Midcoast’s Season-Opening Run
The St. George River is the river that kicks off the whitewater season in midcoast Maine. While bigger rivers are still locked in ice, the St. George runs open and free, and every spring it hosts the St. George River Race from Searsmont to Appleton, a tradition the Waldo County YMCA has carried since the 1970s and, by reputation, the first whitewater river race on the Maine calendar. For paddlers in Knox and Waldo counties, this short, lively run is the first taste of moving water after a long winter.
The river is worth distinguishing from the lake that shares part of its name. This is the flowing St. George River through Searsmont and Appleton, not Lake St. George State Park, which is a swimming and camping lake over in Liberty. The river drains south through the midcoast farm country toward the sea at Port Clyde, but the paddled run covered here is the upper whitewater stretch.
The race-course run is about 5.5 miles and rated for solid intermediate skills. It mixes flatwater pools with several named rapids and ledges, all dependent on spring snowmelt. By summer the water drops too low to paddle this section, so the window is short and the timing matters.
The Route
The standard run goes from Searsmont to Appleton, about 5.5 miles, and it is an early-season run only. The put-in is near the Route 131 bridge in Searsmont, just west of the post office, with parking in a dirt lot nearby. The take-out is in Appleton, just after the Route 105 bridge.
Between pools and flatwater stretches, the run drops through several named rapids. Robbins Mills Rapids is a Class II-III drop, the Rooster Tail is a river-wide ledge, and Magog Rapid is another Class II-III drop. At high spring flows these features are pushy and continuous; as the water drops in late season they become rockier and harder to run cleanly. Scout the ledges if you have not run them before.
Because the river is only paddleable on snowmelt, conditions change week to week. The St. George is known to open before nearby rivers, and in wet years it runs into mid-May.
This run only works on cold spring snowmelt, which means frigid water and the real risk of cold-water shock if you swim. Wear a wetsuit or drysuit, a helmet, and your PFD, and paddle with others. The named ledges are Class II-III and demand intermediate skills. Scout drops you cannot see from upstream, and stay off the river once summer drops the water too low to run cleanly.
Access Points and Put-ins
The Searsmont put-in (about 44.3380, -69.1998) is near the Route 131 bridge, roughly 100 yards west of the post office, with a dirt parking lot nearby. The Appleton take-out is just downstream of the Route 105 bridge. On race day in spring the put-in fills with boaters, so arrive early if you want a parking spot.
Kayaking & canoeing
Getting There
Searsmont is on Route 131 in Waldo County, inland from Camden and Belfast. From Portland, take Route 1 north to Belfast or Camden, then Route 131 inland to Searsmont, about two hours. From Bangor, take Route 3 and Route 131 south to Searsmont, about an hour. The put-in is near the Route 131 bridge in the village, just west of the post office.
To set the take-out shuttle, follow Route 131 south to Appleton and the Route 105 bridge before you launch.
Watch the water level and the calendar. This run is over by early summer, so the best plan is to paddle it right after a spring rain when the snowmelt is still feeding the river. Spotting a car at the Appleton take-out before you put in at Searsmont saves a long road shuttle at the end of a cold run.
When to Visit
Spring
The only real paddling window. Snowmelt fills the river, the rapids come alive, and the annual race runs. Water is cold, so dress for immersion.
Summer
Water drops too low to run the whitewater section cleanly. Not the season for this stretch.
Fall
Generally too low for the race-course run unless heavy rain raises the river briefly.
Winter
Ice-covered and not paddleable.
Spring is the whole season here. The St. George opens before nearby rivers, fills with cold snowmelt, and hosts its season-opening race, usually from April into mid-May in wet years. Once summer arrives, the water drops out of the run.
Packing List
St. George River Spring Run
- Whitewater kayak or canoe
- Helmet for the rapids
- PFD worn at all times
- Wetsuit or drysuit for cold water
- Throw rope and rescue gear
- Dry bag for a change of clothes
- Water shoes or river footwear
- Shuttle vehicle at the Appleton take-out
- Current water-level check before launching
FAQ
When can you paddle the St. George River?
The whitewater run from Searsmont to Appleton works only on spring snowmelt, typically April into mid-May in wet years. The St. George opens before nearby rivers, but by summer the water drops too low to run this section.
How hard is the St. George River run?
It is an intermediate run of about 5.5 miles with several named Class II-III rapids and ledges, including Robbins Mills Rapids, the Rooster Tail, and Magog Rapid, separated by flatwater pools. High spring flows make it pushy.
Is this the same as Lake St. George?
No. This is the flowing St. George River through Searsmont and Appleton. Lake St. George State Park is a separate swimming and camping lake in Liberty. They share a name but are different places.
Where do you put in and take out?
Put in near the Route 131 bridge in Searsmont, about 100 yards west of the post office, and take out just below the Route 105 bridge in Appleton, about 5.5 miles downstream.
Is there a race on this river?
Yes. The St. George River Race runs from Searsmont to Appleton each spring and is, by tradition, the season-opening whitewater river race in Maine, sponsored by the Waldo County YMCA since the 1970s.
