LGBTQ+ Allagash River Canoe Trip with L.L. Bean
Arrive: 4pm September 7, Trip: September 8-11, 2025
Join TVOP and L.L. Bean in our kickoff year of offering epic LGBTQ+ trips! This season, we’re embarking on the river adventure of a lifetime in the Maine North Woods.
Over the course of four days, we’ll paddle nearly 35 miles of the legendary 92-mile Allagash Wilderness Waterway, assisted by a gentle downriver current and a few sections of light, fun Class I rapids. Designed to give people of all skill levels the confidence to embark on one of Maine’s most iconic journeys, this trip includes expert paddling instruction, the use of quality L.L.Bean gear, comfortable riverside camping, and crave-worthy campfire meals.
Moving down the river in tandem (two-person) canoes, there will be plenty of time to swap stories - and revel in the quiet. Learn new paddling skills, take in the rocky shorelines and coniferous woodlands, and look out for the abundant wildlife - including eagles, loons, and moose - that make this waterway their home. Relax at camp after exciting paddling days to the sound of a river full of life and adventure.
Away from modern amenities and distractions, you’ll experience life in all of its beautiful simplicity, giving you the time to connect with nature and one another.
This trip is intended for adults 18 years & older and is substance-free, which means we ask folks to leave alcoholic beverages and non-prescription substances at home. You do not need to identify as a person in recovery to join a substance-free event with us. For more on our trip substance policies, you can click to view our General Trip and Refund Policies here.
GENERAL INFO
Location: Allagash River, ME
(Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy), N’dakina (Abenaki/Abénaquis), Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) lands)
Start Date: Arrive: 4pm September 7; trip starts September 8, 2025
End Date: September 11, 2025
Cost: $1200-$2000 sliding scale
Estimated value: $1500
To find out where you fall best in our sliding scale, see the “Why does this trip cost money?” dropdown below.
Includes: All meals and snacks from breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on Day 4, all necessary camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, etc.), all necessary paddling equipment (canoes, paddles, PFDs, throw bags, etc.), canoeing gear (dry bags, camp chair, utensils, cups, bowls), first aid kit and safety gear.
Doesn't Include: Carpool to trip location, flights, personal items, toiletries, clothing.
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In order for Venture Out to remain financially viable and sustainable, we have had to increase our prices to account for the increased expenses we are incurring as well as the corporate pullback around DEI support and initiatives. Our priority will always be to keep our trips and experiences as affordable as possible. At the same time, our goal is also to remain self-sustaining so that we can continue to serve our community for at least another 10 years. We are doing everything we can to continue to keep our prices low and we appreciate your understanding of our pricing so that we can continue to flourish as an organization with a queer staff.
We offer a sliding scale:
Our sliding scale is meant to make our trips and events more accessible for those who experience financial barriers, are looking for reparations pricing, and/or have high travel expenses. Paying a higher amount allows us to provide more opportunities to others. Paying a smaller amount is recommended for those who would not otherwise be able to afford the estimated value. Please choose an amount that you will be able to pay, but will not hinder your ability to afford food, housing, etc. By paying as much as you can, we are able to serve more of our community members.
Our sliding scale recommendation:
- Low: Yearly income $30,000 or under, struggles to meet basic needs
- Mid (pays estimated value): Yearly income $40,000-$75,000, some expendable income
- High: Yearly income $80,000-$100,000, comfortable, never struggles with basic needs
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Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.