Established Camping

Haskell Campsite — Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument

About

National Park Service

Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument

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

Experience Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument by paddling the East Branch Penobscot or Seboeis Rivers, hiking on the 30 miles of the International Appalachian Trail that pass through the monument or by biking former logging roads. Wildlife watchers might see moose, black bears or a variety of birds while driving the 16-mile Katahdin Loop Road. Winter activities include snowmobiling in designated areas, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.__

Facilities

Campsites, lean-tos and huts are dispersed throughout Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. 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 monument boundaries. Sites may have vault or pit toilets; other sites require following Leave No Trace practices for human waste. Most sites have picnic tables and a stone or metal fire ring.__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 designated 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, home of Mount Katahdin, 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.__

Fee Info

<p>Campsites and huts are free. However, to cover the cost of online services and the use of recreation.gov you will incur a non-refundable fee. You will pay $8 if your reservation is made through recreation.gov online and $9 if made at recreation.gov___s call center, (877) 444-6777 (toll free) or (606) 515-6777 (international) 10 a.m. ___ 12 a.m. (Eastern Time Zone).__</p> <p>Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument does not require an entrance fee.</p>

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Location

Haskell Campsite — Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument is located in Maine

Directions

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is located in north central Maine, approximately a 2-hour drive west of Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor and 1-hour drive north of Bangor, Maine. Both areas are served by regional airports.__ 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.__ __ North Entrance 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.____ 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.____ 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.____ 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.____ South Entrance and Katahdin Loop Road__ 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.____ 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.______ 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.____ 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.____ Traveling on Swift Brook Road 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.____ 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.__