In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · United States
The Forks
Visit The Forks only with a car for a day trip or overnight if you want river activities; otherwise skip for a typical Maine itinerary.
The Forks is a tiny plantation of about 35 people where the Kennebec and Dead Rivers meet. It offers river‑based recreation and nearby falls, but services are minimal and distances to other towns are long, so a car is essential.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for water sports, Oct–Nov for foliage
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (snow, limited services)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $30–$50 excl. accommodation · Mid $60–$100 excl. accommodation (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at local diner | $2–$3 |
| Grocery (milk, bread) | $5–$10 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PWM · Portland International Jetport
- about 80 mi (≈1 h 30 min) drive north via US‑201
Typical fares
- Car rental (compact, 1 day)
- about $55, includes basic insurance (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is required; roads include US‑201 and unpaved local routes. Walking is possible in the tiny center.
See and do
Known for
- Kennebec‑Dead River confluence
- Moxie Falls
- White‑water rafting (Crap Apple)
- Harris Dam
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Moxie Falls | Drive 1.5 mi north on Lake Moxie Rd from The Forks center | ≈20 min drive + 20 min hike |
| Harris Dam | Drive 13.7 mi northwest via US‑201 N and Lake Moxie Rd | ≈35 min drive |
| Augusta, Maine | Drive south on US‑201 to junction with US‑202; about 45 mi | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Local cabins or B&Bs
- Few options; book ahead; consider nearby Skowhegan or Bingham for more choices.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pardonpardon |
| Thank you | Mercimerci |
| How much is it? | Combien ça coûte?combien ça coûte? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Unpaved roads can damage low‑clearance vehicles; four‑wheel drive recommended (check).
- Moxie Falls trail is steep and can be dangerous in wet conditions; use caution.
Low crime but remote; carry emergency supplies, check road conditions in winter.
One and two days
No timed day plan for The Forks yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kennebec‑Dead River confluence
- Moxie Falls
- White‑water rafting (Crap Apple)
- Harris Dam
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – The Forks (Q... placeholder): www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q
- Wikivoyage: The Forks, revision 5291196 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5291196
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
The Forks
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaît
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
US consulates are in Portland and Boston; check for local assistance.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/the-forks). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.