Discover the 10 Longest Rivers Flowing Through Maine

There are few places I’d rather be than out on the water.

I grew up sailing on Sebago Lake and spent summers at camp along the shore near Spring Point. If a friend had a pool, chances are I was in it from sunrise to sunset. And for the last 15-plus years, I’ve been trying to convince my wife that we should move onto a boat in the Caribbean. One of these days, I’m going to win that argument.

Considering my love for all things water, it should come as no surprise that I’m also fascinated by Maine’s incredible river system. I find these natural beauties so captivating that I wanted to take a closer look at some of the state’s most unique and well-known waterways.

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How Dynamic is Maine's Vast River System?

The state is covered with rivers flowing every which way, originating here in Maine, New Hampshire, and even Canada. According to Maine, An Encyclopedia, the state has 73 rivers that are longer than 20 miles. That's quite a number, considering the size of the state.

According to worldatlas.com, Maine also has one of the largest river systems in the United States. In fact, the 10 largest Maine rivers are all 75 miles or longer.

Of course, this means there are thousands of miles of rivers ready for fishing, canoeing, floating, swimming, rafting, and exploring from Kittery to Madawaska and everywhere in between.

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What are the Longest Rivers in Maine?

With these impressive stats, I thought it would be fun to take a look at the longest rivers in Maine, where they are located, and how popular they are. Many are well-known waterways, while one or two may surprise you.

Quick note: You’ll notice the Penobscot River is split up by its branches. This was done because most references list them separately.