Offering unparalleled canoeing, the Main River flows unobstructed from headwater ponds deep in the Long Range Mountains to the sea. It rushes through tundra-like barrens, deep, U-shaped valleys, forests of old-growth balsam fir and black spruce, grasslands of sedges, and a spectacular 14-mile canyon to reach the head of White Bay.

The Main is a challenging journey for the canoeist: Abrupt changes in gradient, channel width, and direction contribute to an almost continuously turbulent paddle.

A canoe trip down the entire lengthy of the Main will take three to four days. The headwaters are accessible only by floatplane or helicopter. Numerous local and regional outfitters provide fly-in and guide serves, as well as canoe and kayak rentals.