katahdin-woods-and-waters | ME | Find park

Mirror reflection of Lunksoos Mountain and trees within the water of the river.

The East Branch of the Penobscot River is filled with wildness and beautiful scenery for the adventurous few who travel down it.

Autumn foliage along a dirt logging road.

Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument has arguably the best autumn foliage out of any national park unit.

Mailing Address:

PO Box 446

Patten, ME 04765

contact-details

Phone Number: 207-456-6001 Voice

Email Address: kaww_info@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

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.

park designation:National Monument

Directions:

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is open year-round. From mid-November to late May, the north entrance and Katahdin Loop Road are closed to wheeled vehicles. Two gates on the Swift Brook Road leading to the southern sections of the monument are managed by a neighboring timber company and may be closed to wheeled vehicles as well from mid-November to late May.

North Entrance

The north entrance to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is reached by turning on Messer Pond Road (also known as New River Road) from Maine Route 159/Grand Lake Road. This entrance is typically open to wheeled vehicle traffic from late May-late October.

Exceptions:

Late October to Late May (November 2, 2023 - May 24, 2024)

South Entrance

The south entrance to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is reached via Maine Route 11 and Swift Brook Road. This entrance is typically open to wheeled vehicle traffic from late May-late October. Swift Brook Road is a private logging road. Two gates across this private logging road leading into the monument are managed by a neighboring timber company that determines when road conditions are appropriate to open the gates for the summer season.

Exceptions:

Late October to Late May (October 31, 2023 - May 25, 2024)

Katahdin Loop Road

The Katahdin Loop Road is typically open to wheeled vehicle traffic from late May-late October. The Loop Road is accessed via Maine Route 11 and Swift Brook Road. Swift Brook Road is a private logging road and a neighboring timber company manages the two gates on the road leading into the monument. The timber company determines when the gates will open and close for the season depending on road conditions. The National Park Service manages the gate to the Katahdin Loop Road.

Exceptions:

Late October to Late May (November 3, 2023 - May 24, 2024)

Weather Information:

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).