Question about Maine backcountry camping

[Pseudonym]

In three or four trips, I've never paddled past the confluence with the St. John. Tylor Kelly Camps is an outfitter located at the confluence, who I've shuttled with at least once, and many other Maine outfitters shuttle the Allagash trip too. I'm sure you wouldn't have any trouble getting someone to pick you up in Fort Kent, because whether you shuttle up or shuttle down, you'll likely have to drive through there anyhow.

For what it's worth, the last stretch of the Allagash has a few camps on it and then the area at the confluence with the St. John is pretty well settled. After the serenity of what feels like a remote trip, that last stretch is just a little bit of a let down and definitely feels like the "end." I've never paddled the St. John, but I've driven along that stretch and know there's a border crossing in Fort Kent, and several towns on both sides of the St. John (which is also the border) so I would take a look at the satellite maps and decide whether or not that stretch fits the character of the of river you'd like to finish your trip with.

 

[JD Corry]

Curious what experience everyone has with outfitters providing shuttles for the Allagash? I was debating a run all the way to Fort Kent, but it seems many stop at the confluence with the St. John River... not sure whether there are outfitters that would ferry that far.

I’ve used the shuttle service provided by Norm at Pelletier’s Campground in St Francis for both Allagash and St John river trips and I highly recommend him. I plan to do the St John again in May and I’ll be giving Norm a call.

If you mail a set of your vehicle keys to him in advance you can also choose to drive yourself to the put-in and he will have your vehicle waiting at your take out location.

 

[Modified Ottertail]

A lot of Maine wilderness is privately owned by timber and mineral companies. Some of these areas are available for camping via agreements with the state, i.e the Allegash Wilderness Waterway. Generally speaking, state land camping is on degnated sites only. There are some areas that may allow dispersed use, but they don't seem to be common. National Forests allow for dispersed camping, but have rules about how close you can be to certain places. (See below for information about White Mountain NF)

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/whitemountain/recreation/camping-cabins/?actid=34&recid=74405

When camping in the backcountry - camping and fires are prohibited:​

• Within 200 feet of certain trails and water bodies.
• Within 1/4 mile of backcountry facilities (shelters, huts, and trailheads).
• In the alpine zone - where trees are 8 feet or less (except on two feet of snow).
• Within 1/4 mile of certain roads.
• Please consult the Forest's Backcountry Camping Rules for more information.
• Be certain to view the Recreation Conditions Report for the most current trail and camping information.

Dispersed Camping Areas
Androscoggin Ranger District
Gentian Pond Shelter
Hermit Lake Shelters
Imp Shelter
Mt Cabot Cabin
Osgood Tentsite
Rattle River Shelter
Trident Col Tentsite
Unknown Pond Tentsite
Valley Way Tentsite
Pemigewasset Ranger District
Beaver Brook Shelter
Coppermine Shelter
Eliza Brook Shelter
Ethan Pond Shelter
Franconia Brook Tentsite
Garfield Ridge Shelter
Guyot Shelter
Hexacuba Shelter
Jeffers Brook Shelter
Kinsman Pond Shelter
Liberty Springs Tentsite
Moose Mountain Shelter
Smarts Mountain Campsite
Thirteen Falls Tentsite
Three Ponds Shelter
Trapper John Shelter
Tripoli Road Camping Area
Velvet Rocks Shelter
Saco Ranger District
Baldface Shelter
Camp Penacook Shelter
Dry River Shelter #3
Flat Mountain Pond Shelter
Fourth Iron Campground
Jim Liberty Cabin
Mead Explorer Base Camp
Mountain Pond Shelter
Nauman Shelter Tentsite
Province Pond Shelter
Rocky Branch Shelter #1
Sawyer Pond Shelter & Tentsite
Wentworth Trail / Mead BaseTrailhead

NB: The White Mountain National Forest is almost entirely in New Hampshire.

 

[Modified Ottertail]

I’ve used the shuttle service provided by Norm at Pelletier’s Campground in St Francis for both Allagash and St John river trips and I highly recommend him. I plan to do the St John again in May and I’ll be giving Norm a call.

If you mail a set of your vehicle keys to him in advance you can also choose to drive yourself to the put-in and he will have your vehicle waiting at your take out location.

We used Norm at Pelletier's for both a shuttle on the Allagash and to stay the night before we put in. I would absolutely recommend and use him again.

FWIW, private guides, such as Norm and his staff, do the shuttles around Chase Rapids, not the rangers.

 

[Art D]

We used Norm at Pelletier's for both a shuttle on the Allagash and to stay the night before we put in. I would absolutely recommend and use him again.

FWIW, private guides, such as Norm and his staff, do the shuttles around Chase Rapids, not the rangers.

This may be partially true. I did the Allagash twice last year and can confirm the rangers will ferry your gear around Chase Rapids for $10. I do not know for sure that they will take passengers, but it is my understanding that is so.