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Writing and Renewal in Maine's North Woods
Millinocket, Maine
6 Days
From $3795
Writing, Hiking, Paddling
Writing and Renewal in Maine's North Woods
Millinocket, Maine
6 Days
From $3795
Writing, Hiking, Paddling
Trip Overview
Maine Writing Retreat — Words, Wilderness, and Water
Escape to a lakeside haven in the heart of Maine’s north woods—an iconic landscape of deep solitude, sparkling lakes, and abundant wildlife. This retreat is designed to spark your creativity through immersion in the natural world, movement, and guided writing.
Each day, we’ll balance time outdoors—hiking, kayaking, or rafting—with writing workshops led by AGC guide and professional outdoor writer, Sarah Holman. Whether you’re just starting out or already having a writing practice, you’ll find inspiration, skill-building, and encouragement to craft stories you’re proud of.
At night, we return to our cozy, sustainably built lodges nestled along Millinocket Lake. We’ll end our time together by sharing our work and celebrating in community. All writing genres and experience levels are welcome!
Maximum group size: 12
Highlights
- Be inspired by the solitude and beauty of Maine’s north woods as you hone your skills and find your voice as a writer
- Paddle pristine waters to a destination picnic on a sandy beach accessible only by boat
- Pick blueberries for your breakfast on the picturesque Blueberry Ledges Trail
- Raft the mighty Penobscot in the shadow of Katahdin
- Take a pontoon sunset wildlife cruise to look for moose and stargaze under the darkest skies east of the Mississippi
Inclusions
- 1 - 2 experienced AGC guides, one of whom is a professional writer
- All activities on the itinerary, including the kayaking, rafting, and dinners at local restaurants
- All meals from dinner on the first day through breakfast on the last
- Five nights lodging in shared or single rooms
- Transportation during the trip including round trip transfer from the Bangor, ME airport
Not Included: Travel to and from Bangor ME, alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities and Travel Insurance.
Trip Info
This trip is for women who want to write together in community, guided by a professional, while being inspired and engaged by the natural world. While our days will be full of activities including hiking, paddling, and rafting, we will not be attempting long mileage on any of our excursions. We will also make sure that you have ample downtime to relax, cultivate an awareness of the natural world, and write. Since you always have the option to relax at the house, a 1 rating is appropriate. However, if you choose to do everything we offer, it will be more like a 2. The hikes we've chosen are reasonably short but may have short steep sections with rocks and roots, so women should be in sufficient condition to hike uphill for up to an hour. The kayaking and rafting is appropriate for beginners. A rating of 2 is suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes.
Rating: 1 [2] 3 4 5
Curious about how we rate our trips and how to prepare for yours? Explore our AGC Fitness Guide for more details.
Our primary activity this week is writing, but our itinerary also includes hiking, kayaking and rafting. We will have time to explore Millinocket Lake and a few classic North Woods trails, and will spend half a day whitewater rafting. This trip will often have a leisurely pace with writing time interwoven into activities. We will be hiking, rafting or paddling between 3-5 hours a day.
Wondering what kind of gear works well for our trips? Our AGC Gear Guide highlights some of our go-to favorites.
All participants are guaranteed their own bed. We'll spend the entire trip at the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC), about an hour north of Bangor, where we’ll enjoy stunning views of Katahdin. We will stay in three neighboring, green-built modern lodges on the shore of Millinocket Lake. Each lodge features a full kitchen, a living room with a gas fireplace, a sunroom, and an outdoor patio. Standard-priced spots on the trip are for a shared room with a queen or twin bed, along with shared bathrooms, common areas, and kitchens. There are four single supplements available for an additional cost, which include a private queen room with a shared bathroom. These can be slected during booking if available.
See the FAQs below for more details about accommodation options.
Ready to picture yourself on this adventure?
Download the detailed trip summary for a closer look — daily highlights, travel notes, and everything you need to know before you go. It’s the perfect way to dream, plan, and share with a friend!
Itinerary
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
DAY 1
If you are flying in, we will meet at the Bangor airport at 4PM and drive 1 hour to Millinocket, where our home for the week awaits at the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) If you’re driving, you can head straight to our lodging and meet us there at 5:30 PM. Once everyone’s settled in, we’ll kick off our adventure with a delicious welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: NEOC (or similar)
Daily Activities: Welcome Dinner
Included Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: NEOC (or similar)
Daily Activities: Welcome Dinner
DAY 2
Today we launch into our week of writing together. Most writing sessions will include creative warm-ups, craft tips, writing time to deepen our creative flow, and an opportunity to share excerpts of your work with the group. August is the month for wild blueberry picking in Maine, and we will fittingly begin our trip with a hike to Blueberry Ledges in Baxter State Park. This four mile out-and-back hike ascends gradually through a lovely birch forest and leads to a beautiful writing spot where Katahdin Stream flows gently over smooth rock ledges. Before hiking back we’ll hope to fill our pockets and packs with wild blueberries - a classic Maine experience! Upon returning to NEOC, we’ll have some downtime (perhaps a dip in the lake?), before departing on a sunset wildlife tour. The north woods are known for their moose, and we’ll try to spot one before our first full day is through.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: NEOC (or similar)
Daily Activities: Writing, Hiking (~4 miles)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: NEOC (or similar)
Daily Activities: Writing, Hiking (~4 miles)
DAY 3
If our previous day was “fruitful”, we’ll start our morning with a delicious trail-to-table blueberry pancake breakfast. After a leisurely morning, we will pack lunches and head to the lake for a kayak session. Millinocket Lake is a paddler’s dream with its clear waters, undeveloped shoreline, and sweeping views of Katahdin. We’ll learn paddling skills while exploring the lake’s many islands and coves, and aim for the sandy beaches of the far shore (only accessible by boat), for a picnic on the shore. Writing will be woven into each day's schedule, with exact timing contingent upon weather and group needs. Millinocket is located close to a certified dark-sky sanctuary, and is a wonderful setting in which to stargaze and at times see the Northern Lights. After dinner we will head out on an optional night walk to look at the stars and bask in the milky way.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: NEOC (or similar)
Daily Activities: Kayaking, Writing, Optional Night Walk
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: NEOC (or similar)
Daily Activities: Kayaking, Writing, Optional Night Walk
DAY 4
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll head out to get our hearts racing (in a good way!) with a half-day whitewater rafting trip on the lower Penobscot river with New England Outdoor Center guides. Though exciting, our trip is designed for first-time rafters. As we work together to navigate the rapids we’ll catch stunning glimpses of Katahdin, and if we’re lucky, spot local wildlife such as eagles and moose. We’ll be treated to a delicious hot lunch on the river before returning to our home base for an afternoon of reflection and writing. After dinner the camaraderie will continue around a crackling campfire.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: NEOC (or similar)
Daily Activities: Whitewater Rafting, Writing
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: NEOC (or similar)
Daily Activities: Whitewater Rafting, Writing
DAY 5
Our final hike will take place in The Nature Conservancy’s Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area. Debsconeag means "carrying place," and is named for the historic portage sites where native peoples carried their canoes around rapids and waterfalls. We will venture out on the Ice Caves Trail, a short but moderate hike through moss covered boulders and fern-filled forests. We’ll appreciate a blast of cool air from the ice caves and continue on to a beautiful vista of Debsconeag lake.
Back at NEOC, we’ll have time to put the finishing touches on our writing pieces before heading out for an early farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, we’ll gather one last time to celebrate our journey with a special reading of our work—a perfect way to close out an unforgettable adventure!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: NEOC (or similar)
Daily Activities: Writing, Hiking (~2.5 miles)
Back at NEOC, we’ll have time to put the finishing touches on our writing pieces before heading out for an early farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, we’ll gather one last time to celebrate our journey with a special reading of our work—a perfect way to close out an unforgettable adventure!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: NEOC (or similar)
Daily Activities: Writing, Hiking (~2.5 miles)
DAY 6
Our week of renewal and creativity in the Great North Woods has come to a close, but the memories and inspiration will stay with us! If you're driving, you’re free to head out any time after breakfast. For those flying, we'll get you back to Bangor in time for flights departing after 12 PM.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Meals: Breakfast
Reviews
5
(8 reviews)
5
(8)
4
(0)
3
(0)
2
(0)
1
(0)
*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
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Low-High
Carla H.
2 years ago
Activities I loved, but time and encouragement to focus on writing
Marti S.
2 years ago
The opportunity to write and learn from others. The opportunity to try Level 4 rafting rapids (without that being the focus of the trip). The community dining. Really felt you got to know everyone by the end of the trip. The location, accommodations, and variety of activities was just right.
Eve V.
2 years ago
Renewal was the correct term to use! This trip allowed me to get to know the guides and participants in a way that was extremely meaningful. Jenny and Claire together is a wonderful combination. Jenny as a writing coach - unbelievable!! Claire as a cook - superb! Their chemistry and love for each other showed. It was a beautiful week.
Alicia L.
2 years ago
The group of women and guides co-created a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment. This enabled intimate sharing and connections.
Carole M.
2 years ago
Our wonderful guides, who each day each brought something of joyful quality to our trip. Claire with her Haute Cuisine (even for breakfast) and quiet insight; and Jenny with her abundance of life and energy, her kindness and patience.
Maryjane L.
2 years ago
It was an amazing location with a great balance of moderate activity. I was fully prepared to ignore the writing, but surprisingly enjoyed that.
Juluia L.
2 years ago
Charlene F.
2 years ago
This was an excellent trip, the perfect combination of physical activities and writing, in a beautiful setting. Jenny and Claire worked together seamlessly. Best combination of guides I have experienced on an AGC trip.
Dates & Prices
| Year | Departure Date | Availability | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2026 |
August 02 to August 07 |
Available |
$3795.00 |
|
|
2027 |
July 31 to August 05 |
Available |
$3995.00 |
Year
2026
Departure Date
August 02 to August 07, 2026
Availability
Available
Price
$3795.00
Make It Your Adventure
Turn any trip into a private experience for your group, or let us design a custom itinerary just for you! Whether it’s friends, family, or colleagues, we’ll make your journey unforgettable.
Common Questions
All participants are guaranteed their own bed on our trips.
A Single Supplement (SS) means you will have your own room with your own bed, and no other participants will share that room with you. Single supplements are limited, offered at an additional cost, and will appear as a booking option at the time of registration if still available.
A Double Accommodation means you will share a room with another participant. You will still have your own bed. Shared beds can be requested but cannot always be accommodated depending upon the property.
Bathrooms: Bathroom arrangements vary depending on the trip and lodging. A single supplement guarantees your own sleeping space but may still include a shared bathroom. Double accommodations typically share a bathroom with a roommate and sometimes additional participants, depending on the property. Private or ensuite bathrooms will be noted in the trip details when available.
Absolutely! If you are already a writer, love to write, or are intrigued to try something new, this trip will cater to all levels with a supportive group and inspiring environment.
This is the perfect trip for new kayakers. There will be instruction on safety and basic kayaking strokes. The guides are experienced kayak instructors and will teach you everything you need to know.
The guides will be cooking breakfasts and most dinners in our shared lodges. Before you leave in the morning the guides will put out lunch 'fixings' and you will take a packed lunch. You will also have two dinners in local restaurants.
We can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-intolerant if we know well in advance. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free diet and we cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you’re severely allergic or if you have other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register. If you’re vegan, you may want to bring some additional protein bars.
No. If you prefer to share a room and the option is still available, please choose it when you register. Unless a specific roommate is requested, rooms assignments are done by lottery.
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