Camping permits are issued at the checkpoint upon entrance to the North Maine Woods area. Camping is allowed at designated, marked camping areas for a two week maximum time per campsite. The North Maine Woods map, DeLorme's Maine Atlas and Gazetteer, and maps at the checkpoints show campsite locations.

Due to the expanse of the area and staff limitations, campsites are available on a first come/first served basis. Reservations are not accepted.

There are two types of campsites available for use:

Authorized Campsites
While all campsites are rustic, there are steel firerings, cedar picnic tables, and toilets at authorized campsites. Fires may be carefully built in the steel firerings. A Maine Forest Service Fire Permit is not required.

Designated Fire Permit Campsites
These are locations where overnight camping is allowed but where building camp fires requires a Maine Forest Service Fire Permit. The locations of designated fire permit campsites are shown by a different symbol on the maps. These campsites have fewer facilities than authorized campsites. Although many fire permit campsites are not as attractive as authorized campsites, November hunters prefer sheltered locations rather than windswept lake shore campsites.

Pleasant River (Katahdin Ironworks)

Beautiful hike-in sites located along the Pleasant River, and a great access point for hiking on the Appalachian Trail or in Gulf Hagas area!  We didn’t stay at these sites, but came across them while hiking just off the AT. 

  

Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, with access to a clean latrine (with TP!).  No potable water is available, but the river is easily accessible for dishwashing and boiling/filtering. Firewood is available for purchase at the access gate at Katahdin Iron Works, but keep in mind you’ll have to carry it about ¾ of a mile, and across a river. 

  

For safety, no bikes or ATV’s are allowed beyond the Katahdin Iron Works gate, as these roads belong to the logging companies in the area and there can be many fast-moving logging trucks. The town of Milo is where you’ll find the closest grocery stores and gas stations, but it’s a bit of a drive so come prepared. 

  

Note about costs: Located in the Maine North Woods, getting here is quite a journey, but ooohh so worth it. It’s on the way to nowhere, you have to pay to get through the gate at Katahdin Iron Works, pay a daily access fee, and daily camping fee.  Note: If you are planning to backpack on the AT from this location, the pricing is very different, so be sure to ask!

Worth the hike-in, very close to the AT

This was an unexpectedly beautiful site and great access point for hiking on the Appalachian Trail or Gulf Hagas area! We were seeking a place to stay 1 night just before embarking on a backpacking trip. The woman at the Katahdin Ironworks gatehouse selected the site for us and couldn’t have picked a better one. 

  

Lots of privacy, beautiful view of the river, and we even were visited by a moose and her calf one evening! Each site has a covered picnic table and fire ring, with access to a private, clean latrine (with TP!) across the road. No potable water is available, but the stream is easily accessible for dishwashing and boiling/filtering. Firewood is available for purchase at the access gate at Katahdin Iron Works. 

  

For safety, no bikes or ATV’s are allowed beyond the Katahdin Iron Works gate, as these roads belong to the logging companies in the area and there can be many fast-moving logging trucks. The town of Milo is where you’ll find the closest grocery stores and gas stations, but it’s a bit of a drive so come prepared. 

  

Note about costs: Located in the Maine North Woods, getting here is quite a journey, but ooohh so worth it. It’s on the way to nowhere, you have to pay to get through the gate at Katahdin Iron Works, pay a daily access fee, and daily camping fee. Note: If you are planning to backpack on the AT from this location, the pricing is very different, so be sure to ask!

First time we've seen moose FROM our campsite!

Perfect campsite for day hiking! We got in late and left early but had a easy set up and plenty of space to explore. Gulf Hagas trailhead with in 10 minutes from site my site. Lots of other various campsite along rivers/lakes within the area. Bring cash for the checkpoints to enter the Katahdin Iron Works area managed by the Jo-Mary division of Northern Maine Woods. The historical site is just as cool as the miles of waterfalls and hikes with loads of dirt roads.
All campsites seem to have a picnic table, rustic shelter and fire pit.

Pleasant river camp and gulf hagas

We have loved Katahdin Iron Works for a long time, it really is how camping should be. No hookups/power/water. Bring everything in and bring everything back out with you. There are outhouses near the pleasant river sites. Last time we were up there the rule was no units over 44' total with truck and camper. These sites really are best for tents or very small campers.