Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Katahdin Woods and Waters is a wild tract of northern Maine forest on the East Branch of the Penobscot River, just east of Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin. A gravel loop road with a sweeping view of Katahdin makes an easy day, and lean-tos, huts and the International Appalachian Trail make it a place for multi-day hikes, paddling and winter trips.

Fast facts

• Established: 2016, on land donated by Roxanne Quimby’s family foundation
• Size: about 87,500 acres (354 km²)
• Night sky: an International Dark Sky Sanctuary
• Long trail: the International Appalachian Trail runs through the monument
• Gateways: Millinocket, Medway and Patten
• Managed by: the National Park Service

The landscape

The monument is mixed northern forest of spruce, fir, birch and maple, cut by the East Branch of the Penobscot, the Seboeis River and the Wassataquoik Stream, with waterfalls and rapids along them. Low mountains such as Barnard Mountain look west across Katahdin Lake to Katahdin. Moose, black bears, beavers and loons live here, and fall colour is vivid.

Best time to go

Summer and early fall are best for hiking and paddling, with blackflies and mosquitoes in June. Late September and early October bring fall colour. Winter is long and snowy, averaging 73 inches (185 cm), for skiing and snowshoeing to backcountry huts.

Getting there and around

The monument is about 1.5 hours north of Bangor on Route 11. The south entrance is via Swift Brook Road, a private logging road, to the 17-mile (27 km) Katahdin Loop Road; the north entrance is off Route 159 near Shin Pond. Both entrances are gravel and usually open to vehicles from late May to late October; logging trucks have the right of way.

Things to do

Drive the Katahdin Loop Road to the overlook for a wide view of Katahdin and the surrounding mountains, and walk short trails such as the Lichen Trail or the Deasey Ponds trail. Orin Falls is a half-day hike to cascades on the Wassataquoik.

Barnard Mountain, 1,558 feet (475 m), looks across Katahdin Lake to the mountain. The International Appalachian Trail makes a two- to three-day trip through the monument between lean-tos and campsites, and paddlers run the East Branch of the Penobscot past falls and portages. In winter, skiers and snowshoers reach reservable backcountry huts.

Staying safe

Services are few and cell coverage is poor, so bring a map, extra food and a full tank of fuel. Logging roads carry heavy trucks: pull over and let them pass. Rivers have rapids and falls that must be scouted or portaged. Winter trips demand full cold-weather skills. Blackflies and ticks are thick in early summer.

Know before you go

There is no entrance fee. Campsites, lean-tos and huts are reserved in advance. Roads close to wheeled vehicles from about mid-November to late May. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm road access and site availability with the National Park Service before you go.

Coordinates

45.9765, -68.6915

Magnetic declination

15.5° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

Best seasons

Summer, Early fall (foliage), Winter (ski and snowshoe huts)

Difficulty

Easy to strenuous

Access / trailheads

Route 11 north of Bangor; south entrance via Swift Brook Road to the Katahdin Loop Road, north entrance off Route 159 near Shin Pond. Gravel, closed to vehicles mid-November to late May.

Water

Plentiful in streams and rivers; treat all water.

Cell / satellite coverage

Poor to none in most of the monument.

Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency

Emergencies: 911. Monument office: 207-456-6001.

Permits & regulations

No entrance fee. Reservations for campsites, lean-tos and winter huts.

Leave No Trace

Camp at designated sites, store food away from bears, pack out all trash, and keep fires in fire rings.