Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Quick answers

When is Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument open?

Usually Mon–Sun open 24 hours. Details

When is the best time to visit Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are July, August, and September. Details

Where do you park?

The park lists four parking areas with 21 spaces in all; the largest, Deasey Pond Trailhead, has 10. Details

When is Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument open?

• Mon–Sun open 24 hours

From 56 published days, 2026-11-08 to 2027-01-02; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

Spread across a wild landscape offering spectacular views of Katahdin, Katahdin Woods and Waters invites discovery of its rivers, streams, woods, flora, fauna, geology, and the night skies that have attracted humans for millennia.

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed), Picnic areas, Store / concessions, Visitor center.

When is the best time to visit Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are July, August, and September.

The weather works against it in January, February, March, April, October, November, and December.

The warmest month is July, with average highs near 74°F (23°C); the coolest is January, near 20°F (-7°C).

October is the wettest month, with about 5.1 in (130 mm) of precipitation in a typical October.

Typical weather, 25-year Meteorological and Solar Monthly & Annual Climatologies (January 2001 - December 2025). Data from NASA Langley Research Center POWER Project (CC BY 4.0)

Getting in to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument: fees and parking

The park lists four parking areas with 21 spaces in all; the largest, Deasey Pond Trailhead, has 10.

One accessible space is marked at Lynx Pond ADA Parking.

Official facts

On the Forest Service's 2023 map, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument's mapped point sits in the very low wildfire hazard class; that is a measure of the land, not a forecast.

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 89,562 acres (36,244 ha).

Designation: National Monument. Listed as "Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Managed by: NPS.

Critical habitat: Canada Lynx (threatened). Lynx canadensis. Endangered Species Act critical habitat (final rule published 2026-07-16, 91 FR 43732), mapped at or near this park.

Critical habitat: Atlantic salmon (endangered). Salmo salar. Endangered Species Act critical habitat (final rule published 2009-06-19, 74 FR 29300), mapped at or near this park.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1 · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Act critical habitat (FWS HQ ES Critical Habitat) · Dillon, Gregory K. 2023. Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States (270-m), version 2023. 4th Edition. Forest Service Research Data Archive

At the park

• Exhibits exhibit
• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Picnicking activity
• Fall foliage scenic feature
• Stargazing scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail

Before you go

Limits

In 2026, reservations are required for Sandbank Stream and Lunksoos Campgrounds, as well as Big Seboeis

Limits

Dogs are allowed on trails in the monument and must be on a leash no longer than 6ft (2m) at all times

⚠ Caution: Increased Logging Traffic Along Swift Brook Road

Be alert for logging trucks along Swift Brook Road between the monument boundary and the start of the Loop Road. Logging trucks will be transporting logs on Swift Brook Road to Roberts Road. Logging trucks ALWAYS have the right of way. Keep your headlights on. Never stop on roads or bridges. Pull over to the side of the road to allow trucks to pass by.

⚠ Caution: Hunting Season Begins

Hunting in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is now open for the 2026 season. Hunting is permitted on all monument land east of the East Branch Penobscot River. It is recommended that all visitors wear high visibility clothing regardless of their location within the monument until hunting seasons concludes. For more information about recreational hunting in the monument, please click below.

Getting there

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is located in north central Maine. Drive approximately 1.5 hours north of Bangor, Maine to reach Route 11 (Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway). Route 11 is the main route to the entrances to the park. Take Route 11 to Route 159 and Grand Lake Road to access the North Entrance. Follow Route 11 to Swift Brook Road to enter the South Entrance. Take Route 11 to Route 159 and American Thread Road to access the Seboeis Parcel.

Weather & when to go

Northern Maine experiences all four seasons. Summer temperatures range from 45-90F (7-30C). Fall temperatures range from 30-70F (-1-21C). Typically, the first frost is in mid-October and first snowfall begins in November and can continue through April with an average accumulation of 73 inches (185 cm). Winter temperatures range from 14-35F (-10 - 2C). Spring temperatures range from 30-70F (-1-21C).

Visitor center

Lunksoos Boat Launch

Visitor center

Lunksoos Boat Launch

Visitor center

North Gate

Visitor center

North Gate

Visitor center

Tekakapimək Contact Station

Visitor center

Tekakapimək Contact Station

Visitor center

Tekakapimək Contact Station

Visitor center

Tekakapimək Contact Station

Visitor center

Tekakapimək Contact Station — The contact station is generally open from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. These dates are subject to change depending on road conditions. Weather permitting, the contact station may be open through the end of October. In 2026, the contact station will be open through… — From exit 264 on Interstate 95, turn north on Maine State Route 158. After 0.2 miles, turn left on Maine State Route 11 (also known as Grindstone Road.) Follow Route 11 for 6.2 miles. Continue straight onto Swift Brook Road (gravel) for 5.1 miles. Turn right onto Contact Station Road (gravel) and continue driving until you reach Tekαkαpimək Contact Station. All roads within the monument are…

Facilities on the park map

4 benches, 1 first aid kit, 5 picnic areas, 13 restrooms, 9 visitor information, 1 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Big Seboeis Campsite Access this scenic primitive backcountry campsite located next to the East Branch of the Penobscot River by boating in or hiking in. This location cannot be accessed by vehicles. There is a pit toilet (outhouse) available for use approximately 200ft from the campsite. · 1 campsite · Accessibility: This site is not ADA accessible.
• Big Spring Brook Campsite Primitive backcountry campsite along the East Branch of the Penobscot River that is only accessible by boat. Big Spring Brook is located approximately 10.7 miles south of the bridge near Matagamon Wilderness Camps. Look for a small wooden sign located at the top of the cut bank that reads Big Spring Brook Campsite. This campsite is mostly shaded and has one picnic table and one metal fire ring. · 1 campsite · Accessibility: No ADA Campsites. No ADA accessibility. No toilets at the campsite. Paddle in by boat only.
• Big Spring Brook Hut A beautiful log cabin tucked away in the heart of the forest of Katahdin Woods and Waters NM. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov. Plan for primitive camping experience by packing in your own essentials, such as a sleeping surface, sleeping bag, and a camp stove! This hut is only opened for camping during the winter. Park at the North Gate and cross-country ski or snowshoe 9.15 miles · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Remote backcountry cabin reached by foot, bicycle, skiing or snowshoeing. There are five steps to enter the cabin. Small step up to enter the pit toilet.
• Esker Campsite Hike or bike approximately 2.2 miles from the Wassataquoik Gate to the Esker Campsite. This campsite is located in a forested area on the bank of Wassataquoik Stream. · 1 campsite · Accessibility: This is not an ADA site. Campers must hike or bike in on an uneven trail.
• Grand Pitch Lean-to A backcountry lean-to along the International Appalachian Trail and Grand Pitch Portage. Grand Pitch Lean-to is located 3.6 miles from Haskell Gate. · 1 campsite · Accessibility: No ADA campsites.
• Haskell Deadwater Campsite Backcountry campsite along the banks of Haskell Deadwater and the Haskell Rock Pitch Portage. · 1 campsite · Accessibility: There are no ADA Campsites and there is no ADA accessibility.
• Haskell Hut A small log cabin on a hill with a beautiful view of Haskell Deadwater. Here, you can enjoy the sounds and sights of the woods and the waters. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov and can be reserved by groups of up to 8 people. Camping in the hut is only available in the winter. The hut is reached by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. This is a primitive camping experience. Remember · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Remote backcountry cabin reached by foot, bicycle, skiing or snowshoeing. There are three steps to enter the cabin. Small step up to enter the pit toilet.
• Katahdin Brook Lean-to This campsite is tucked in just off the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) on Barnard Mountain Trailhead, approximately 0.4 miles from the trailhead. This is the closest hike-in campsite in the monument. Hike down a short spur trail to the site where a wooden lean-to, firepit, grass clearing, and a pit toilet are located. Moose, deer, butterflies, and a variety of birds all call this area home, · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not accessible, walk in site only. Requires walking down a small downhill with uneven terrain. Required walk in is (insert distance here). There is no vehicle…
• Lunksoos Campsites The Lunksoos campground area has a total of 7 campsites near the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Campsite 1 is an ADA site, sites 2-5 are individual sites, and sites 6 and 7 are group sites. Campers will park their vehicles in the parking lot and walk their equipment to their site. A vault toilet is located at the parking lot for all visitors to use. This campsite sits just above the Lunksoos · 7 campsites · Accessibility: Campsite 1 at Lunksoos has accessible features, including an adjacent parking space and a picnic table that accommodates wheelchair users. The vault toilet is…
• Lunksoos Mountain Lean-To A rugged lean-to site within the heart of the backcountry of Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. · 1 campsite · Accessibility: No ADA Campsites. Remote rustic backcountry lean-to.
• and 6 more

History

Opened

2016

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

• Park opened