night minimum: $90pp plus raft trip price

Premium Lodging (Snow Cottage, River Cottage, Suites)

2 night minimum: $120pp plus raft trip price

* For photos and details on our lodging options go to Lodging at Crab Apple.

Package Add-Ons

2nd Day of Rafting

     * High Adventure Package

     * Go For It raft

3rd Night Lodging

     * Save $15pp (some restrictions may apply)

Dinner

     At our full service restaurant, Crab Apple on the Kennebec.

     Entree, dessert, beverage, tax & gratuity - $20pp. Menu

Moose Safari

   We leave daily around dusk to search for giant Maine moose. We know all of their favorite spots to hang out. Bring your camera!  $40pp

Paintball

     Nightfall (see below) or Half-Day: $35pp

     Full Day: $70pp

     See Rapid Shot Paintball website for more details and pictures of the fields.

Back To Top

High Adventure Package - Kennebec & Dead River Two Day Combo

Put together the "Ultimate Whitewater Weekend" by combining the Dead River with a day of rafting on

the Kennebec and cover 28 miles of the Northeast's biggest whitewater over two days. Conquer

"Magic Falls" one day and descend "Poplar Hill Falls" on the other. Stay with us at Crab Apple in our suites, cottages or lodge for a comfortable, hassle-free trip.

Includes: All river access fees, rafting on the Dead and Kennebec Rivers plus two steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookouts

Schedule and Pricing:

May 3-4, 10-11, 24-25, May 31-June 1, June 7-8, 21-22, Sept 13-14, Oct 4-5 $197pp

August 9-10, 30-31 $224pp

"I don't know how you guys do it. Our guide writes us a personal thank you note after every trip and we write one back saying it was the best trip ever. Same thing again this year... the Kennebec was awesome on Saturday and the Dead was the best ride ever on Sunday. Luke was perfect as always, taking us into every wave and hole. See you next year!"

Betty - Marblehead, Massachusetts

High Adventure Package with Lodging

Add lodging and meals at Crab Apple during your High Adventure weekend. Stay in our Suites, Cottages or Lodge for a comfortable and hassle-free vacation. Add dinner and watch the game in our pub after a thrilling run down the river or add an evening of Paintball to complete the adrenaline rush.

Includes: Two nights lodging, two hot buffet breakfasts, all river access fees, rafting on the Kennebec and Dead Rivers and two steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookouts.

Standard Lodging (Lodge rooms, Deluxe Lodge Units, Spring Cottage)

2 night minimum: $90pp plus raft trip price

Save on 3 nights: $120pp plus raft trip price

Premium Lodging (Snow Cottage, River Cottage, Suites)

2 night minimum: $120pp plus raft trip price

Save on 3 nights: $165pp plus raft trip price

* For photos and details on our lodging options go to Lodging at Crab Apple.

Package Add-Ons

High Adventure Go For It Option

   Go For It raft on Dead and Kennebec (see below): $250pp

Dinner

     At our full service restaurant, Crab Apple on the Kennebec.

     Entree, dessert, beverage, tax & gratuity - $20pp

Moose Safari

   We leave daily around dusk to search for giant Maine moose. We know all of their favorite spots to hang out. Bring your camera!  $40pp

Paintball

     Nightfall (see below) or Half-Day: $35pp

     Full Day: $70pp

     See Rapid Shot Paintball website for more details and pictures of the fields.

Back To Top

GO FOR IT Rafts

Our 13 foot, 6 person Go For It rafts add a whole new challenge to the Dead River. Small rafts are easily maneuvered so that your crew can paddle toward any big wave or drop in the river, but look out when you get there--these small boats really get thrashed by the big waves and holes! This trip is geared toward veteran rafters and a minimum of 4 people is required to run a Go For It trip.

Price: $147 pp
Minimum Age: 16
Trip dates: Available all Dead River dates under 7,000 cfs

Nightfall Paintball

Play paintball on our four cool fields after a day of rafting on the Dead River. After the raft trip cookout and slideshow (about 4:00) we'll gather up the guns, throw on the camouflage and head to the playing fields for some action packed paintball games. Play until dusk - now that is cool!

Price: $35pp

See Rapid Shot Paintball website for more details and pictures of the fields.

Back To Top