What's Included?

We are excited to have you join us for community, education, safety, fun and laughs! Please note that only those with a RoundUp ticket will be admitted into the campground. This event is limited to 40 tickets, so register early to get a spot!

Three nights of camping and community

One group dinner hosted by APA (night TBD)

Opportunity to meet/greet with APA board members and other packrafting peeps to expand your packrafting community

Access to evening programming and community activities, including a screening of the 2026 Packraft Film Festival

Morning safety discussions — river selection, group self-assessment, recommended group size

Win raffle prizes and take home new gear! Huge shout-out to our amazing sponsors and donors that make the APA wheels turn.

buy tickets

There is a non-refundable processing fee of $50 for all refunds requested after purchase is complete. A full refund less the $50 fee is available up to 14 days prior to the event. No refunds within 14 days of the event. You may transfer your registration to another participant with 48 hours notice.

Schedule

What to expect at Packraft RoundUp Maine. The schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Friday, September 4

Arrival & Welcome

12:00 PM

Volunteer Arrival / Event Setup

3:00–8:00 PM

Paddler Check-In & Registration

Check-in, collect your goodie bag & get oriented for the weekend. Featuring our Clean, Drain, Dry station (sponsored by Buddy Boy) to help protect our waterways before you paddle. Stop by with questions, check out local river beta, and connect with paddling partners

3:00–8:00 PM

Merchandise + Registration Table Open

Stop by to check out the latest APA merch and purchase raffle tickets for the big gear giveaway on Sunday night

The raffle features gear from many of our sponsors; Kokopelli, Buddy Boy, Ibex, Hyperlite, Aquabound, Darn Tough, Bru Tek, and Good To-Go

7:00 PM

Welcome Social Hour

Board and Staff Meet & Greet.

Skills Scavenger Hunt & Community Mixer. Meet other attendees, connect with paddlers interested in similar skills and goals, and start finding paddle partners for the weekend.

8 PM onward

Social Time

Saturday, September 5

Paddling & Optional Guided Outings

8:00–8:30 AM

Morning Safety Circle

Start the day with a safety briefing and find paddling partners. All participants are strongly encouraged to attend.

9:00 AM

Optional Guided Outing with Packraft Maine

Separate registration required through Packraft Maine.

Daytime

Self-Organized Paddling

Meet up with fellow paddlers and create your own adventure for the day. Choose objectives that match your group's experience, communicate clearly, and always paddle within your limits.

4:00 - 8:00 PM

Paddler Check-In

4:00–8:00 PM

Merchandise + Registration Table Open

Stop by to check out the latest APA merch and purchase raffle tickets for the big gear giveaway on Sunday night

The raffle features gear from many of our sponsors; Kokopelli, Buddy Boy, Ibex, Hyperlite, Aquabound, Darn Tough, Bru Tek, and Good To-Go

6:30–7:30 PM

Packraft Olympics

Gather your team and compete in a series of 5 different packrafting themed games for prize packages from our sponsors. Costumes and silliness are strongly encouraged

8:00 PM

International Packraft Film Festival Screening

A special APA screening of this year’s Film Festival

Sunday, September 6

8:00–8:30 AM

Morning Safety Circle

Start the day with a safety briefing and find paddling partners. All participants are strongly encouraged to attend.

9:00 AM

Optional Guided Outing with Packraft Maine

Separate registration required through Packraft Maine.

Daytime

Self-Organized Paddling

Meet up with fellow paddlers and create your own adventure for the day. Choose objectives that match your group's experience, communicate clearly, and always paddle within your limits.

4:00–6:30 PM

Merchandise + Registration Table Open

Stop by to check out the latest APA merch and purchase your last minute raffle tickets for the big gear giveaway

The raffle features gear from many of our sponsors; Kokopelli, Buddy Boy, Ibex, Hyperlite, Aquabound, Darn Tough, Bru Tek, and Good To-Go

5:30–6:30 PM

Group Dinner - provided by APA

Bring your camp plate and cutlery to the basecamp area for a group meal. Join the APA staff and board members as they cook a BBQ dinner for all attendees

6:30 PM

RoundUp Raffle

Featuring prizes from our sponsors, including a Nirvana Spray Deck packraft from Kokopelli

Monday, September 7

Breakfast & Departure

8:00 - 8:30 AM

Morning Safety Circle

Start the day with a safety briefing and find paddling partners. All participants are strongly encouraged to attend.

9:00 AM

Optional Guided Outing with Packraft Maine

Separate registration required through Packraft Maine.

10:00 AM

Camp Clean-Up & Departure

11:00 AM

Checkout time for Big Eddy Campground

Daytime

One Last Paddle

Enjoy one final self-organized paddle before heading home.

On-Water Activity Disclaimer

On-water activities during the Packraft RoundUp are officially sanctioned and provided only through Cascade Raft & Kayak (CRK) and Swiftwater Safety Institute (SSI), professional outfitters with certified guides and appropriate insurance. These activities include scheduled instructional workshops offered in partnership with the American Packrafting Association (APA). Any and all other paddling or water-based activities undertaken outside of the outfitter-led workshops are considered informal and are done solely at the discretion of the individual. These activities are not part of the official APA RoundUp programming and are independent of the APA. All participants are solely responsible for their own safety, decision-making, and risk management on the water. This includes—without limitation—evaluating river conditions, assessing personal skills, using proper safety gear, and choosing appropriate companions. The APA does not endorse or authorize any individual to guide, instruct, or lead others on the water outside of sanctioned offerings, and assumes no liability for such actions. By participating in any paddling activity during the RoundUp—whether organized or informal—you acknowledge and accept full responsibility for your safety and choices.

FAQs

Before you email us, please take a peek at the frequently asked questions below.

Are volunteer-led outings and group paddles offered?

Sanctioned Roundup paddling is only offered through licensed instructors and clinics managed by Cascade Raft & Kayak and Swiftwater Safety Institute as noted on the schedule of events. APA does not offer any other guided paddling.

This event originated and remains a platform for packrafters to come together and expand their packrafting community. We are committed to facilitating connections among packrafters through our nightly evening activities, fostering opportunities for participants to meet and organize paddling groups.

⚠ Professional on-the-water paddling instruction and learning is not offered by any other APA attendees, staff or board of directors.

I'm new to packrafting and don't own any gear. Can I join RoundUp and try this packrafting thing out?

Our friends at Utah Whitewater Gear in Salt Lake City and Idaho River Sports in Boise rent packrafts that you can snag on your way to the event. Backcountry Packraft Rentals will ship you a packraft to use at the event (please thoroughly clean this before and after use to prevent spread of aquatic invasive species).

⚠ If you are looking for professional instruction, we recommend you register for one of the courses led by Packraft Maine.

Is the Roundup the right place to work on my packrafting skills?

The APA Roundup has a rich history of fostering inclusivity for novice packrafters. However, it's important to understand your own abilities before attempting more challenging rivers. When you step up your game in a friendly setting versus instructional setting, you are putting yourself and others at risk. The APA Education & Safety Committee is committed to providing resources on self-assessment and risk management, both for the Roundup and beyond. Empowering packrafters to make informed decisions helps us all paddle safer and smarter. Thank you for paddling within your limits and pursuing skill enhancement in the proper environment with qualified instructors.

⚠ If you are looking for professional instruction, we recommend you register for one of the courses led by Packraft Maine.

Can I bring my dog?

Pets are welcome and must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets may not be left unattended in the campground. Please pick up after them.

Can I volunteer to offset the cost of my ticket?

We love volunteers and appreciate your generous energy and time! All volunteers must purchase a ticket, which will be reimbursed after the event. This ensures everyone follows through—past free tickets were sometimes taken advantage of. Volunteers assist with duties like guest check-in, raffle sales, HQ tasks, trash pickup, parking, or workshop setup.

☑ Are you a shutterfly or amateur photographer? We are looking for professional event photographers to help capture RoundUp and would love to chat with you! If you’re interested, please reach out to us at roundup@packraft.org.

Camping guidelines for all RoundUp participants:

↠ Only registered Roundup attendees are allowed to camp and attend RoundUp activities. Thank you for understanding as we are a nonprofit and this is a community, educational and fundraising event.
↠ Camping is permitted in the designated group sites. APA is required to provide the campground with camping assignments ahead of time. If you would like to request to camp with someone, please let us know.
↠ No trailers allowed.
↠ Please clean up after yourself, do not leave food or food containers attended or out overnight.
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NOTE: There are showers for a fee, WiFi for a donation, and limited cell service at the campground.

What should I bring (and not bring) to RoundUp?

We'll be sharing a group campsite so thank you in advance for being conscientious. Campsite details can be found at this link HERE. There is little to no cell reception at the campsite so please plan accordingly.
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BRING FOR CAMPING:
↠ CAMPING: Car-camping gear (please be aware of early and late hours for slamming car doors, talking and late-night chill sessions). Please bring all supplies needed for self-sufficient car camping including cleaning stations, water bins, proper food/gear storage, and cook items.
↠ MEALS: One group dinner is provided by APA. You're on your own for other meals.
↠ KITCHEN: Bring your own plates, utensils, cups and mugs for APA meals.
↠ PROGRAMMING: Bring a camp chair and/or blanket for evening workshops and speakers.
↠CASH: You'll need this for showers, using the WiFi and will be accepted as paymnet for raffle tickets.

AVOID:
▪ Please do not bring one-use plastics such as disposable water bottles, plastic silverware or non-recyclable products. Recycling will be hauled away after the event.
▪ Please do not bring glass containers.
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BRING FOR PADDLING:
↠ US Coast Guard approved PFD (type III or V is best)
↠ Whitewater-specific helmet
↠ Exposure/thermal protection (drysuits are encouraged, also wetsuit, dry top, etc)
↠ Self-bailing or whitewater decked packraft
↠ Throw bag
↠ Spare paddle
↠ Dry bags and clips to secure your gear
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Still have questions?

Drop us an email and we'll get back to you during business hours. Please allow 48 hours for reply.

Contact

Welcome to APA's Packraft RoundUp

Plan Your RoundUp

Dates & Location

September 4-7, 2026

Millinocket, Maine
Chewonki's Big Eddy Campground

What's Included?

There is a non-refundable processing fee of $50 for all refunds requested after purchase is complete. A full refund less the $50 fee is available up to 14 days prior to the event. No refunds within 14 days of the event. You may transfer your registration to another participant with 48 hours notice.