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.

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.

## 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.

## 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.

## 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.

## Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general
information, please call: (207) 456-6001.

## Nearby Attractions

Baxter State Park (where Katahdin and the A.T. are located) is adjacent to the
western boundary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

## Charges & Cancellations

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.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>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. </p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>There are many ways visitors can experience Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Below are a few recommended activities:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/hiking-at-katahdin-woods-and-waters.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>Hiking:</strong></a> Choose a hike that meets your abilities to observe the biodiversity of the monument.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/biking.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>Biking:</strong></a> 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.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/camping.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>Camping:</strong></a> 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.</li>
<li><strong>Paddling:</strong> 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. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/wildlife-safety.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>Wildlife watching</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/birdwatching.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>birding</strong></a><strong>:</strong> 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.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/fishing-at-katahdin-woods-and-waters.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>Fishing</strong></a><strong>:</strong> Anglers enjoy catching brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass at the monument.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/maps.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>Sight seeing</strong></a><strong>: </strong>Visitors often enjoy the views of Katahdin (located in <a href="https://baxterstatepark.org/" rel="nofollow">Baxter State Park</a> ) and the scenic waterways at the monument.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/snowmobile.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>Snowmobiling</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/hunting.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>hunting</strong></a><strong> in designated areas:</strong> Snowmobiling and hunting are only allowed in specifically designated areas of the monument. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/winteractivities.htm" rel="nofollow"><strong>Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing</strong></a><strong>  in the winter:</strong> The monument provides a limited area of groomed cross-country trails at the North Gate for visitors to use.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>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. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/kaww/planyourvisit/bear-safety.htm" rel="nofollow">Brown metal food storage lockers</a> , 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 <a href="https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_protection/offices.html" rel="nofollow">Maine Forest Service</a>. </p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<ul><li><p> 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).</p></li><li><p> The Seboeis River and Wassataquoik Stream also create scenic viewpoints in the monument, such as Orin Falls.</p></li><li><p> Katahdin Woods and Waters is known for its dark sky. In 2020 it was certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.</p></li><li><p>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.</p></li><li><p>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.</p></li></ul>
<h2>Contact Info</h2>
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (207) 456-6001.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p><a href="https://baxterstatepark.org/" rel="nofollow">Baxter State Park</a> (where Katahdin and the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/appa/index.htm" rel="nofollow">A.T.</a> are located) is adjacent to the western boundary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. </p>
<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>
<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>

**Recreation Fee:** $0. Campsites and huts are free. Huts are only available
during the winter season.

**Reservation Fee:** $8 when booked online or $9 through the contact center at
(877) 444-6777 (toll free) or (606) 515-6777 (international), open 10:00 a.m.
to 12:00 midnight (Eastern Time Zone). The reservation fee covers the cost of
reservation services through Recreation.gov.

**Entrance Fee:** Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument does not charge
an entrance fee.

Located on the East Branch Penobscot River, Big Spring Brook Campsite provides a shady site for paddlers.

Brown wooden sign for Big Spring Brook Campsite on river bank.

A walk-to campsite along the East Branch Penobscot River, Upper East Branch Campsite is located a short distance from the north entrance.

Wooden picnic tables near metal fire ring at Upper East Branch Campsite.

Wassataquoik Campsite is a short distance from Wassataquoik Gate or Barnard Mountain Trailhead.

Wooden picnic table and stone fire ring at Wassataquoik Campsite along the International Appalachian Trail.

Stair Falls campsite along the East Branch Penobscot River has a beautiful view of the river.

A gravel and grassy campsite to the right of a river. The campsite has a wooden picnic table, a brown wooden sign, and a trail that leads into the woods with tall dense green trees.

Lunksoos Campground is located near the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Enjoy the scenic views it has to offer.

A view from the river facing the land. A canoe with two paddlers paddle towards a forest with vibrant red and yellow leaves on the canopies of the trees.

A welcome sign on Swift Brook Road on the way to Sandbank Stream Campground.

A close up of a National Park welcome sign on the way to Sandbank Stream Campground. It is wooden and says "Welcome to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument"

Lunksoos Campground offers one ADA campsite and parking.

A gravel parking lot in front of a green and shaded campground. An ADA parking space is in front of the campground.

Hike or bike into Wassataquoik Campsite from Wassataquoik parking lot or by the IAT.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Directions

Reviews

Campgrounds

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Camping and Huts