Overview

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is located in Maine’s north woods. Katahdin Woods and Waters protects part of an extraordinary natural and cultural landscape: the mountains, woods, and waters where the East Branch of the Penobscot River and its tributaries, including the Wassataquoik Stream and the Seboeis River, run freely. Campsites, lean-tos and huts located throughout the monument provide opportunities to stay overnight while hiking, biking, paddling and enjoying other recreational activities. 

Facilities

Campsites, lean-tos and huts are dispersed throughout Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Huts are only open for reservation and stay during the winter season. All roads within the monument are unpaved. Some sites can only be reached by hiking, biking, paddling, skiing or snowshoeing. There are no flush toilets within the monument boundaries. Campsites may have vault or pit toilets; other sites require following Leave No Trace practices for human waste. Most campsites have picnic tables and a stone or metal fire ring. Brown metal food storage lockers , also known as bear boxes, are available in some campsites. All odorous items must be stored in a bear-resistant canister or in a contained vehicle if there is no food locker available. Campfires may require a permit from the Maine Forest Service. 

Natural Features

•  The East Branch of the Penobscot River flows all the way through the monument, about 25 miles from north to south. The first 10 miles drops over 200ft, creating a series of waterfalls and rapids (Stair Falls, Haskell Rock Pitch, Pond Pitch, Grand Pitch, the Hulling Machine, and Bowlin Falls).

•  The Seboeis River and Wassataquoik Stream also create scenic viewpoints in the monument, such as Orin Falls.

•  Katahdin Woods and Waters is known for its dark sky. In 2020 it was certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

• Forest, waterways, and wetlands provide critical habitat and corridors for plants and wildlife, including threatened species such as Atlantic salmon, Canada lynx, and rare mussels and butterflies.

• Geological formations are throughout the monument. Haskell Rock is a 20 ft tall conglomerate bedrock pillar in the East Branch. Popular hikes include trails on Barnard, Deasey, and Lunksoos Mountains.

Recreation

There are many ways visitors can experience Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Below are a few recommended activities:

• Hiking: Choose a hike that meets your abilities to observe the biodiversity of the monument.
• Biking: Bike on historic logging roads (current and former) within the monument that display signs of logging activity that dates back as early as the 1800s.
• Camping: Sleep under the stars. Katahdin Woods and Waters is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the first to be certified in the state of Maine and in New England.
• Paddling: Paddlers can experience the scenic hydraulic features that are ecologically and culturally significant within the monument. The streams and rivers within the monument provide important habitat for spawning and rearing federally endangered Atlantic salmon. 
• Wildlife watching and birding: The monument provides a landscape for a wide variety of wildlife. Birds can be seen and heard year-round. Pollinators, reptiles, and amphibians are most active during the spring and summer months. However, large mammals like moose, black bear, and Canada lynx are often what visitors have their cameras ready for.
• Fishing: Anglers enjoy catching brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass at the monument.
• Sight seeing: Visitors often enjoy the views of Katahdin (located in Baxter State Park ) and the scenic waterways at the monument.
• Snowmobiling and hunting in designated areas: Snowmobiling and hunting are only allowed in specifically designated areas of the monument. 
• Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter: The monument provides a limited area of groomed cross-country trails at the North Gate for visitors to use.

Nearby Attractions

• Baxter State Park (where Katahdin and the Appalachian Trail's northern terminusare located) is adjacent to the western boundary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. 

• Penobscot River Trails

Contact Info

Important Notices

• Campsites at Upper East Branch, Lunksoos and Sandbank Stream can be accessed by road during the summer. Upper East Branch and Lunksoos campsites require a short walk from the parking area to the campsites. Sandbank Stream is the only location that will accommodate small RVs and campers. All other sites and lean-tos require hiking, biking or paddling for access.

• Roads with in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument are typically open to motorized vehicles from late May to mid-November. Exact dates vary depending on road conditions. At other times of year, access is by foot or bicycle only. Check current conditions. 

  All vehicles (including bicycles, e-bikes, and other motorized vehicles) must follow established speed limits when traveling within Katahdin Woods and Waters NM. The Katahdin Loop Road and Seboeis River Road speed limit is 15mph. All other roads within Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument have a 25mph speed limit. Sometimes, vehicles may need to travel at slower speeds depending on current road conditions.

• It is not possible to drive from the north entrance to the south entrance through the monument. Some sites may be accessed only from the north and others only from the south, unless you are paddling or hiking long distances.

• Do not bring firewood from more than 50 miles away. Help protect forests from the spread of hidden, tree-killing insects by obtaining firewood from local vendors near the monument. Please visit Don't Move Firewood for more information.

• Pets are permitted at campsites and must be leashed at all times. Leashes must be six feet or less in length. Pets are not permitted in lean-tos or huts.

• All scented items (food, trash, coolers, toiletries, cooking materials, and cleaning supplies) must be stored inside your sealed vehicle or in an NPS wildlife-proof locker at your campsite or picnic site. Help us keep the wildlife wild. 

Notifications and Alerts

• Haskell and Big Spring Brook Huts now have their own page on Recreation.gov: Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Huts, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument - Recreation.gov. Reservations for stays between mid-January and mid-March will open in mid-December.

Available Activities

• Hiking - Hiking
• Photography - Photography
• Winter Sports - Winter Sports
• Snowshoeing - Snowshoeing
• Cross Country Skiing - Cross Country Skiing
• Birding - Birding
• Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
• Biking - Biking
• Canoeing - Canoeing
• Mountain Biking - Mountain Biking
• Paddling - Paddling
• Picnicking - Picnicking
• Scenic Drive - Scenic Drive

Directions

<p>Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is located in north central Maine, approximately a 2-hour drive northwest of Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor and 1.5-hour drive north of Bangor, Maine. Both areas are served by regional airports. </p><p>You can access all parts of the monument from I-95. Take exit 244 (Medway) or exit 264 (Sherman) to access Maine Route 11. Once you exit I-95, you will travel on Maine Route 11 to access the monument. If you are southbound on I-95, you can also access the monument from exit 276 (Island Falls). Maine Route 11 is the main access route to the monument. It is also known as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway. </p><p> </p><p><strong>North Entrance</strong></p><p>From Exit 244 (Medway), head west for approximately 0.8 miles towards Medway and turn right onto Route 11 (also called Grindstone Road). If you cross the East Branch of the Penobscot River, you have missed the turn for Route 11 north. Continue north on Maine Route 11 to Patten. Turn left onto Maine Route 159 (also called Shin Pond Road). Maine Route 159 continues for approximately 11.6 miles and then becomes Grand Lake Road. Continue on Grand Lake Road for another approximately 12.7 miles, then turn left onto New River Road (also known as Messer Pond Road) to access the North Entrance.  </p><p>From Exit 264 (Sherman), follow signs for Maine Route 11 north towards Patten. In approximately 10 miles, turn left onto Maine Route 159 (also called Shin Pond Road). Maine Route 159 continues for approximately 11.6 miles and then becomes Grand Lake Road. Continue on Grand Lake Road for another approximately 12.7 miles, then turn left onto New River Road (also known as Messer Pond Road) to access the North Entrance.  </p><p>From Exit 276 (Island Falls), proceed west to Patten on Route 159 for approximately 8 miles. At the junction of Maine Route 159 & Maine Route 11, follow the above directions to access the North Entrance by Maine Route 159 and Grand Lake Road.  </p><p>From the intersection of Maine Route 11 & Maine Route 159 in Patten, it is approximately 25 miles (approximately 40 minutes driving time) to the North Entrance. To access the monument, take the second left turn onto New River Road after you cross the East Branch of the Penobscot River near Grand Lake Matagamon. New River Road dead-ends at a parking area near Haskell Gate in approximately 4 miles. After October, vehicle traffic ends at North Gate parking area.  </p><p><strong>South Entrance and Katahdin Loop Road</strong> </p><p>From Exit 244 (Medway), head west for approximately 0.8 miles towards Medway and turn right onto Maine Route 11 (also called Grindstone Road). If you cross the East Branch of the Penobscot River, you have missed the turn for Maine Route 11. Follow Maine Route 11 for approximately 20 miles and then turn left onto Swift Brook Road (it is a gravel road). Use caution with this turn as sight distance is limited. The Swift Brook Road will lead you to the Katahdin Loop Road in approximately 10 miles.  </p><p>From Exit 264 (Sherman), follow signs for Maine Route 11. To reach the south entrance and the Katahdin Loop Road, turn left at the next intersection (onto Grindstone Road) to stay on Maine Route 11. In approximately 5 miles continue straight onto the gravel road when the paved road curves left. This gravel road will lead you to the Swift Brook Road and to the Katahdin Loop Road.   </p><p>From Exit 276 (Island Falls), proceed west to Patten on Maine Route 159 for approximately 8 miles. At the junction of Maine Route 159 & Maine Route 11, follow the above directions for access to either the Swift Brook Road or the Katahdin Loop Road.  </p><p>From the intersection of Maine Route 11 & Swift Brook Road in Stacyville, it is approximately 12 miles to the Katahdin Loop Road. Plan your trip by viewing a map of the local area and follow signs within the monument proper.  </p><p><strong>Traveling on Swift Brook Road</strong></p><p>Use caution when traveling on the Swift Brook Road, which is a gravel road. All gravel roads in the area are shared with logging and equipment trucks. Logging trucks always have the right of way. It is important to drive slowly, keep to the right side of the road, and yield to oncoming trucks. If you are traveling north on Maine Route 11, use caution when making the left turn onto Swift Brook Road as there is limited sight distance.  </p><p>Please be considerate of your speed as you pass the residential area near the intersection. There is no public transportation to the monument. Mobile phone and GPS coverage is spotty and unreliable. There is no public transportation to the monument. </p>

Cancellation Policy

<p>The reservation fee is non-refundable. Please cancel your reservation if you do not plan to use it. You may cancel or modify your reservation online up to one day prior to your reservation start date. </p>

Contact Information

Phone: 207-456-6001

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip