Site Big Spring Brook Hut, Loop Katahdin Woods and Waters
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument | Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Camping and Huts
Type: GROUP HIKE TO
Enter dates to check availability
Site Details
- Condition Rating: Good
- Hike in Distance: 10
- Num of Beds: 4
- Proximity to Water: Riverfront
- Shade: Yes
- Site Access: Hike-In
- Bed Type: Bunk
- Capacity Rating: Group
- Check-Out: 11:00 AM
- Num of Rooms: 1
- Location Rating: Good
- Min Num of People: 1
- Site Rating: N/A
- Campfire Allowed: Yes
- Check-In: 1:00 PM
- Max Num of People: 6
- Water Hookup: No
Need to Know
General information
- Big Spring Brook Hut is approximately 10 miles from the north entrance gate to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. It can be reached by foot in the summer and ski/snowshoe in the winter.
- From the north gate to the Haskell Hut turnoff, the trail has gentle up and downs. From Haskell Rock to Big Spring Book Hut the ups and downs increase. There is a consistent downhill on an old logging road into the hut area. This trip is not recommended for beginner skiers/snowshoers or for nighttime use.
- Big Spring Brook Hut may also be accessed from the privately owned Bowlin Camps. Advance arrangements for parking at Bowling Camps should be made if you wish to access the hut from there. The distance is shorter, but more technical, and the trail may not be maintained.
- Back in vehicles to leave room for day users when parking at the north entrance. It is recommended to leave a shovel in parked vehicles in case there is a need to remove snow upon return.
- The trail has gentle ups and downs as it follows an old logging road. From mid-January to mid-March, the trail is generally packed and groomed on a weekly basis for cross-country skiing.
- Winter trail maps and information are available at https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/winteractivities.htm.
- Check snow conditions 24-48 hours prior to arrival.
Huts include:
- Woodstove with split wood outside
- Wood sleeping platforms
- Pit toilets with toilet paper
- Basic pots and pans for cooking
- Limited dinnerware and utensils
Emergencies
- The huts and trails are not patrolled and there is no cell phone service. Please establish your own emergency protocol and be prepared with maps, compass, first aid kit, and satellite phone or device.
- In the event of an emergency, call 911 from the nearest location with cell service.
Maintenance
- All facilities are user maintained. Please complete the following tasks before your departure:
- Clean all surfaces
- Clean all dishes, pots and pans. Store upside down.
- Leave No Trace and remove all food, trash and paper products to eliminate rodent attractants.
- Collect small kindling, split wood and fill wood box for next user.
- Sweep hut and pit toilet floor.
- Do not leave hut with large fire burning in woodstove.
- Close windows and door tightly.
- No cell phone service
- No electricity
- No lighting
- No potable water (bring a water filter)
- No running water
- No cooking stove or fuel provided
- No trash service. Practice Leave No Trace principles and carry out everything you carry in, including all trash and food.
- No mattresses
- No pets allowed in or around huts including the access trails
- No motorized vehicle or snowmobile access
- No tenting outside hut areas
- No exceeding hut capacity
- Snowshoers should stay off to the side of all groomed ski trails to avoid leaving unsafe holes in the groomed ski trails.
Photo Gallery