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.