Canoe the Wild testimonials
You can also visit Trip Advisor where you can ask questions of those leaving reviews for Canoe the Wild.
“Our trip provided by Canoe the Wild along the Allagash River in Maine was truly epic. It was a lifetime dream with my brother and father to travel north and experience the beauty of this place. Our guide was top notch, going above and beyond what most would experience. With professionalism, planning and great communication we were provided with a trip and experience that will leave us with lifelong memories to share. Ratings and recommendations are hard to trust but we can speak first hand that what we hoped for in this trip was fully provided by a great company who makes sure you get what you expect. Traveling North? Want to experience the beauty of Maine? Canoe the wild is an excellent choice!” Tim, Orlando, Florida
“Canoeing the Wild was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Dave Conley’s operation is so professional. He has literally thought of everything to give you the best experience on the river possible. I couldn’t imagine canoing the river without Dave as my guide. I’d go back for the food he prepared alone. You better bring your appetite because Dave cuts no corners. Amazing, amazing experience!” Tadd, Burlington, NC
“The whole experience with Canoe The Wild was exceptional. The staff was well prepared, friendly, kind and thoughtful. They allowed our children ages 7 and 9 to fully participate in all the camping activities, keeping all the chores fun and exciting. Their equipment was well maintained and easy to use (canoes, paddles, and tents). The food was delicious and we all felt quite satisfied after all the meals (they were great at having a bunch of fresh fruit available ). We are looking into future trips.” Becky, Brookline, NH
“Canoeing the St. Croix with Canoe The Wild and our guide Tammi and helper Noah completely exceeded my expectations. The river is pristine and has lots of fun, yet very manageable, fast moving water. The surrounding area is remote and beautiful. Our campsites were clean and spacious. Tammi and Noah did a fabulous job flexing their support and guidance according to the skills and engagement of each person in our group. We were two families of four with a wide range of canoeing and outdoors experience. We were on the water for five days and four nights. Regardless of experience level everyone felt at ease the entire time. Canoe The Wild provided us with excellent equipment. Tammi provided fabulous leadership and also happened to cook outstanding meals. (Everyone loved the food and no one ever finished a meal hungry. This was a real feat given the capacity of some of us to pack food away). In fact, the entire trip could not have been easier given the professionalism and thorough planning that Tammi provided. If you are looking for an extraordinarily peaceful, social, somewhat physical and fun way to get off the grid, I would highly recommend hitching up with Canoe The Wild.” Kirk, South Orange, NJ
“We were so very fortunate to have taken a canoe trip on the St Croix River with Dave, Tammi, and Matt of Canoe the Wild, which our family now calls “a trip of a lifetime!” Before going on this trip, we questioned whether this would be good for family members who were not completely in love with the outdoors – now everyone, even the most reluctant, are planning our next trip! We found this trip to be memorable in many ways. Some things that stood out for us were 1) the organization and structure of the trip – everything was very well planned and executed; 2) the quality of the trip – the food, supplies, and gear were top of the line; 3) the guides – they created a feeling of connectedness, bringing together several different families as a community; and 4) the rowing techniques and navigation taught throughout the trip made us feel ready to take on some of the most challenging parts of the river. We might add that Dave takes absolutely beautiful photos and shared the album with us online within one day. He captured our best moments and we have so many amazing memories to frame. Thank you, Canoe of the Wild – we shall return for many more trips!” Jeremy, Brookline, MA
“The staff from Canoe the Wild were all knowledgeable, polite, and fun to be with. My family of four attended and one item of special note is how patient and kind they were with my children (ages 7 & 9) even at sunrise when those little minds were full of questions and excitement. The food was excellent and was locally sourced when possible. The equipment was all in good shape and obviously well cared for. The locations we stopped at were nice and offered the opportunity to swim, fish, or just enjoy the sounds of nature. I already found myself looking ahead to what next’s years schedule had to offer…..” Drew, Brookline, NH
“Fabulous trip down the St. Croix River, with views of both the US and Canadian sides; few other humans and no sounds of any motors; beautiful wildlife, including at least two bald eagles; and great enjoyment and company. Dave, Tammi, and Matt were patient and fun guides.” Max, Brookline, MA
“What a terrific experience to paddle our nation’s waterways. I had a wonder full time with Dave and the crew of Canoe the Wild. Dave and his staff is very knowledgeable. They are gentle teachers and are so very generous with their knowledge of the river, canoe skills, setting up and maintaining a efficient working camp site. They helped everyone feel relaxed and confident. I am ready for another trip!! Thanks Dave, Tammi and Matthew.” Catherine, South Portland, Maine
“Paddling down the St. Croix river was a wonderful experience for our family. Dave’s knowledge and skill was clearly evident and he was well organized, patient and provided encouragement for all. Going “off the grid” for a few days was fabulous.” Eileen, Macungie, PA
“This was our 4th trip with Canoe The Wild, once again we had great guides, delicious food, excellent equipment, and a beautiful river to paddle.
I am sure we will be using Dave and his crew at Canoe The wild in the future.” Jerry, Eddington, Maine
“Dave instructed first time canoeists paddling techniques and how to read the river. Treated to gourmet campfire meals. Top notched camping equipment. Great comradeship formed between fellow adventurers. Would recommend to anyone.” Michael, Reading, PA
“We had a fantastic 5 day trip with Canoe the Wild on the St Croix. Tammi was a fantastic guide and far exceeded my expectation. We really enjoyed her company and our teens all felt very comfortable with her. How nice it was to see them fishing, cutting wood, playing cards, and helping with meals and camp setup while at the campsites while technology free. I was Pleasantly surprised that we had fresh delicious food everyday and for every meal. The scenery of course was beautiful. I’d highly recommend Canoe the Wild.” Laurie. Westfield, NJ
“Our entire family just spent 4 days on the Allagash with Dave Conley and assist, Andrew. Dave made it seem easy and the food he served for 12 of us was quite unbelievable! We had beautiful days canoeing the river and much togetherness at the campsites. This was a Christmas gift to our entire family and the memories made will last a lifetime. Thank you, Dave and Andrew, for all you did to make these 4 days special.” Irene, Warren, Maine
“Amazing experience for my middle-schoolers on the St Croix. Guides were great teachers and connected quickly with the kids. The lessons they learned about paddling, river ecology, wildlife and themselves was something that will stick with them for a long time. Thank you Dave, Tammi, and Matt. We’ll be back!” Tom, Brookline, MA
“This canoe trip was absolutely amazing, being able to relax down a river in Maine is not something you get to do often! The food that was served was delicious and saw breath-taking scenery and so many beautiful animals. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who is adventurous and not afraid to get wet!” Thomas, Fort Mill, South Carolina
“Wow, can’t say enough about Dave! I took 4 high school graduates as a part of a senior trip through our church. I wasn’t entirely sure what we were walking into, especially having never whitewater canoed before, but Dave was an excellent guide making sure we had a basic knowledge of safety and maneuvering and then getting us out onto the water. He had so much wilderness wisdom to share and you could tell he really enjoyed teaching us! He provided a great lunch and dinner and kept us feeling safe and equipped the whole time. Dave handled all of the details from booking, equipment, supplies, and getting our vehicles to the bottom of the river. Dave thinks of it all, you just get to relax and enjoy the ride. If you’re comparing outfitters, I would highly recommend Dave and Canoe the Wild! There’s something to be said for all of his years of experience that others can’t stack up to. Also, there’s a calmness about Dave that makes you feel safe and able to take on every challenge the river throws. Dave is great, can’t wait to book my next trip!” Joshua, Fort Mill, South Carolina
“Dave the food was plentiful land Great! The equipment was in good condition. The company was interesting. The weather kept us very clean. No smelly pits. The hike to the privies kept us all in great shape. The river rapids were Awesome.Thank you Tammy for taking care of my friend. Matt you were a great help. As for the Papparatzy, I don’t think I will ever get use to it wet or dry.” Marjorie, Fayette, Maine
“Our guides down the Allagash Wilderness Waterway were great, knowledgeable and professional. We always felt safe and we were well taken care of. The companionship of the guides and other members of our trip, the food, the excellent equipment provided all made for a first class experience in the wilderness. I recommend this trip for everyone even a beginner camper like me. I am so happy I chose Canoe The Wild. Thank you for providing an experience we will never forget.” David, Readfield, Maine
“Dave is an outstanding professional with a friendly personal manner. He is appropriately safety conscious while providing the means and opportunity for a very comfortable wilderness experience. Dave quickly assessed our group’s individual abilities and gained our confidence and respect. He made apparently effortless decisions to run or line our canoes through challenging rapids, provided excellent safety support, chose the timing and location of camp sites with strategic vision, and was always an enthusiastic knowledgeable river guide. And the food was always healthy, varied, and delicious whether in camp or on the river. I have experienced a number of river guides but for any future trips Dave will be my first choice.” Brian, Weston, MA
“Dave Conley put together a wonderful trip for us to paddle down the Bonaventure river in Quebec Cananda. His guiding is nothing less than professional, his river knowledge exceptional and his cooking skills amazing and very tasty. The views offered up on the river are spectacular, as the photos speak for themselves. The Bonaventure river has some of the most beautiful water I have ever seen and would highly recommend this trip to anyone interested. I was more than satisfied from my experience and look forward to another trip again in the future! 5 Star rating for sure.” Josh, Durham, Maine
“Dave did an outstanding job organizing and leading our canoe trip to the Bonaventure River in the Gaspe Peninsula. He is very safety conscious and led our group successfully down some tricky stretches of rapids. He provided excellent meals, good quality camping gear and at all times provided excellent leadership skills.” Tim, Delafield, WI
“This trip was nothing short of amazing- from the scenery, to the adventure, to the food, to the expert guides. I look forward to doing more trips with this company in the future.” Benson, Northhampden, MA
“Beautiful time in Maine – definitely a bucket list item that can confidently be crossed off. Cool landscapes, wildlife and time on the river. Dave and Tami went above and beyond to make the trip comfortable. Excellent guides, great canoe instructors and above all, good people to spend time with.” Michael, Boston, MA
“Had a wonderful trip with Dave and Tammi down the St Croix river! Excellent guides, they provided all the equipment and supplies and we just had to show up. They expertly instructed us on how to steer the canoes and took us through gradually more challenging waters as we built skills and confidence. Plus we explored a beautiful part of the world in a fun manner! I can’t rate this operation highly enough – they really look after all the details.” Mark, Cambridge, MA
2016 Testimonials
“WOW WOW WOW!!! Fantastic girls trip.. will go back again! Just spent several days in the wonderful care of guides Tammi and Paul, canoeing the St Croix with 12 girlfriends (celebrating my 50th). The route was beautiful and we saw several bald eagles (and a nest!!) a beaver and river otter. Lots of fun little and not so little rapids to keep the days interesting. We had a mix of experience but everyone felt they had learned a ton and accomplished a skill by the end. Tents and sleeping pads were in great condition and THE FOOD!!! What can I say. GOURMET. Blueberry pancakes, Steak and Red Deer, salmon, pineapple, bacon, french toast, and BIRTHDAY cake cooked over a campfire!! Tammi and Paul were so helpful and fun and kind and competent… cant say enough good things about them and their positive impact on our group. The trip exceeded all our expectations and we all want to go back! I also want to bring my kiddos and a couple other families back for a similar adventure. OUTSTANDING” Martha Ivester, TN
“Trip of a lifetime!!!!! Took my 2 boys on the Allagash River with Dave. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. His experience on the river and his knowledge of canoeing made this trip one of the best experiences I ever had. Dave taught my kids and I all about the river, it’s wildlife and it’s history. We fished, saw Eagles and Moose and enjoyed the beautiful Maine wilderness. Dave’s focus during our time on the river, was making sure that we were comfortable and especially making sure my kids were enjoying there time on the river. Bring your camera and get ready to take lots of pictures. Thanks to Dave, I have great memories with my boys, that we will be talking about for a long time. I highly recommend Dave if you want to enjoy the beautiful Maine wilderness”. Cameron B, NY
“Wilderness experience in Northern Maine East Branch of the Penobscot River, Coming from Belgium, one of the world’s most densely populated countries, I wanted to show my teenage kids what Maine’s remote wilderness is and “feels” like. Searching the internet, I came across Canoe The Wild and sent Dave a mail explaining what we were looking for. Namely: vast nature, wildlife, quietness, solitude, physical activities like fly fishing, some white water, portages etc, From the first email-contact to the moment we said goodbye after our river trip , Dave was a true professional. He understood from the start and delivered 100% what we were looking for. During our river trip, he was very flexible and accommodating.. We asked him what we could do to maximize our chances to see moose. So the next morning, we stood up at 4 AM and by 4.30 AM we were on the river! His 27-years of wilderness experience, professionalism and quality of material and food are hard to top. Really glad we booked him for our wilderness trip as it was somewhat a risk from my end not knowing with who and what we were getting ourselves into. Highly recommended!” Geert Norga, Belgium
“White Water With The Guys Couldn’t have asked for a better trip with the guys. Dave was extremely professional, but was able to put us in some great water that matched our skill level. The food was amazing and I’m already looking forward to the next trip”. Alex Krughoff, VA “A reunion of members from the class of 1964 at Amherst College plus family and friends on the Bonaventure and Cascapedia. At age 74 this trip was on my bucket list. It met all my expectations for beauty, excitement and chance for reconnecting with friends. Dave Conley provided expert advice, teaching, excellent food and supplies as well as sharing Maine stories. I would recommend it for anyone”. Mason Appleton, MA
2015 Canoe the Wild Testimonials
“Outstanding. My wife, 10 year old son and myself were looking to fill a few days before a series of backpacking adventures in eastern Canada and we hit the jackpot. Every aspect was great including the food, the adventure and the companionship. Dave has a great demeaner (we were not experienced canoers) and he brought along (with our permission) a young man from the local high school who teamed up with my son to travel the 20+ mile run down the St. Croix. Thank you Dave. Can’t wait to do the Allagash next time around.”Howard Allen, Coca Beach, Florida
“Excellent instruction, knowledgeable, methodical thought process- everything you could want in a guide. We spent a day on the West Branch of the Penobscot River with Dave. He relates well with all ability levels and his competence and style allowed our group members to challenge themselves and experience the gift of real accomplishment in the “wild.” This is becoming rare in today’s “cyber” world. Taking teens outdoors is where real growth happens and Dave did an amazing job from all perspectives”. Ken Jones, North Haven High School, Maine
“If you enjoy camping and canoeing along the rivers in the North Woods of Maine be sure to contact Dave Conley at Canoe the Wild to book your trip. You will have an exciting time. His experience and professionalism are second to none”. Joe Sukovich, NJ
“Great time with family, Dave tips and instructions of canoeing were great. We were able to do some rapids and had a great time. The food was excellent. Thanks Dave and Phil for some great memories with family and friends”. Roland Foss, Bangor Maine
“This trip was a blast. Canoeing down the St. Croix river was beautiful and exhilarating. The rapids were fun, the food was delicious, couldn’t have asked for a better trip. Thanks Dave!”Jake Kaplan, NH
“Dave was a consummate professional. He was an expert on and off the water, meticulous with coordinating every detail, and provided us with the highest quality of service, food, amenities, and more. Dave’s positivity and encouragement were also greatly appreciated. Dave’s assistant, Phil, was wonderful as well. He was very skillful, helpful, and easy going. Both Dave and Phil made made our trip great fun for all!”Jeff Feldman, PA
“Dave Conley is a fantastic guide. He shared his vast knowledge of the outdoors, created an upbeat environment, and his meals are fantastic. He was very knowledgeable about our destination and what we might see there. I look forward to my next trip with Dave!” Bob Latshaw, MA
“Amazing canoe trip with a wonderful group of people! The trip was the perfect adventure and getaway from modern life. We paddled, we swam, we ate, we observed wildlife everyday. I feel so rested and rejuvenated from this trip. Thanks to our incredible guides for making everything perfect. I’m planning to sign up again next summer!”Betta Stothert, Falmouth, ME
“My father-in-law, 13 year old son and myself went on a trip of a lifetime. I am sure we will be back and you can’t put a price on memories that you can share with your family. Dave Conley is a first class individual and Maine Guide. The food was amazing from Maine Blueberry Pancakes to Ribeye Steaks over the open fire. We learned many outdoor skills and canoe paddling commands. For me it was a great time to unplug and disconnect from the busyness of the world and enjoy God’s marvelous creation!” Doug Reed, Hermon, ME
“It was so good to get back to paddling in the wild woods. All aspects of the trip were just fab, especially the female moose who displayed her dining skills, for a couple of hours, in the middle of the river. Do hope to join you Dave on another canoe trip, in the near future.”Sharon Little, Quebec City, Canada
“Absolutely the best canoe trek I’ve ever been on. Everything about the trip was brilliantly planned and prepared and you couldn’t ask for a better guide than Dave Conley. He prepared great food, told great stories, and is incredibly knowledgeable about the whole area and the wilderness in general, he’s just an all around great guy. I can’t recommend the trip enough and would absolutely book again.” John Sukovich, Ann Arbor, MI
2014 Canoe Trip Testimonials
“Dave, Thanks again for a fabulous trip. Every member of our party thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Your preparation and your execution in the field were impeccable in every respect. Everything met or exceeded our expectations. We are already talking about our next trip, hopefully the St. Croix with you next summer”. John Aromando, Maine
“We are still basking in our Allagash bliss!! Thanks for a fantastic trip – it was just awesome in every way! The boys were nonstop about it in the car ride home… well, for about two hours and then they crashed. We got home very tired, very smelly and very happy. Carolyn Cote, NH
“Just wanted to thank you again for a great time! I have talked to my wife, son and his wife and will be in touch to schedule a trip for the 4 of us”. David Van Patten, NH
“Thank you! What an absolutely fantastic trip. Pictures are terrific. I’d like to talk with you about a trip for somewhere between 5-11 of our college classmates”. Jim Murray, FL
“Dave, It has been over a month since our trip up the Allagash, and I still and will have a mental “high” from our trip, you were the perfect host. The people we traveled with were great trip companions and added to the trip. Ashley and Phil were great. Thank you so much for such a great, wonderful guidance up the Allagash. I think some of my final thoughts on this earth will be of the Allagash trip and you made it possible! Once more, thanks and God Bless.” Margaret Wilhelm, CA”
“All boys (and their parents) should be lucky enough to have an experience such as this. The boys grew an inch or two learning to canoe the St. Croix’s rapids. The scenery and wildlife was fantastic. Maine, and its wilds, is lucky to have ambassadors like Dave and Philip. We hope to be back soon.” Michael Bell, Manhattan, NY
“This was the most wonderful experience. We all had a great time. It could not have been better. Thank You so much. Your crew could not have been better.” Alexis Beach, San Francisco
“Besides being exceptionally competent and helpful, our guides were genuinely nice people whose good nature, positive attitude, and enthusiasm for the outdoors was infectious. These character traits helped several of us “city slickers” and part-time outdoorspeople face with the minor discomforts we encountered with good cheer, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.” Denise Beneteau, Switzerland
“Hi Dave, We had a great time, you and Phil ran a great trip, we all definitely learned a lot about canoeing! You run a well oiled and very professional operation, and give us as leaders a great example to aspire to. I would love to do the Bonaventure River at some point! Thanks again for a great trip!” Eric Lim, Holliston, MA
“Tammy is an excellent guide who struck a balance between carefully watching out for us and encouraging us to test our limits. She always found something positive to say about even our smallest achievements and even the way we handled our mistakes during the many “learning moments” we experienced on the river. But I was even more impressed to be around 3 high school age kids who displayed the same positive outlook, work ethic, and teamwork as their teacher/leader. I’m sure that they were always great kids but I also suspect that the outdoor ed program you & Tammi run at their High School has played a major role in helping them become the mature, conscientious, self-confident and positively-oriented people we met on our trip. So thanks to you ad Tammi for helping us have a great vacation but, even more importantly, thanks for what you’ve done for Mitchel, Chelsea, Kim, and the other young adults whose lives you touch”.Lee Goldburg, NJ
2013 and Earlier Testimonials
“We had such a positive experience with Dave two years ago on the St. Croix River, that we hired him again to take us down the Allagash in August of 2013. Like the first experience, the second exceeded our expectations in every way. Although my family has spent the last 40 years canoeing Maine’s rivers without a Guide, Dave and Tammi take the experience (including fun, relaxation, and pure enjoyment) to another level. They taught my son (age 13), my father (age 75), a family friend (age 13) and me (age 44) new things about reading the river, perfecting our canoe strokes, cooking over the open fire, and setting up and taking down the campsite. Dave shared his knowledge of the river and its history as we paddled, and kept us entertained every night with stories about being a Maine guide, moose hunting and his many adventures over the years in Maine, Canada and out west. The food was first rate, cooked over the open fire from wood that we had harvested along the river (no propane stoves for Dave). At night, there was a lot of laughing mixed in with just the right amount of silence and sounds of the loons. It’s difficult to imagine a more perfect way to end the day. We were fortunate to see several moose, paddling close to them on several occasions, many bald eagles, which seemed to follow us down the river, a deer and lots of ducks. One of the many added benefits of hiring Dave is that he takes incredible photographs of the wildlife, the scene around the campsite, and your friends and family. To have all of this captured on a high-quality camera by someone who knows what he is doing, is an added bonus and a great way to capture the highlights of the trip. Dave uses the perfect combination of encouragement, humor, good natured ribbing, patience, and a true desire to spread his enthusiasm for back country canoeing and camping to bring the best out in everyone. We all had a great time. We are looking forward to more trips with Dave and recommend him without hesitation. You won’t be disappointed.” Noah Wuesthoff, Falmouth Maine
“Our experience on the Allagash was the most well thought out and well executed trip we could have ever imagined. Dave brought along Mitchell, a strong, college sophomore who came up from the ranks of his outdoor school program. Mitchell lugged boats and equipment and was a constant source for firewood at each site we camped at. While on the Allagash we saw a lot of wildlife but no other canoe parties. We thought we knew how to paddle a canoe but Dave gave us on the spot paddle tips to navigate a river where he seemed to know every rock and hard place. There was never a need to worry. In an area this remote, Dave had things covered with satellite technology right in his pocket. Canoe the Wild’s equipment is first class with Old Town canoes, tarps to keep out the rain, tents that go up in a jiffy and even cots to put our Thermarest mattresses on. It seemed that Dave only put his camera down long enough to pick up a spatula to prepare unforgettable meals over an open fire; t-bone steaks, chicken and dumplings, chocolate cake and strawberry shortcake for desserts and full course breakfasts with real cowboy coffee each morning. A few weeks after we got home, a DVD arrived with professionally done pictures full of memories. See for yourself!” Jack Thompson
“When planning our trip, what I expected from Dave, was to get my three sons and me safely down the Allagash and to show us this beautiful river. What made the trip great were all the things Dave provided that I did not expect. I never expected the food to be so good or that he would be so great and patient with my kids. I also didn’t expect that Dave would be our own private trip photographer. Thanks to him, we have hundreds of memorable photographs that really captured this wonderful experience. I wouldn’t think twice about planning another canoe trip with Dave! Marc B. Gamble
“Dave Conley understands the importance of engaging Maine’s youth in the outdoors! Our Teens To Trails organization is so pleased to be associated with Dave and his work to connect young people to the natural world – a connection that is critical to both their physical and mental well being. He has made a very real and lasting difference in the lives of so many young people through his passion for the outdoors, his energy and his caring. What a wonderful mentor Dave is for Maine’s youth!” Carol Leone, Founder,Teens To Trails
“The DePas River was a fantastic wilderness trip made even better by Dave’s excellent guiding skills. The details of the trip were well thought through by Dave and there was never a “glitch” to foul up the trip. It’s clear that Dave put a lot of thought and planning into every detail of the trip. The great things about Dave’s trips are that the rivers he selects are not the “old standards” but are rivers not often paddled by others which really makes the wilderness experience even better” Greg Millert, Brunswick, Maine