Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation

02/23/2026

Ever dreamed of trading your studio for the rugged beauty of the Allagash? The deadline for the 2026 Artist-in-Residence program is Monday, March 2!

This is a rare chance for a visual artist to spend two weeks this August at the historic Lock Dam Cabin — the same rustic, one-room home where Dorothy Boone Kidney wrote "Away From It All."

The Details:
📍 Where: Lock Dam Cabin, Allagash Wilderness Waterway
🗓️ When: Two weeks in August 2026
💰 Stipend: $1,000 (generously provided by AWWF)
⏳ Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026

Apply here: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/discover_history_explore_nature/activities/aww-artist-residency.shtml

Need some inspiration? Check out this interview with our inaugural artist, Michael Vermette, who captured 51 paintings in just 14 days! From bull moose encounters to painting the "Race" on Chamberlain Lake, his experience shows just how transformative this residency can be.

Read the interview here: https://www.nrcm.org/blog/michael-vermette-allagash-visiting-artist/

02/06/2026

Attention Parents of 8th Grade Students:
Please join us with your child for a very important virtual informational event scheduled for next Wednesday, for the "Youth on the Allagash" 8th grade trip this June!

Meeting Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/93994860286?pwd=BWIJpPrAtVcobAMa2FqYbntuEQZJRN.1
Meeting ID: 939 9486 0286
Passcode: 690585

02/05/2026

The Allagash just got a significant upgrade last summer.

A massive thank you to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail for their tireless stewardship work over the 2025 season. They’ve improved accessibility, fixed eroded trails, and refurbished campsites across the waterway—including a brand new ADA-compliant privy at Gravel Beach! 👏

We are so lucky to have this dedicated crew protecting Maine’s wilderness. See the details of their hard work below! 👇

https://thecounty.me/2026/01/30/community/allagash-campsites-trails-see-improvements/

09/23/2025

‼️Due to overwhelming demand, we've added a second Fall Foliage Express trip‼️

Join us on Sunday, September 28, at 11 a.m. for another chance to ride the rails and support the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation.

This unique passenger train excursion offers breathtaking views of Maine's stunning autumn scenery and views of Mount Katahdin and Baxter State Park. All proceeds directly benefit our Youth on the Allagash (YOTA) program, helping us expand our reach and get more students on the river.

Tickets are extremely limited and will sell out quickly, just like the first ride! Get yours now:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fall-foliage-express-2nd-ride-added-tickets-1720708337959?aff=oddtdtcreator

A huge thank you to our partners at New Brunswick-Maine Railway for making this second trip possible. We can't wait to see you there!

09/09/2025

📢On Sunday, September 28, AWWF, in partnership with Maine Northern Railway and Irving Woodlands, LLC, will host the "Fall Foliage Express," a 90-minute vintage passenger 🚂 train excursion departing from Millinocket at 8:30 a.m.

This special fundraising ride offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience Maine's renowned autumn splendor during peak foliage season. Passengers will journey through landscapes not typically accessible by car or foot, enjoying panoramic views of Mount Katahdin, Baxter State Park, and the surrounding wilderness.
📖 Cont. reading: https://www.awwf.org/fall-foliage-express/

07/29/2025

"From an ecological perspective, the Allagash is an extraordinary place, a place of superlatives. There is simply nothing quite like it anywhere in the United States east of the Rockies."

That passage, from a new book called "This Extraordinary Place—A Guide to Allagash Ecology," starts to convey what it is that makes the region so distinctive.

Part of the appeal comes from having no roads, no towns, and no cell service.

07/18/2025

Three YOTA trips, expertly guided by Chewonki, concluded on July 1st, bringing a wave of newly acquired outdoor skills back to the St. John Valley and Ashland.

These three-day excursions were a crash course in self-sufficiency, and students’ abilities grew by leaps and bounds. They learned how to properly set up and break down a tent, ensuring a solid night’s sleep under the stars. Filtering water became second nature, providing fresh hydration straight from the river. The challenge of cooking over an open fire was transformed into a rewarding experience, and mastering the art of efficiently loading and unloading gear meant smoother transitions on and off the water. Continue reading https://www.awwf.org/2025-youth-on-the-allagash-a-summer-of-growth/

06/30/2025

Make sure to get your copy of "This Extraordinary Place" before heading to the this summer! The new guidebook is a beautiful companion guide that dives into the unique and vital ecology of the Allagash, building on Janet McMahon’s 2023 study, "A River in Space & Time".

Featuring expert contributions and stunning illustrations, it’s an essential resource for anyone passionate about this pristine landscape. You can purchase the new guide through our partners at Northern Forest Canoe Trail:

https://shop.northernforestcanoetrail.org/product/98E2AD8-A/this-extraordinary-place-a-guide-to-allagash-ecology

06/25/2025

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) was established in 1966 by the Maine legislature and designated as the first state-administered component of the National Wild and Scenic River System. This 92-mile river has been a destination for remote recreation since the creation of the waterway. Perhaps m...

06/20/2025

Honoring Dana Shaw: Dana Richard Shaw, a master Maine guide, spent over 50 years guiding on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, forging lifelong friendships and inspiring countless adventurers. A passionate conservationist, he helped preserve the Allagash’s pristine beauty for future generations. In his memory, we’re raising funds for the Youth On The Allagash (YOTA) Program, to provide young people with transformative wilderness experiences that Dana cherished. Your donation will honor his legacy by helping youth explore and protect this cherished waterway. Join us in keeping Dana’s spirit alive. Thank you for your generosity.

https://www.awwf.org/fundraiser-honors-allagash-legend-dana-richard-shaw/

06/18/2025

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT‼️ 2X Match active now until June 30th! Please give today to help support programs like our Youth on the Allagash.

At AWWF, our mission to preserve, protect, and enhance this remarkable wild river is deeply intertwined with a focus on fostering future stewards. A cornerstone of this commitment is our Youth on the Allagash program.

YOTA is more than just a paddling trip; it's an immersive educational journey. We remove barriers to participation by offering these transformative trips free of charge, ensuring access for youth from the St. John River Valley, Ashland, and other areas across the state.

We are incredibly excited about the significant expansion of YOTA, paving the way for all eighth-grade students in the St. John Valley to experience the Allagash firsthand starting in 2026. This ambitious goal, along with our ongoing work in natural resource monitoring, cultural interpretation and Wabanaki collaboration, relies entirely on the generosity of our supporters.

We are incredibly excited about the significant expansion of YOTA, paving the way for all eighth-grade students in the St. John Valley to experience the Allagash firsthand starting in 2026. This ambitious goal, along with our ongoing work in natural resource monitoring, cultural interpretation, and Wabanaki collaboration, relies entirely on the generosity of our supporters.

🛶 www.awwf.org/give 🫎